About This Event
State and local elected officials and policymakers joined practitioners, advocates, and researchers in a round-table discussion on the state of Black maternal health in New York. They discussed what legislation exists to address areas of need, while looking forward to upcoming legislative priorities.
Watch a video recording, view photos, and learn more about this event
Additional information about speakers and panelists, relevant legislation, research, news articles, community organizations, and this event’s co-sponsors is available below:
Speaker Bios
Eboni K. Williams, Attorney/Author/Journalist
Eboni K. Williams is an American lawyer, author and television host. She hosts and is executive producer of Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams, a nationally syndicated court television show. Judge Eboni is the youngest Judge in the current landscape.
She also hosts the nightly news show, The Grio with Eboni K. Williams. Additionally, she hosts and is executive producer of the NAACP Image Award winning, Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams.
In addition to guest hosting The View and The Breakfast Club, Williams hosts a true crime series that is featured on OWN and Investigation Discovery networks. Williams starred on season 13 of“The Real Housewives of New York City,” becoming the show’s first Black cast member ever.
Her new bestselling book, Bet on Black: The Good News About Being Black in America hit shelves in January 2023.
Eboni is a proud and active member of the Pi Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is also an appointee to the NYC Commission on Gender Equity.
Williams holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Black and African Studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Benedict College.
She currently lives and owns in Harlem, USA.
NY State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Majority Leader
Andrea Stewart-Cousins holds the positions of President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, and she is the Senator for the 35th District. As the longest-serving Democratic Majority Leader in New York State Senate history, and the first woman and African American woman to occupy this role, her tenure is distinguished by significant legislative achievements and a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs of New Yorkers.
Born and raised in New York, Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ journey in public service began well before her election to the State Senate in 2006. Representing Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant and the city of Yonkers she has been a consistent advocate for the underserved and working families. Her previous roles include serving as a Westchester County Legislator, where she was Majority Whip and Vice-Chair, and as the first African American Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers.
Stewart-Cousins’ legislative portfolio is diverse and comprehensive, covering critical areas such as voting reforms, gun safety, LGBTQ rights, the justice system, labor rights and combating sexual harassment in the workplace. Her leadership in passing robust tenant protections and affordable housing packages has also been a hallmark of her career.
Her extensive legislative work and community service have earned her numerous recognitions, including being named a “Trailblazer of Democracy” by Eleanor’s Legacy and receiving awards such as the “Dolores Huerta Award” and the “Champion of Choice” honor. She also has been scored one of highest ranks for environmental protections by the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Stewart-Cousins holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Pace University, teaching credentials from Lehman College, and a Master of Public Administration from Pace University. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, a Public Administration Honor Society. Her diverse professional background includes roles in customer service, journalism, and education.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a resident of Yonkers, was married to the late Thomas Cousins and is a proud mother and grandmother. Her legacy continues to be defined by her unwavering dedication to public service and her transformative impact on New York State legislation.
NYC Council Member Adrienne E. Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council
Adrienne Eadie Adams is the Speaker of the New York City Council. Elected in January 2022 by her colleagues, she leads the most diverse and the first women-majority Council in New York City history as the first-ever African American Speaker. Elected to the City Council in November 2017, she is also the first woman to represent District 28, which encompasses the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, and South Ozone Park.
Speaker Adams was raised in Hollis, Queens, as the daughter of two proud union workers. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to serving in the City Council, Speaker Adams worked professionally as a Corporate Trainer at several Fortune 500 companies, specializing in Executive Training, Telecommunications Management, and Human Capital Management, and worked as a Childhood Development Associate Instructor.
Speaker Adams first entered public service as a member of Queens Community Board 12, the second largest community board in the borough. She was appointed Chair of the Education Committee, advocating for education equity and opposing school closures and co-locations. In recognition of her leadership, Speaker Adams was elected to three consecutive terms as Chair of Community Board 12, serving from December 2012 to November 2017. She advocated for improved delivery of services, economic opportunities, and better quality of life in Southeast Queens.
As a community advocate, Speaker Adams served in leadership positions for community-based organizations and advisory committees. She was appointed by then Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to the Queens Public Library Board of Trustees, overseeing a 62-branch institution that maintained the highest circulation of any municipal library system in the country. Additionally, she was appointed to the Local Planning Committee for the Jamaica Downtown Revitalization Initiative and served as Co-Chair of the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council. In these roles, Speaker Adams guided more than $150 million in funding and investments for workforce and business development, education, health and wellness, housing, and transportation for the Downtown Jamaica area.
Speaker Adams is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority for Black college-educated women. She is also a longstanding member of the NAACP and the National Action Network.
Speaker Adams is a wife, mother, and grandmother (“cool Nona”) within her beloved blended family.
NYS Senator Samra G. Brouk, Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health
Senator Samra G. Brouk represents the residents of New York’s 55th District in Monroe County, including East and West Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Pittsford, East Rochester, and the eastern portion of the City of Rochester.
Senator Brouk serves as Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee and is working to revolutionize New York State’s mental health and substance abuse crisis response so that those in need receive compassionate, therapeutic care. “Daniel’s Law” S2398 passed the Senate Mental Health Committee in 2024.
In her first term, the Senator passed legislation to create a 9-8-8 substance abuse and mental health crisis lifeline, improve maternal mental health screenings, and maintain diagnostic authority for thousands of mental health practitioners. She has also passed Budgets that invest in our mental health workforce, delivering the first COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustment) in over a decade. In her second term, the Senator passed legislation to create the Student Lifeline Act, to authorize Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCAT) to bill Medicaid for their services, to establish a Black Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, and to provide for the licensure of school psychologists.
