In 2023, Sauleiha Akangbe, founder of the RBI, engaged with the Biden-Harris Administration to share insights from her successful maternal health program (JUST Birth Network) at Providence Swedish Hospital. 

The Rebirth Birth Initiative (RBI) recognizes that a fundamental shift is needed within the maternal healthcare system to ensure equitable and safe birth experiences for Black women. We acknowledge the historical exploitation of Black women's bodies and the profound legacy of their ancestral mothers, upon which the current system is built. While we work to integrate culturally competent care, education, doula support, and community foundations within hospital settings, the passage of the MOMNIBUS Act represents a crucial systemic step towards achieving this vision. Black women deserve healthcare in all spaces that not only respects their autonomy and dignity but also actively addresses the root causes of racial disparities in maternal health. 

African Diasporan, African, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian communities worldwide understand the profound impact of family and community support on the pregnancy/postpartum journey and overall maternal health well-being and outcomes. These communities provide essential resources and care, often filling a gap left by traditional institutions. By intentionally integrating community support into hospital care, we can create a more holistic and culturally sensitive experience for families. This integration ensures that families feel connected to their care, actively participate in decision-making, and do not have to disconnect their healthcare choices from their everyday lives. 

Doulas provide comprehensive support during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum periods and embody the timeless wisdom of community-centered care. Rooted in cultural heritage, birth and postpartum doulas honor individuality,  and foster trust and deliver empathetic, culturally sensitive care. Inspired by community-based models, doulas offer emotional, physical and informational support, upholding the sacred role of birth companions and postpartum caregivers.

Patient Ambassadors/Cultural Navigators are community-based healthcare professionals serving as trusted liaisons between communities, healthcare providers, and the broader healthcare system. Rooted in the communities they serve, they navigate complex systems, advocate for patient needs, and facilitate holistic care that integrates seamlessly into daily life.