Culture by Design: Black Birth Symposium

Now in its fifth year, the Black Birth: Maternal & Infant Health Symposium returns as a transformative, two-day convening dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing disparities in Black maternal and infant health. Co-presented by GE HealthCare and the City of Milwaukee Health Department, the Symposium brings together community members, researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocates at a pivotal moment for equity-focused health initiatives.

With Black women facing pregnancy-related mortality rates three to four times higher than white women, and Black infant mortality in Milwaukee nearly three times higher, the urgency for coordinated action is clear. The Black Birth Symposium serves as a platform for advocacy, education, and systemic change, amplifying innovative solutions and strengthening pathways to healthier outcomes for Black families in Milwaukee and beyond.

Through the leadership and support of presenting, leading, and sustaining partners, the Symposium continues to drive community-centered solutions and collective impact—igniting change and shaping a healthier future for Black mothers and babies.