Additionally, Senator Brouk has introduced mental health legislation and has long championed expanding access to doula care as a way to address New York’s maternal health crisis. She is working to improve the racially disparate maternal health outcomes in our community and state, and sponsors legislation to make it easier to access the emotional, physical and informational support provided by birth doulas.
She has introduced legislation to address access to child care and to ensure public health insurance coverage for all children eligible from 0 to 6 years old; to address elder abuse, improved mental health care for the geriatric population, and aging in place in mental health housing; and legislation to enact the Bank of Rochester Act.
Senator Brouk was born and raised in the City of Rochester and surrounding suburbs before earning her B.A. in Psychology at Williams College. Before her election to the Senate, Senator Brouk’s dedication to public service led her to join the United States Peace Corps, working as a health educator in rural Guatemala. And as a leader in non-profit community development, she spent a decade building educational, environmental, and senior services initiatives in her own community and across New York State.
NYS Senator Lea Webb, Chair of the Senate Committee on Women’s Issues
Born and raised in the Southern Tier, Senator Lea Webb is a proud graduate of Binghamton public schools and a first-generation graduate of SUNY Broome and Binghamton University. At Binghamton University she earned a degree in Neuroscience. Prior to joining the Senate, Senator Webb served as a member of Binghamton City Council. She also worked as an educator at Binghamton University in the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, where she developed diversity and inclusion training, research and programs for faculty, staff, and students.
Senator Webb was elected in November of 2022 as a member of the New York State Senate. She represents residents of New York’s 52nd district, which includes Cortland County, Tompkins County and part of Broome County including the City of Binghamton. Senator Webb is dedicated to making New York more equitable for working-families, small businesses, and ensuring that everyone has a better quality of life.
She serves as Chair of the Senate Women’s Issues Committee and is proud to be leading the fight with her Senate colleagues to ensure that New York remains a sanctuary for reproductive freedom. In addition, she is a member of the Agriculture, Health, Higher Education, Procurement & Contracts, Mental Health, and Cities 2 committees.
Senator Webb successfully passed legislation to establish a BIPOC task force for missing women and girls who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. She passed legislation saving the Ithaca carshare and other non-profit carshares in New York and to ban CO2 Fracking throughout the state.
As a life-long community organizer, Senator Webb believes deeply in expanding opportunities for civic engagement. She is a national trainer with Vote Run Lead, training thousands of women across the country on how to run for elected office. She was the Co-Chair/Co-Founder of the Black Millennial Political Convention and a Founding Board Member of Local Progress. Senator Webb was recognized by Oprah “O” Magazine as a leader of tomorrow and was honored with the President’s Award by the Broome-Tioga Branch of the NAACP for her significant contributions to her community, among other awards.
Senator Webb is a champion for the Southern Tier in Albany. She is fighting for equitable and fair public school funding, a strong local economy, and support for our working families and small businesses.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Majority Whip of the NYS Assembly
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn encompassing Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the New York State Assembly Majority Whip, Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and serves on numerous Assembly committees.
Born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn as the daughter of Haitian immigrants and heir to Haiti’s slave abolitionist Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn is the first Haitian American woman elected in New York City.
Since Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn became a legislator in 2015, she has introduced over 200 pieces of Legislation, 34 of which became law, and has co-sponsored over 250 others.
As an Assemblymember and District Leader, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken and ardent advocate on issues concerning her Assembly District and all New Yorkers.
As the New York State Assembly Majority Whip, Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn also works to ensure that her fellow legislators are united on passing bills that aid their constituents and uplift all New Yorkers.
As a new mother to a healthy baby boy, who previously lost a son in 2016 after being turned away from a hospital in a high-risk situation, Bichotte Hermelyn is committed to ending the maternal healthcare crisis and addressing maternal mortality disparities disproportionately affecting Black and minority women. The Assemblymember sponsored the Jonah Bichotte Cowan Law (named after her late son), which establishes requirements for treatment when a mother comes to a hospital with concerns about being in pre-term labor.
She is currently sponsoring/co-sponsoring several bills to ensure all women receive the high-quality maternal healthcare they deserve, including Mickie’s Law which would ensure mothers who encounter fetal death get the treatment that they need to remove the dead fetus, especially in the event of an emergency.
She earned an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, a BS in Electrical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo, a BS in Mathematics in Secondary Education, and a BT in Electrical Engineering both from Buffalo State College.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn lives in Brooklyn where she is happily married to her husband Edu Hermelyn and enjoying motherhood with their son Daniel Jean Jacques Hermelyn. She recently graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 2024, earning a Juris Doctorate.
Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, Deputy Majority Leader of the NYS Assembly and Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus
Michaelle C. Solages, a fifth-term legislator, is a lifelong resident of Elmont. Assemblywoman Solages represents the communities of Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Elmont, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, the Village of Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Stewart Manor, and sections of Franklin Square.
Michaelle was elected to represent the Twenty-second Assembly District in 2012 and is the first person of Haitian descent to be elected into the New York State Legislature. She currently serves as the Assembly Deputy Majority Leader as well as Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. Through her work, she strives to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and protected equally under the law throughout New York State.
Michaelle has continued to advocate for Nassau County’s middle class and small businesses by fighting for property tax relief, equitable state funding of schools, and increased public transportation services on Long Island. Michaelle is also nationally recognized as a leading advocate in improving access to quality childcare, implementing a universal pre-k framework in Long Island, and establishing innovative ways to invest in families with young children across the age spectrum from birth to kindergarten. Michaelle resides in Elmont with her family and her dog.
NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis, Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity
Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, NY which includes the diverse neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park. Council Member Louis has fought for the affordability and livability of New Yorkers as a champion for fair and affordable housing.
