Berkeley County First Steps and The BEE Collective Announce Participating Presenters, Speakers, and Panelists for Black Maternal Health Awareness and Action Events on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, 2025

Charleston, South Carolina – Two key organizations in the Lowcountry dedicated to birth equity and birthworker advocacy for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities present two events dedicated to advocacy and awareness focused on Black maternal health, from awareness to action. 

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Berkeley County First Steps will present AFTERSHOCK: From Grief to Empowerment – a documentary film screening, panel discussion, and community gathering. This event will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, March 22, The BEE Collective will present its daylong Black Maternal Health Symposium from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Both events will be held at Trident Technical College, 7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, South Carolina.

Registration is required and free of charge. On-site registration and check-in begin 30 minutes prior to start time for both events. All are welcome, including babies in arms. Free and ample parking is available. Food and refreshments will be provided. For more information and to register, visit berkeleyfirststeps.org and beecollective.co.

Berkeley County First Steps is poised to present the screening of Aftershock, a 2022 film directed and produced by: Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee. Following the preventable deaths of their loved ones due to childbirth complications, two families galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing American crises of our time – the US maternal health crisis.

Following the acclaimed full-length 90-minute documentary, a panel discussion moderated by Simone Lee of Berkeley County First Steps, will respond by addressing the crisis head-on and discuss ways to move forward by taking action. Panelists include: Dr. Shay Dowdle (Nurse-Midwife); Renee Linyard-Gary (Roper St. Francis Healthcare); Dr. Sabrina Prioleau (Perinatal Community Health Worker); and Keiara A. Clemmons (Mother, Community Member). Gift bags for all attendees.

The BEE Collective’s Black Maternal Health Symposium is a one-day event dedicated to addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black mothers and families in South Carolina, with an emphasis on advocacy and action.

Attendees will engage in hands-on workshops, advocacy panels, and interactive community action labs. A nationally renowned speaker and local experts will share insights on improving maternal health equity. Topics include: Maternal Health Disparities in South Carolina, Empowering Families and Professionals, and Preparing for Climate and Environmental Crises. The first 50 pregnant or parenting families to register and check in on-site will receive an Emergency/Disaster Go-Bag designed to assist with crisis preparedness.

The first 20 registered and attending doulas/birthing professionals will receive a self-care gift, co-sponsored by Berkeley County First Steps. The symposium is expected to directly benefit 150 attendees, including Black mothers, parents, and perinatal professionals. By empowering families with resources and fostering a network of advocacy, the event seeks to improve maternal health outcomes, build stronger community connections, and influence policies for maternal health equity.

Symposium presenters include: Crystal Davis (Doula, Southern BEE Alliance), Advocacy Panel Moderator; Tyleshia Jennings (Trending Joy Counseling and Therapy, Perinatal Mental Health Provider), Advocacy Panelist; Alicia Paige (SC Commission on Minority Affairs), Black Maternal Health Data Walk & Advocacy Panelist; Dr. Sabrina Prioleau (Perinatal Community Health Worker), Advocacy Panelist; Ashley Lidow (WREN), Advocacy Panelist; Hafeezah Yates (Save The Children Action Network), Advocacy Panelist; Dr. Janell Green Smith (Midwife), Panel Discussion; Kratina Convington, Speed Dating Host; Dr. Kim Archung (Doula, BEE Collective), MC; Dr. Leslie Farrington (Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood), Keynote Address; Stephanie McFadden, Breastfeeding Peer Support Group Facilitator; Tysheena Walker, Breastfeeding Peer Support Group Facilitator, Nivi Grimball (Doula), Action Lab Facilitator; and Selena Tisdale-Shaw, (Doula, Eli Foundation) Action Lab Facilitator; and Chriscilia Cox, MA (CEO, Suma Environmental Consulting), Disaster Preparedness Breakout Session.

Both events are made possible with support and partnership from the following entities: The BEE Collective, Berkeley County First Steps, Southern BEE Alliance, Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, and South Carolina State University. For additional information and to register, visit berkeleyfirststeps.org and beecollective.co. 

Berkeley County First Steps is a state-based initiative to prepare young children for school and a lifetime of learning beyond. Their mission is to improve the early development of Berkeley County children aged 0-5 by providing resources and leadership to their families, enabling them to prepare their children to reach school healthy and ready to succeed. Visit berkeleyfirststeps.org