BLACK MOTHERS’ BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION RECEIVES GRANT TO HELP ERADICATE RACIAL BREASTFEEDING DISPARITIES

PRESS RELEASE 6/10/2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Kiddada Green 800-313-6141 Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association DETROIT – Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) has received a $400,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The funds will be used to strengthen organizational capacity by building management systems, expanding existing programs and developing new programs, leading to sustainable growth to improve the quality of life for vulnerable, poverty stricken children, while causing social change for the greater good. The funding period began on May 1, 2013 and ends on June 30, 2016.BMBFA’s community approach to breastfeeding support has been deemed innovative due to its explicit focus on narrowing the disparity gap that exists in breastfeeding rates.  In Michigan, only 50.9 percent of black children ever receive breast milk as compared to 68.5 percent of white children.  Strengthening BMBFA’s infrastructure will lead to long-term increases in breastfeeding rates and work to create a monumental social impact that restores the emotional, psychological and physical health of the Detroit community.”What a wonderful opportunity to service a very deserving community with culturally appropriate support for breastfeeding, leading to lifelong health and wellness,” says Kiddada Green, founding director of BMBFA.  Since 2007, BMBFA has strived to increase the number of black mothers who breastfeed and the amount of time spent doing so. BMBFA is the only organization of its kind in the state of Michigan. So what’s the big deal? Why is breast milk so important to African Americans? African Americans have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the U.S. Yet, they are hit hardest by health problems that breastfeeding protects against: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, asthma and allergies – just to name a few. Building the capacity of BMBFA will help to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates of African Americans. BMBFA’s expanding and new programs include: 1) Developing a replication model for Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Club, a mother-to-mother support group that facilitates peer support, 2) Partnering with St. John Hospital to increase the number of black lactation consultants in Michigan through the Mother Nurture Lactation College, 3) Creating web-based seminars for professionals with an interest in maternal-child-health, focused on culturally competent breastfeeding support for mothers and babies. Overall this project will enhance BMBFA’s services to eliminate breastfeeding disparities for African American families in Detroit by strengthening organizational capacity. # # #   Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2007.  BMBFA’s mission is to increase awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding throughout the African American community. BMBFA will improve the quality of life and enhance self reliance by educating, providing valuable resources, offering on-going support, and joining forces with other organizations that share a similar interest. For more information, visit www.BMBFA.org.The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.