During her tenure in the New York City Council, she prioritized critical legislation to protect survivors of Domestic Violence; she spearheaded policies to improve public safety measures, launched equitable contract opportunities for MWBEs and nonprofits, and expanded STEM programs in public schools. In addition, her staunch advocacy on maternal health and quality mental healthcare, helped launch a citywide response in underserved communities garnering over $5M in funding.
As Chair of the Committee of Women and Gender Equity, she continues to fight for access to housing affordability, quality education, reproductive rights, and equitable healthcare for District 45, Brooklyn, and the City of New York. A first-generation Brooklynite, Council Member Louis was raised in an immigrant and pro-union household; and continues to utilize her platform to tackle social issues to advance fair representation and justice for all.
Sideya Sherman, NYC Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice
Sherman has served as commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity, which she has led since its inception in 2022, and will now expand its scope to become MOERJ. In her new role, she will lead the implementation of groundbreaking racial justice amendments to the City Charter and continue to oversee the New York City Young Men’s Initiative, the New York City Unity Project, and the New York City Commission on Gender Equity, as well as multi-agency entities like the New York City Pay Equity Cabinet and the New York City Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity.
Sherman brings nearly two decades of equity-focused community and economic development experience to the role, after serving as executive director of the New York City Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE) and executive vice president for community engagement and partnerships at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
In her time at TRIE, Sherman worked across over 60 city agencies and offices to advance new programs, policies, and initiatives that center equity in the city’s ongoing pandemic response and recovery. At NYCHA, she implemented new high-impact resident programs, established innovative, cross-sector partnerships, and garnered new resources to support resident health, social services, youth, economic opportunity, and community engagement initiatives.
Prior to her career in government, Sherman served diverse communities in the nonprofit sector, working at the Municipal Art Society of New York, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the Lower East Side Business Improvement District.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utica College and a master’s degree in urban affairs from Hunter College.
Dr. Leslie A. Hayes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Family & Child Health, NYC Health
Leslie A. Hayes, M.D. is the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family and Child Health in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Most recently, Dr. Hayes served as the Chief of Adolescent Medicine at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Faculty Scholar in Health Equity at the Cornell Center of Health Equity and Diversity Center of Excellence, Cornell University.
Dr. Hayes is a thought leader in the healthcare sector, with a strong belief in the power of the family unit to affect change through health literacy and empowerment. Her career has focused on public health: her clinical practice has been within complex New York City health systems that provide care to underserved populations in community-based clinics, as well as hospital-based academic settings.
Dr. Hayes received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and M.D. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (now Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) in New York City. She completed her pediatric residency at The Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, and her adolescent medicine fellowship at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She holds board certification with American Board of Pediatrics, Subspecialty in Adolescent Medicine.
Dr. Hayes has held leadership roles in several Pediatric Departments and professional organizations. She has served as Director of Adolescent Medicine, Medical Director of School-Based Health, and Adolescent Medical Advisor of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at various healthcare institutions in New York City. She was Clinical Associate Professor at St. George’s University School of Medicine (2011-2016) and Long Island University (2010-2012), Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York University (1995-1999), and adjunct faculty instructor in pediatrics at New York University (2004-2011).
Dr. Hayes has been named one of “The Best Doctors in New York” and has been featured in “How to Find the Best New York Metro Area’s Top Doctors” since 1997. She has been honored by numerous organizations for her excellence in medicine.
Growing up in Harlem, Dr. Hayes’ mentor was her pediatrician, who served as Associate Chief of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, Office of Child Development, and played an integral role in her devotion to health advocacy.
Nathifa Forde, Executive Director of NYC Her Future
Nathifa Forde is the founding chair and executive director NYC Her Future. She previously served as the acting executive director for the YMI. Forde was responsible for overseeing the ongoing operations and procedures for YMI. Additionally, she strategically develops policies, programs, and partnerships that support youth and young adults of color in eliminating disparities and structural barriers that continue to negatively impact their pursuit of a high quality of life.
Forde has spearheaded the creation of programs that allowed the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York City Department of Education (DOE) students access to job opportunities and paid internships in the healthcare sector serving over 900 students through the creation of the Health Career Credentialing Program at CUNY and the Public Health Career Exploration program with the Department of Health and Public Hygiene. Additionally, Forde has fostered a new partnership between the Nursing Department at Medgar Evers College and the Black Women’s Blueprint to increase the number of practicing doulas in underserved communities to assist with maternal-infant mortality rates. Forde has also developed programs to empower young women in partnership with DOE’s My Sister’s Keeper initiative.
Before joining YMI in 2020, she was the assistant director of Strategic Partnerships with the NYC Center for Youth Employment, where she focused on developing inclusive workforce strategies for special populations. She was a National Urban Fellow at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In that role, she utilized her extensive background as a youth developer to incorporate youth voices and choices into the grant-making processes following the 2015 unrest in Baltimore, MD. She has had a decade-long career in the NYC non-profit sector in various roles, from a performing arts educator to a program director.
Forde is a proud alumna of Medgar Evers College where she earned a bachelor’s of science in Public Administration and is currently an adjunct professor within the Public Administration Department. She is also an active member of the department’s Women in Government lecture series. Forde holds a master of public administration degree as a National Urban Fellow from Bernard M. Baruch College.
Forde reports to NYC Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner Sideya Sherman, with NYC Her Future housed within the portfolio of Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar.
DeNora Getachew, President of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
DeNora Getachew is the Chief Executive Officer of DoSomething, a 30-year-old national nonprofit for youth-centered impact. DoSomething fuels young people to change the world by taking action on the issues most pressing to them.
