Help Us Build A Dream For The Tiniest New Yorkers
Help Us Build The 1st Birth Center In Queens
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A birth center is a stand alone facility that provides holistic prenatal, birth, and postpartum services in the community. Our vision is for families to receive consistent welcoming, inclusive, and supportive care that is personalized, and tailored to families unique needs and experiences.
The birth center would not only address the immediate healthcare needs of families disproportionately effected by the maternal health crisis but also work to rebuild communities that have been set aside and broken by a system not designed for them and provide them with the resources that they need.
Our goal is not to fix the Black Maternal Health crisis but we hope to be an aid in the solution. The ultimate goal would be to improve maternal outcomes, reduce infant mortality rates, and empower families to thrive not just survive.
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We have had the privilege of working alongside some of New York City's most dedicated doulas. We've witnessed firsthand the impact of mistreatment on families, and we've also seen the transformative effects when patients and clients are given autonomy. Simply put, magic happens. Families gain the confidence to trust themselves throughout the process, free from the fear of unnecessary interventions.
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Birth will be just the beginning of the services we provide. We will offer a wide range of wraparound services that not only meet the needs of families but also align with their interests. We are deeply passionate about what matters to the community, and we strive to shape our offerings based on their values and preferences.
The added bonus will be it is close to home. Decreasing the number of families that are having births outside of the community.
Help Us Build The 1st Black-Owned HMBANA Milk Bank In The Country
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To foster equitable access to donor milk and breastmilk donation opportunities for BIPOC families through culturally competent education, inclusive healthcare partnerships, and community-driven initiatives that prioritize trust, representation, and empowerment. Most importantly for the leadership to be reflective of the communities we serve.
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As a lactation consultant of color, I am part of a demographic that makes up less than 3% of the field. I have personally witnessed the significant disparities in access to care and the widening gap in education about receiving and donating breastmilk within BIPOC communities. When I attended my first HMBANA Milk Bank conference, I was struck by the fact that out of hundreds of professionals, fewer than 10 were people of color. The leadership across the country does not reflect the diversity of the families we serve, and I am determined to change that.
My vision is to create a future where BIPOC families have equitable access to breastmilk education, donor milk, and opportunities for breastmilk donation, while reshaping the leadership landscape to truly reflect the diversity and needs of our communities.
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Our goal in creating a BIPOC-led donor milk bank is to address the systemic disparities in access to donor milk and breastmilk donation education, while fostering leadership that reflects the diversity of the global majority. This initiative will be the first of its kind, but it will not be the last, as we aim to inspire a movement of inclusive, representative leadership across the country. We will house this milk bank within our birth center so that it will be directly accessible to the community. We believe the leadership in lactation and milk banking must do a better job of representing the people it serves, ensuring equity and empowerment for all.
The Divine P.L.A.N
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To unite historically black fraternity and sorority organizations in fostering meaningful collaboration, leveraging our shared values and collective strength to address community needs, empower future generations, and create a lasting legacy of service, equity, and impact. Together, we can directly address the disparities that is felt in our communities. We can transform our communities into thriving hubs of abundance, resources, and growth.
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In 2007, when I joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., I witnessed firsthand the profound impact we, as an organization, had in our communities. Our initiatives such at Operation BigBookBag and Project CradleCare demonstrated the power of collective effort, unity, and service. Over the years, my involvement expanded beyond Sigma Gamma Rho, and I had the opportunity to participate in impactful programs led by other historically black fraternity and sorority organizations. For instance, I was inspired by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s Stork's Nest, which provides essential support to expectant mothers, and the Brothers for Mothers program spearheaded by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., which uplifts maternal health initiatives.
These experiences were transformative. They reminded me of the extraordinary potential we have when we collaborate across organizations within the historically black fraternities and sororities.
As a lactation consultant, I noticed something remarkable after putting out a call to my fellow colleagues: many of them were proud members of historically black fraternity and sorority organizations, representing diverse communities across the country. It was a powerful realization—our collective presence and shared commitment to health, wellness, and community empowerment could create a national movement. That’s when the Divine Milk Project was born.
The Divine Milk Project began as a vision to unite lactation professionals within the Divine Nine to address disparities in breastfeeding and maternal-child health. However, this idea quickly evolved. It became clear that the scope of what we could achieve together was much broader.
This led to the expansion of The Divine P.L.A.N.—a strategic framework for fostering collaboration among historically black fraternity and sorority organizations, with a focus on health-related initiatives that uplift and transform communities. The Divine PLAN embodies:
Partnership across organizations, breaking silos to address critical health and wellness challenges.
Leadership in creating innovative programs to tackle disparities and promote equity.
Advocacy for holistic health solutions, from breastfeeding support to mental health awareness.
Nurturing a legacy of sustainable change and changemakers that empower our communities for generations to come.
Together, through the Divine Milk Project and The Divine P.L.A.N., we can amplify our collective voice, build healthier communities, and continue the legacy of service that the historically black fraternity and sorority organizations were founded upon.
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Our goal is to ensure our communities don’t just survive but truly thrive. While the maternal health crisis is a pressing issue, many solutions are still missing from the conversation. We aim to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the table, bridging gaps and ensuring critical resources reach the families who need them most. Along the way, we are committed to both learning and teaching, fostering growth at every step.
The solutions I envision for our communities often lack leadership that reflects my identity and experiences. I am determined to change that narrative by addressing this dynamic and creating pathways to connect families of color with careers and opportunities they may not yet know exist.
Meet The Dream Team
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Charline Ogbeni, MSEd, IBCLC, Full Spectrum Doula
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You
