A DOCUMENTARY FILM

A documentary film addressing the high maternal mortality rate of Black women in the United States

In “High Risk,” we explore natural methods and best practices proven to protect Black mothers from prenatal to postpartum care. The ultimate goal of our documentary is to empower Black women through education, making them aware of numerous strategies to use with confidence to advocate for themselves and their babies.

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Our team has interviewed mothers, midwives, doulas, and healthcare professionals to learn how Black women of today continue the maternal legacies of their African forebears. We consider how the current healthcare system can improve by treating Black mothers with the dignity, respect and care that they deserve.

FEEDBACK FROM VIEWERS

“Last night I attended the premiere of the documentary High Risk Movie. This body of work is so masterfully put together and powerful. If you care about Black mothers and Black children, it's a must support and see project. I relived my journey bringing life into this world and believed I had excellent care to now learning the danger the medical staff put me and my children in. If anyone you know is pregnant or planning to have a child, please seriously consider getting a midwife or doula.

A bonus is that I got to experience this with my cousin visiting from DC who has a passion for health and wellness.

Born Logic Allah you and your team really outdid yourself with this one!”

-K. HARRISON (Facebook Review)

Went to this film premiere last night. Born Logic Allah is a creative Genius. I truly hope this film receives international attention. Midwives, Doulas and anyone practicing counter culture....this is a great educational/enlightenment work of art.

-T. BURNETTE(Facebook Review)

I am so proud of the time, effort, and research put into this documentary. This is a subject matter that is not talked about enough. In fact, it’s often swept under the rug. Every family needs a copy of this in their home. Essentially it could save the lives of many black mothers and babies.

-E. JACKSON (Facebook Review)

RECAP VIDEO: THE PREMIERE SCREENING - SUNDAY • OCTOBER 29, 2023 SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

"It's basically a public health and human rights emergency because it's been estimated that a significant portion of these deaths could be prevented."

-Dr. Ana Langer, director of the Women and Health Initiative at Harvard

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the facts

The United States, despite its advanced economy, has one of the worst maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the developed world. These troubling statistics are largely the result of Black mothers and infants dying at higher rates than their white counterparts.

Black mothers in the US are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related death than non-Hispanic white women. These fatal outcomes are preventable. Laws and policies severely restricting Black women’s access to quality healthcare too often result in the rising MMR. Unfortunately, Black women have little control over these factors.

In “High Risk: Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies,” we explore Black women’s strategies for taking control of their maternal health to produce positive outcomes.

OUR INTERVIEWS

With the production of this film, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with families and birth workers from across the country who have taken the time to share their thoughts with us.

did you know?

Many stories of Black maternal mortality feature women begging for help as doctors ignore them, or even laugh at them. Doctors frequently are unaware of their own bias. Even well-intentioned doctors can be accidentally racist.

Black maternal mortality in Georgia is 66 per 100,000. This is significantly higher than the nationwide black maternal mortality rate of 47.2 per 100,000, and more than three times as high as the overall nationwide maternal mortality rate of 20.7 per 100,000.

Black women have higher rates of stress-related diseases, including those that can cause negative birth outcomes. Black women are more likely to have preterm labor, and black babies are more likely to die before they reach their first birthday. A 2008 study found that racism is a major factor in these disparities.

Doctors and other care providers are more likely to call CPS on black families. Some hospitals threaten to call CPS when women do not consent to interventions they do not want. This phenomenon is much more prevalent among black families. This can deter black women from seeking care, expose them to stress and trauma, and lead to lasting suffering for their children.

One study found that half of medical residents think that black people feel less pain, or feel pain differently, than white people. When doctors believe racist myths, racist treatment becomes inevitable.

Hospitals give black babies formula nine times more frequently than white babies. Hospitals that serve black women are less likely to provide breastfeeding support or evidence-based breastfeeding care. Breastmilk can be life-saving for the most vulnerable infants, especially those born prematurely. Black babies are more likely to die and more likely to be born prematurely. Hospitals are denying them potentially life-saving care.

NICOLE CARR PH.D

Nicole Carr is an assistant professor of English at Texas A&M San Antonio. The concept for “High Risk” grew out of Carr’s own health experiences as a Black mother of two children, one a son delivered stillborn. Carr’s journey as a mother informs her scholarship on Black maternity and Black Feminisms.

She is currently at work on her first book, I Am Not Your Mammy: Black Feminist Mothering in the 21st Century. Partial support for “High Risk” is supported by Texas A&M San Antonio’s College of Arts and Sciences and the English Department.

BORN LOGIC ALLAH

Logic is a husband, father of three, a business owner and an independent filmmaker. As co-owner of Melaneyes Media, an independent film company that produces knowledge based, culturally enriching films and videos. He is the director of:

• Message to the People: A Story of Malcolm X

• Walk on the River: A Black History of the Alamo City

• Walk on the River 2.0: The African Influence in San Antonio, TX

OUR INTERVIEWS

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