DeNora is a democracy lawyer who has long fought for free and fair elections and a multiracial democracy. Her experience ranges from serving as New York Executive Director of Generation Citizen, to leading issue campaigns at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and Citizens Union, and directed policy for then-Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
DeNora has been appointed to several prominent commissions and task forces, including the New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission, the New York State Civic Readiness Task Force, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams’ Transition Team. She serves as Chair of the Board of Higher Heights for America, a nonprofit that harnesses Black women’s political power and leadership potential. DeNora is President of The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and has served on the boards of directors for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the New York Junior League, and Union Settlement, as well as on John Jay College’s Pre-Law Institute Law Advisory Board.
Dr. Sascha James-Conterelli, Program Director of Nurse-Midwifery at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Sascha James-Conterelli is a clinical associate professor. She received her bachelor’s in nursing from Howard University and her master’s in midwifery and doctorate from NYU. She has been a practicing midwife since 2002. Dr. James-Conterelli has practiced in both the public and private sectors. As a political advocate and policy leader she continues to open the door to many exciting opportunities for midwives to be recognized as invaluable stakeholders in perinatal care. She is also a strong advocate for equity and access to healthcare for women and birthing people, in particular, Black and Brown people.
Dr. James-Conterelli is a past president of ACNM’s New York State affiliate: New York Midwives. She is also honored to continue to have opportunities to provide knowledge and expertise to many national and local policies such as the development of perinatal regionalization for New York State, serving as co-chair on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Maternal Mortality and Racial Disparities Task Force as well as a member of New York State’s Maternal Mortality Steering Committee and New York State Maternal Mortality Review Board. Prof. James-Conterelli also served as a member of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 Maternity Task Force. Nationally, Dr. James-Conterelli is the Chair of the Fellows Board of Governors for the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and the secretary of the Foundation for the ACNM.
Dr. James-Conterelli is recognized as a national leader for maternal mortality and racial disparities. She also understands the importance of global outreach and has dedicated efforts towards assisting the midwives and the perinatal community in her home of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Dr. Cyrus McCalla, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at One Brooklyn Health
Dr. Cyrus O. McCalla is Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at One Brooklyn Health, Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and also Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn New York where his focus is Maternal Health.
Prior to joining Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Dr. McCalla was Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at New York University School of Medicine based at Woodhull Medical Center. He was previously, Director of Maternal and Fetal Medicine and Director of Obstetrics at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn New York.
Dr. McCalla completed his Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center , following his completion of Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Bachelor of Science Degree, Summa Cum Laude from Medgar Evers College, City University of New York.
Dr. McCalla is the recipient of many Honors and Awards including the American Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Award, The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Professor of the Year Teaching Award and twice the CUNY Medgar Evers College Distinguished Alumni Award. He is currently Chairman of the Board for the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies and is also an active member of several professional and social organizations, including the New York Obstetrical Society, the Comus Club Inc., the Manhattan Guardsmen, the Reveille Club and Alpha Sigma Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He is a Mentor and Scholarship Sponsor for many students in the fields of Science and Medicine.
Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute
Rosemonde Pierre-Louis is Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, where she leads a team of scholars, clinicians, researchers, policy experts and other professionals who are committed to creating new knowledge about the root causes of poverty, developing evidence-based interventions to address its consequences, and rapidly translating their findings into action through policy and best practices.
Rosemonde previously served as Chief Operating Officer at the McSilver Institute, responsible for day-to-day operations of the institute, as well as the administrative, finance, external affairs and communications departments. She was the host of season two of the McSilver Institute podcast, Black Boys and Men: Changing The Narrative. From 2014-2016 Rosemonde served as Senior Adviser to the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE). Previously, she served as Commissioner of Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV), which oversees the citywide delivery of domestic violence services and operates 5 Family Justice Centers which provide comprehensive services to survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and trafficking.
From 2006-2013 Rosemonde served as Manhattan Deputy Borough President, responsible for overseeing several of the Office’s key initiatives related to transportation, community board reform, sustainability and criminal justice. Prior to becoming Deputy Borough President, she held leadership positions at public interest and community development organizations such as Sanctuary for Families, Network for Women Services, and Harlem Legal Services. Rosemonde also served for six years as an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law.
Rosemonde has been a leading voice, advocate and mobilizing force on issues impacting the Haitian community. Following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she was appointed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to serve on the five-member U.S. delegation at the United Nations Haiti Donor Pre-Conference in Martinique, West Indies. Rosemonde co-founded and currently serves as Chairperson of the Haitian Roundtable, which is dedicated to redefining the narrative about Haiti and recognizing excellence in the Haitian community.
Dr. Dilice Robertson, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Dilice Robertson is a clinical associate professor. She is a nationally board-certified psychiatric mental nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist in the child and adolescent population in psychiatric mental health nursing. Dr. Robertson has spent her clinical career working across the lifespan in psychiatric residential treatment, substance use treatment, community mental health, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital settings. Her clinical work spans focus on early interventions in the pediatric population in addressing psychiatric presentation by unearthing the core causes of functional decline. In the adult population, her work has centered on a whole person approach-holistic, traditional, and integrative psychiatric care to promote wellness for patients accessing psychiatric mental health services. In academia, lifespan courses have been her area of focus, scaffolding learning from child to the adult populations and from simple to complex presentations for students. In addition to academic instruction, Robertson engages with students in clinical instruction in the outpatient and inpatient clinical settings to reinforce didactic theories.
Before joining NYU as faculty, Robertson was instrumental in the development and updates to the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program curriculum at Yale School of Nursing. She was honored with the Annie Goodrich Award for Excellence in Teaching at Yale School of Nursing in 2020.
