Our Maternal Mortality Reparation Facility Program Focused on Black Women
Through our impact investing vehicle, the Maternal Mortality Reparation Facility for Black Women, we believe we can help repair the mortality gap currently damaging black and brown women, and, by extension, the communities they belong to. Maternal mortality in Black women is a health issue. It is also a humanitarian issue that affects Black women, not only in the U.S., but Black women globally, in the Diaspora.
Our Maternal Mortality Reparation Facility is a more effective take on Pledges to support Black Women
Our report and the Facility specifically address how to reduce disparities in the U.S., but the adoption of this model in African countries would generate significant positive impact, confirming our solution as a humanitarian issue. As we stated at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, the fate of Black economic development rests in the hands of Black women.
Investments in this sector
Of $5.699 billion invested in US-based heath care technology so far in 2022, only $18 million has been allocated to Black maternal mortality, further branding this industry as biased. With the decision to restrict access to birth control and care, the Supreme Court imposed additional penalties on Black women. The fact that a racist industry refuses to invest at appropriate levels necessitates public intervention to maximize social and financial impact. We suggest the Federal Reserve, under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act, be the primary participant in the Maternal Mortality Reparation Facility for Black Women.
Ethical Concerns
While Goldman Sach's "$10 billion dollar Pledge" directed towards Black Women is noteworthy, several Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton administration economic policymakers have been former Goldman employees. Thus, the firm, fined $5 billion in 2016 and $2.9 billion in 2020 by the DOJ, bears some responsibility for the failure of economic policy in those years to address Black maternal mortality. Relying on organizations that are ethically and ethnically suspect, with a proven track record of damaging Black economic interests, is inappropriate.
INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
"Digital health investment around the world hit an all-time high of $57.2 billion in funding in 2021..." Given increased attention to this sector, investment returns are predicted to be elevated, as "low hanging fruit" are harvested. The Maternal Mortality Reparation Facility for Black Women, created with the goal of reducing Black women's maternal mortality, will facilitate access to food and nutrition, transportation, housing, and healthcare. Our work relieves human suffering, promoting relief and support in a time of crisis. Providing critical resources needed by Black women in childbirth will save lives that should never have been at risk of loss in the first place.
Underfunding Investments in Black Maternal Mortality - 2022
Black Maternal Mortality relative to White Maternal Mortality - 2007 to 2020