Black Mamas ATX will bring its support groups, called Sister Circles, to mothers and moms-to-be in Manor with a $40,000 grant from Impact Austin (photo: Black Mamas ATX)
Posted Nov 15, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Women’s philanthropy group Impact Austin awarded a $40,000 grant to Black Mamas ATX in collaboration with the University of Texas Foundation, Austin Regional Clinic, People’s Community Clinic and Manor Independent School District. The grant will help Black Mamas ATX and its partners expand pregnancy and post-pregnancy care to women in Manor, where there is no practicing obstetrician/gynecologist. “Women are driving 30 to 45 minutes for routine OB care and to deliver,” said Nakeenya Wilson, executive director of Black Mamas ATX. Black Mamas ATX also is focusing on Manor because of its demographics, Wilson said. Austin’s population is 7.8% Black, but Manor’s population is 25.7% Black, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. It’s part of the move of the Black community out of Austin and into surrounding communities such as Kyle, Del Valle and Manor because of affordability, Wilson said. The grant will allow Black Mamas ATX to run a community clinic twice a month with a Black midwife as well as help it connect pregnant women to Black doulas (women who are trained to assist moms during birth and after birth) and social workers.