Robertson earned her DNP from Fairfield University, MSN from Yale University, MA from Southern Connecticut State University, and BS from Southern Connecticut State University.
Dr. Natasha J. Williams, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and NYU Langone Health’s Institute for Excellence in Health Equity
Natasha J. Williams, EdD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and Institute for Excellence in Health Equity. She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan, Master of Public Health (MPH) from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, and a doctorate in health education and behavioral studies (EdD) from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her work is grounded in community-based translational research in minoritized populations and demonstrates a long-term commitment to patient-oriented research to advance health equity. Williams has published in top peer reviewed journals including, Chest, Sleep Health, JAMA Open Network, American Journal of Public Health, and others. She has presented at dozens of scientific conferences and been featured in media outlets and magazines.
In 2020, Dr. Williams served as Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) of two NIH Rapid Acceleration and Diagnostics for Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) studies to address disparities related to COVID-19. In addition, she was a member of the NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Inclusive Participation Work Group. Since 2021 she has served as the Contact PI for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-funded Maternal Health Community Implementation Project (MHCIP). MHCIP engages communities to implement evidence-based interventions in addressing poor maternal outcomes such as hypertension, obesity and gestational diabetes in minoritized populations.
The program at NYULH called Just Mothers is currently being implemented at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal health system in the country, and at the Family Health Centers at NYULH (part of a national network of Federally Qualified Health Centers) in the Sunset Park and Flatbush neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Dr. Williams’ approach to community engagement with diverse partners has been widely recognized for its potential impact in advancing health equity.
Legislative Priorities
New York State
Sponsors: Senator Webb/Assemblymember Clark
Bill Nos.: S7702A/A8207A
Requires the New York State Department of Health to convene a maternal health care and birthing standards workgroup to make recommendations to improve maternal health care and birthing standards.
Sponsors: Senator Webb/Assemblymember Paulin
Bill Nos.: S7700A/A08230
Creates a prenatal and postpartum informational mobile app for Medicaid recipients.
Sponsor: Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn
Bill No.: A04596
Prohibit interference with access to reproductive health care services and places of religious worship, allowing people to find relief in the courts if harmed by such action.
Sponsors: Senator Scarcella- Spanton/Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn
Bill Nos.: S5579/A06042
Requires insurancers to provide coverage for transvaginal ultrasounds during pregnancy.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Solages
Bill Nos.: S2039A/A02870
Directs the New York State Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the New York State Office of Mental Health and other relevant stakeholders, to develop guidance and standards to address maternal depression, including clinical treatment, training, and informational materials.
Sponsors: Senator Cleare/Assembly Member Gonzales-Rojas
Bill Nos.: S348C/A00361
Creates a grant program to provide funding to New York State abortion providers and non-profit organizations facilitating access to abortion care.
Sponsors: Senator Cleare/Assemblymember Joyner
Bill Nos.: S3219A/A01087
Creates an awareness and education program on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of uterine fibroids and the elevated risk for women of color.
Sponsors: Senator Fernández/Assemblymember Rosenthal
Bill Nos.: S3529A/A05990
Restricts the use of certain substances in menstrual products including, but not limited to, talc, lead, and mercury. This legislation also bana the use of such restricted substances as a fragrance, colorant, dye, preservation, or other intentionally added ingredient for the presentation of products.
Sponsors: Senator Hinchey/Assemblymember Rozic
Bil Nos.: S1003A/A00733
Requires the New York State Commissioner of Health to collect and publish a list of policy-based exclusions to ensure that individuals have access to information about whether the hospital, or hospitals, in their area provides the care they seek prior to admission and to identify health care deserts in regions of the state.
Sponsors: Senator Krueger/Assemblymember Rosenthal
Bill Nos.: S158B/A04983
Protects patients’ health information that is collected and sold, requiring either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual’s health information.
Sponsors: Senator Persaud/Assemblymember Solages
Bill Nos. S5991A/A07606
Requires maternal healthcare facilities to permit doulas into the operating room while a cesarean section is being performed.
Sponsors: Senator Persaud/Assemblymember Solages
Bill Nos.: S5992A/A06168
Requires maternal health care facilities to provide expecting and new mothers access to their doulas
Sponsors: Senator Webb/Assemblymember Sillitti
Bill Nos.: S3610/A05576
Requires all hospitals and birth centers to provide information about the facility to be included in informational material provided to prospective maternity patients
Sponsor: Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn
Bill No.: A07204
Establishes protocols for stillbirths and a stillbirth research database.
Sponsors: Senator Webb/Assemblymember Paulin
Bill Nos.: S7690/A8168
Provides Medicaid coverage for remote ultrasound scans and remote fetal non-stress tests.
Sponsor: Senator Cleare/Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn
Bill Nos.: S08176/A09008
Provides $20 million to establish a public awareness campaign for maternal depression.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn
Bill Nos.: S07780/A09035
Will increase the amount of information about integration doula services in birthing delivery teams and healthcare practices and facilities, while recommending metrics for more formally Designating Doula Friendly Spaces.
Sponsors: Senator Webb/Assemblymember McDonald
Bill Nos.: S7740A/8205A
Requires the Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC) to regulate any changes in perinatal services offered by general hospitals in New York State.
Sponsors: Senator Bailey/Assemblymember Jackson
Bill Nos.: S6045/A9168
Establishes a fetal and infant mortality review board to study fetal and infant mortality and morbidity and make recommendations on policies, best practices, and strategies to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity within New York city.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Paulin
Bill Nos.: S5517A/A2367A
Requires the advisory council on maternal mortality and morbidity to undertake a review of the Cesarean births at hospitals in the state, requiring two licensed midwives to be on the advisory council.
