Smiling African American woman and man

African American Babies Coalition and Projects

Promoting healthy development of African American babies across the Twin Cities

Committed to racial equity, Wilder partners with African American community stakeholders who promote the healthy development of African American babies across the Twin Cities. African American Babies Coalition (AABC) and Projects shares brain science and early childhood development research in a culturally relevant and accessible way.

Contact:
Sameerah Bilal-Roby, AABC Project Director
800-550-7195 | sameerah@africanamericanbabies.org 
www.africanamericanbabies.org

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Brains are Built

This campaign seeks to make sure that African American families are aware that early traumatic experiences (also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences) can short circuit young brain development.

Through participatory research, AABC developed 15 Key Factors for parenting and fostering healthy brain development. The factors were implemented in two guides (Living Room Conversations and Kickin’ It conversations) for adults and youth respectively, and are key tools in AABC's work.

Along with these and other efforts, AABC partnered with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to produce 10 educational videos about key factors impacting babies’ brain development and parent child interactions through age 7. “Brains Are Built” won a 2017 Upper Midwest Emmy Award.

For more information visit www.africanamericanbabies.org or call 1-800-550-7195 to speak with the Brains Are Built Coordinator.

Brains Are Built

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Healthy Pregnancies

Integrated Care and High Risk Pregnancy Initiative

The Integrated Care and High Risk Pregnancy Initiative (ICHRP) addresses disparities in the African American community when it comes to pregnancy and birth outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, infant and maternal mortality. Our partners in this initiative are NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, the Saint Paul Care Collaborative, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

The AABC’s role in this initiative is to catalyze their relationships within the community with parents and families and connect them to resources provided by NorthPoint, the Ramsey County Care Collaborative, and others in the County. AABC is also providing trainers to providers and community members to educate them about the disparities and equip them with tools in order to help them make the right decisions about their care or how providers can improve the care they offer to be more holistic and culturally relevant. The goal of the ICHRP Initiative is to reduce the effects of social determinants of health, such as housing, economic stability and education on pregnancy outcomes.

ICHRP Events

Radio Show

​The Integrated Care and High Risk Pregnancy Initiative  hosts a monthly streaming radio show through Twin Cities Radio Network. Previous shows can be streamed on our Soundcloud station.

Twin Cities Black Child Development Institute

AABC is in the process of obtaining formal recognition as an interest chapter with the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). Locally, the group is known as the Twin Cities Black Child Development Institute – Interest Chapter). NBCDI engages leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact black children and their families. AABC will work to advance the goals of this organization by engaging with community stakeholders and government officials and working on policy to raise awareness about healthy parenting, supporting parents, high risk pregnancies and other issues.

For more information, contact Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra
President, Twin Cities Black Child Development Institute 
Akhmiri@culturalwellnesscenter.org

More Information about the African American Babies Coalition & Projects

Visit the AABC website