Sponsors: Senator Myrie/Assemblymember Jackson
Bill Nos.: S2898/A04017
Creates centers of maternal and childcare services in Kings County and Bronx County to coordinate community-based organizations and community health workers to combat the maternal health crisis.
Sponsor: Senator Brouk
Bill No.: S7779
Creates a community doula expansion grant program to support community-based doulas and community-based doula organizations; provides funding for recruitment, training, certification, supporting, and/or mentoring of community-based doulas.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Paulin
Bill No.: S1877/A2794
Requires the department of health to develop maternal health care providers to distribute written information about episiotomy to maternity patients.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Solages
Bill No.: S1876/A5465
Establishes a work group to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Clark
Bill No.: S2359/A2944
Establishes a maternal mental health workgroup within the office of mental health to study and issue recommendations that will improve the impacts that maternal mental health disorders have on women and birthing people, children and families.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas
Bill No.: S5975/A5291
Repeals the requirement that applicants must pass an examination in order to qualify as a licensed master social worker.
New York City
Sponsor: Council Member Farah Louis
Requires the NYC Department of Health to keep a public record of the work being done by the City’s Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.
Sponsor: Council Member Lynn Schulman
Requires the NYC Department of Health to convene quarterly meetings with key Council Members and the chair of the public hospital system to review ongoing efforts to combat maternal mortality, with a specific focus on issues impacting hospitals.
Sponsor: Council Member Mercedes Narcisse
Calls on New York State to require public disclosure on the demographics on Cesarean sections and to reduce unnecessary use of the procedure on disproportionately affected populations.
Sponsor: Council Member Gale Brewer
Calls on New York State to ease systemic barriers in opening birth centers in New York City and New York State.
Sponsor: Council Member Crystal Hudson
Declares the month of March as Blood Clot Awareness Month in the City of New York.
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Requires the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to implement a three-year pilot program to establish postpartum support groups focused on the mental health of postpartum individuals.
Recently Enacted Legislation
New York State
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Paulin
Bill No.: S8751/A9098
Relates to informational leaflets for maternity patients; requires certain annual statistical information to be presented on the department’s website for the most recent five years for which such data is available.
Sponsors: Senator Cleare/Assemblymember Walker
Bill Nos.: S201/A02656
Pregnant women may enroll in the State health insurance exchange at any time without penalty.
Sponsors: Senator Addabbo/Assemblymember Gunther
Bill Nos.: S1965A/A3865A
Requires certain health and casualty insurers to provide coverage for prenatal vitamins.
Sponsors: Senator Hoylman-Sigal/Assemblymember Solages
Bill Nos.: S6674A/A7790A
Amends the Insurance Law, in relation to expanding coverage requirements for human donor milk.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Solages
Bill Nos.: S1867/A5435
Establishes the New York State Community Doula Directory and develops specific admittance criteria for doulas providing services to Medicaid patients.
Sponsors: Senator Brouk/Assemblymember Bichotte-Hermelyn
Bill No.: S4981B/A1297B
Requires a healthcare provider to inform the patient of the options for treatment following confirmation of fetal demise
New York City
Sponsor: Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez
Requires the NYC Department of Health to provide newborns and their families information about health resources following a birth.
Sponsor: Public Advocate Jumaane Williams by request of the Bronx Borough President
Requires an agency designated by the mayor to administer public education on the city’s standards for respectful care at birth, as well as information regarding: the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, reasonable workplace accommodations for persons who are pregnant or were recently pregnant and caregivers; rights for a person who is pregnant or was recently pregnant under the disability benefits law and paid family leave benefits law, earned safe and sick time act, and temporary schedule change law; and how to access information on appointing a health care proxy.
Sponsor: Council Member Farah Louis
Requires the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to post the annual Maternal Mortality and Morbidity report on its website.
Sponsor: Council Member Louis
Requires the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to provide education on polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis, by posting information on its website. DOHMH is also required to submit a report regarding education efforts on both conditions to the mayor and speaker of the council.
Sponsor: Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez
Requires the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish a program to train doulas and provide doula services to residents of marginalized neighborhoods in all five boroughs at no cost to the resident. Doulas will be trained in birth equity, trauma-informed care, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, navigating the hospital environment, and support services available to low-income birthing people and their families. DOHMH will also be required to submit a report to the Mayor and Speaker of the Council on the merits of the program.
Sponsor: Council Member Crystal Hudson
Require an agency designated by the Mayor to provide education and information regarding services offered by doulas and midwives, the evidence-based benefits of such services, and free and low-cost resources related to such services in the city. The administering agency is also required to submit to the Mayor and Speaker of the council, and post online, a report describing the methods of targeted outreach used.
Sponsor: Council Member Julie Menin
Requires the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to conduct research on sexual and reproductive health disparities within the city and provide sexual and reproductive health services. In providing these services, DOHMH will have the duty to provide outreach, education, and support to individuals, especially low-income individuals and those without health insurance, regarding issues related to sexual and reproductive health. DOHMH will also make referrals to affordable and accessible services related to contraception, abortion, family planning, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and counseling, testing, and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Sponsor: Council Member Althea Stevens,
Requires an agency designated by the Mayor to administer a public education program that informs the public regarding maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is required to report on the total births in the city, disaggregated by vaginal and cesarean sections, and whether the pregnancy was considered low risk. DOHMH is also required to issue recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, including efforts to reduce the risks associated with unplanned cesarean delivery, and efforts to address inequities across patient demographics.
Sponsor: Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez
Requires the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health to conduct a public outreach and education campaign to raise awareness about resources available at the city, state, and federal level addressing mental health challenges faced by parents, including perinatal mood disorders. The campaign would be required to be available in the designated citywide languages.
Sponsor: Council Member Kevin C. Riley
Requires the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to create informational materials that identify the effects of pregnancy loss on mental health and to refer mental health resources available to individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss. The Commissioner is required to distribute physical copies of these materials to all facilities operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that provide reproductive healthcare and to post electronic copies on the department’s website. Additionally, the Commissioner must, to the extent practicable, inform family planning clinics within the city and hospital departments primarily providing reproductive healthcare about the availability of these materials and make physical copies available to them upon request.
Sponsor: Council Member Shahana Hanif
Calls on New York State to mandate anti-bias training for all medical students.
Sponsor: Council Member Althea Stevens
Calls on New York State to pass the Chisholm Chance Act, which would establish a plan to address the severe maternal morbidity crisis in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Sponsor: Council Member Julie Menin
Calls on New York State to increase Medicaid reimbursement to cover eight pre- and post-natal visits, as well as delivery support by doulas.
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Calls on New York State to require health insurance plans to develop and implement a maternal mental health quality management program to promote access to affordable and comprehensive maternal mental health services.
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Calls on New York State to mandate all accredited psychiatry residency programs to offer a one-year, post-residency fellowship program specifically focused on Perinatal Mental Health (PMH).
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Calls on New York State to require obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) to conduct maternal mental health screening during pregnancy and postpartum, and to require Medicaid to cover such services.
Resolution 0405
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Calls on New York State to mandate Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to collect and report prenatal and postpartum depression screenings and follow-up data using HEDIS measures.
Sponsor: Council Member Linda Lee
Designates May annually as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of New York and calls on New York State to enact S.156/A.6603, which would make the same designation Statewide.
Government Reports
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Preventing Pregnancy-Related Deaths,” September 2004
New York State Department of Health, Maternal Mortality Review Board: “New York State Report on Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in 2018-2020,” March 2024
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maternal Mortality Review Committee: “Pregnancy-Associated Mortality in New York City, 2016-2020” January 2023
Research & News Articles
“Black women face a maternal health crisis. Advocates want to make that a US election issue.” Reuters, October 19, 2024
“Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month: The Tale of A Childless Mother by Robyn Greene Arrington.” Bill Hendrix Management, October 15, 2024
“NYC Council speaker vows to keep maternal health a top priority after recent childbirth deaths.” CBS New York, October 9, 2024
“Another Woman Dies During Childbirth at a Troubled Brooklyn Hospital.” The New York Times, October 3, 2024
“Hochul signs law to expand coverage for pregnant people over insurance industry objection.” Crain’s New York Business, October 3, 2024
“America is trying to fix its maternal mortality crisis with federal, state and local programs.” Associated Press, September 4, 2024
“Specific steps we must take now to reduce maternal mortality.” American Medical Association, September 4, 2024
“Europe offers clues for solving America’s maternal mortality crisis.” Associated Press, August 22, 2024
“Midwives can play key role in aiding America’s maternal mortality crisis.” ABC News, July 11, 2024
“New study finds most maternal-related deaths in the US happen after birth.” ABC News, June 5, 2024
“Childbirth deadlier for Americans, especially Black women, study finds.” The Washington Post, June 4, 2024
“Maternal deaths are dropping, but these moms still face high risk.” USA Today, May 2, 2024
“Mental health conditions leading cause of maternal mortality.” The University of Kansas Medical Center, April 19, 2024
“Can Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Solve the Black Maternal Health Crisis?” Columbia University, April 17, 2024
“We can make birth safer for Black mothers. Here’s how.” Vox, April 15, 2024
“Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 8, 2024
“US maternal deaths could be lower than we thought — but there are still far too many.” Vox, March 16, 2024
“How bad is maternal mortality in the U.S.? A new study says it’s been overestimated.” NPR, March 15, 2024
“Why New York Has Faltered in Making Childbirth Safer for Black Mothers.” New York Times, January 7, 2024
“The women racing to stop America’s maternal mortality crisis.” (Video) The Washington Post, December 13, 2023
Community Organizations
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG)
— acog.org
ACOG is a professional organization for obstetricians and gynecologists. Their website has information for patients and healthcare providers on maternal mental health, including guidelines for screening and treatment.
Ancient Song Doula Services
— ancientsongdoulaservices.com
Ancient Song Doula Services is a grassroots organization that provides doula care and support to women and families of color. They offer prenatal, birth, and postpartum support, as well as childbirth education classes and lactation support.
The Birthing Center of NY
The Birthing Center of NY is a full-service birth center that provides comprehensive care to women and families. They specialize in supporting women of color and have a team of midwives and doulas who provide culturally sensitive care.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a national organization that works to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women. They provide advocacy and resources to address systemic barriers to care and promote reproductive justice.
Black Women’s Health Imperative
— bwhi.org
The Black Women’s Health Imperative is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the health and wellness of Black women. Their website includes resources on maternal mental health.
The Blue Dot Project
The Blue Dot Project is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about maternal mental health and reduce stigma around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Their website has a range of resources, including a tool kit for healthcare providers, a directory of support groups, and resources for partners and families.
The Brooklyn Perinatal Network
The Brooklyn Perinatal Network is a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to women and families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They offer free childbirth education classes, doula services, and support groups for women of color.
Healthy Start Brooklyn
— growingupnyc.cityofnewyork.us/programs/healthy-start-brooklyn
Healthy Start Brooklyn is a federally funded program that provides support and resources to women and families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They offer free services, including prenatal and postpartum care, doula support, and lactation support.
Irth (as in Birth, but drop the B for bias)
An app where you can find prenatal, birthing, postpartum and pediatric reviews of care from other Black and brown women.
The Loveland Foundation
The Loveland Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy and mental health resources to Black women and girls. They offer therapy grants and a directory of culturally competent therapists who serve the Black community.
MAMA LOVE
MAMA LOVE is an online platform that helps pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people identify dangerous symptoms that need timely follow up. MAMA LOVE is not intended to replace a medical provider and it does not diagnose problems. The platform is intended to be an education and communication tool that can be used by patients, family members, and birth workers to help identify and address medical, mental health, and social factors that have the potential to increase the risk for maternal morbidity and mortality.
Maternal Mental Health Now
Maternal Mental Health Now is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that provides resources and support for perinatal mental health. Their website has information on maternal mental health, a directory of mental health professionals, and resources for families and caregivers.
New York Midwives (NYM)
New York Midwives (NYM) was formed in 2000 as the professional voice of Licensed Midwives in NYS. It is an affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and its board is made of elected volunteers who are current members. NYM supports midwifery through its many committees and regional representatives.
NYC Doula Collective
The NYC Doula Collective is a community of birth workers serving New York City and the surrounding areas. Through ongoing professional development, regular meetings for members, active mentorship and a commitment to giving back to the community, they strive to offer NYC families professional birth doula services within a wide range of experience and fee levels.
One Brooklyn Health
One Brooklyn Health provides high quality, comprehensive healthcare to the communities it serves through a network of acute hospitals, community-based practices, long-term care facilities and partnerships with local healthcare providers. Their patient-centered approach extends beyond medical care to enhance the health and wellness of communities, patients and their families.
The Postpartum Stress Center
The Postpartum Stress Center is a resource for women and families who are experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Their website has information on symptoms, treatment, and recovery, as well as a directory of therapists and support groups.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
PSI is a nonprofit organization that provides resources, support, and advocacy for perinatal mental health. Their website has a directory of mental health professionals, support groups, and resources for families and caregivers.
The Shades of Blue Project
The Shades of Blue Project is a nonprofit organization that provides mental health education and support to Black mothers. They offer a range of services, including online support groups and therapy referrals.
Sista Afya
Sista Afya is a mental wellness community that focuses on serving Black women. They offer therapy and support groups, as well as educational resources on mental health.
Sista Midwife Directory
Sista Midwife Productions is a birth advocacy organization based in New Orleans, LA. They provide education, training and consultations for communities, birth workers and organizations that work with child bearing families.
SisterSong
SisterSong is a reproductive justice organization that advocates for the health and well-being of women of color. They offer resources and support for maternal health, including advocacy for policies that address maternal health disparities.
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is a directory of Black therapists who specialize in working with Black women and girls. Their website also has a blog and podcast that cover a range of mental health topics.
About the Co-Sponsors
NYU McSilver Institute
The NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research committed to creating new knowledge about the root causes of poverty, developing evidence-based interventions to address its consequences, and rapidly translating research findings into action through policy and best practices. Learn more at mcsilver.nyu.edu.
Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest women’s volunteer service organizations, dedicated to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Greater New York Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, founded in 1949, is dedicated to supporting programs that enhance the well-being of families and senior citizens in the New York City area.
Institute for Excellence in Health Equity at NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Health’s Institute for Excellence in Health Equity (IEHE) is guided by its mission to achieve excellence in health equity research, clinical care, and medical education. IEHE strives to become the leader in the development, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based solutions to advance excellence in health equity, and to be a renowned magnet for talent.
NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice
Launched in October 2023, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ) is the City’s centralized equity office that takes an intersectional approach to advancing change across our city. This office expands on the city’s equity efforts and fulfills the promise made in 2022, when NYC residents voted in favor of an office dedicated to racial equity.
NYC Her Future
Launched in March 2024 as an office within the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, NYC Her Future addresses the disparities that young women and girls of color face across New York City in education, employment, justice, and health. By developing and championing policies, programs, and partnerships that holistically support the success of young women of color throughout New York City, NYC Her Future is dedicated to fostering positive change and creating a brighter future for girls and women.
NYC Commission on Gender Equity
Founded in 2015, and situated as a unit in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE) works to create a deep and lasting institutional commitment to tearing down equity barriers across New York City. CGE addresses issues of inequity and discrimination facing girls, women, intersex, transgender and gender-nonbinary and gender-nonconforming persons regardless of age, disability, ethnicity/race, faith, gender expression, immigrant status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Focusing across the areas of economic mobility and opportunity, health and reproductive justice, and safety, CGE ensures that the city leads in the development and implementation of best practices in gender equitable policies and programs for its workforce and its residents.
National Action Network
National Action Network (NAN) is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all.
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing is committed to producing lifelong learners who will excel in their nursing careers and be recognized as leaders who keep patient-centered care and the health of society at the forefront of their values.
New York Urban League
The New York Urban League empowers African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first-class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.
NYU Silver School of Social Work
NYU Silver School of Social Work is a premier locus for research and education of professional social workers, offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Founded in 1960, NYU Silver is renowned for a strong tradition of clinical excellence, dedication to social justice, and innovative teaching, which prepare graduates for careers of meaningful impact.
Columbia School of Social Work
With 120 years of accomplishment and eyes fixed on the future, the Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) seeks to maximize human well-being and ensure that all can reach their full potential, using an approach rooted in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
One Brooklyn Health
One Brooklyn Health provides high quality, comprehensive healthcare to the communities it serves through a network of acute hospitals, community-based practices, long-term care facilities and partnerships with local healthcare providers. Their patient-centered approach extends beyond medical care to enhance the health and wellness of communities, patients and their families.