About Us
In 2023 a working group of Black birthing people, birth workers, advocates, medical and public health professionals engaged in a participatory study to develop a five-year agenda for Black maternal health in Oregon.
From this initiative, the Black Futures Initiative for Perinatal Health emerged as a community-led collaboration to advance patient-centered care for the most vulnerable birthing communities through direct service, advocacy, research, power-building, and cultural transformation.
Rooted in the research of Dr. Roberta Suzette Hunte, our advocacy efforts focused on securing perinatal health funding and services through legislation in partnership with Children’s Institute, Oregon Health Education Collaborative, and policymakers.
Our vision for birthing people and their support systems is to feel safe, honored, and respected throughout pregnancy and parenthood.
For our community, we envision families celebrating life together, served by providers who look like them and reflect their background.
For our professionals, we advocate for sustainable careers in the maternal and family health field elevating culturally responsive care.
The Black Futures Initiative for Perinatal Health vision is to revitalize the sacrality in birth by eliminating barriers through cultural and structural change in Oregon’s reproductive space by 2035.
Steering Committee Team.
Our community thrives on open sharing, intentional connection, and collective growth. Perfection is not our goal; instead, we embrace the journey as we create our path together. We prioritize community care by fostering a safe space where everyone's voice matters, especially in moments of conflict, which we navigate through collective decision-making.
Celebration is integral to our gatherings, ensuring that every meeting includes time to acknowledge our progress and one another. To strengthen our bonds, we commit to coming together in person at least twice a year for shared joy and reflection.
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Board
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Roberta Suzette Hunte
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Alyson Day Secretary
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Dr Melissa Cheyney
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Arika Bridgeman Bunyoli
Community Partners
Working together to build our shared vision for a better and more equitble system that uplifts all.
 The Center for Women’s Leadership works in collaboration with seasoned and emerging women and gender-expansive leaders to advance the individual and collective practice of transformative leadership in Oregon and beyond. |  Transforming the Health of the Communities We Serve, One Person at a Time |  Stand with us to ensure every Oregon child has the chance to thrive. Change a child’s life through education, policy, and advocacy. Act now. |
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 We're organizing Oregon mamas and caregivers across a range of identities to fight for economic and reproductive justice. |  At Portland State University’s School of Social Work, you will find passionate and forward-thinking colleagues and collaborative, inclusive faculty committed to building a socially just and equitable future for all. |  The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) is a community-based arts center located in North Portland. It was founded in 1982 by Portland's first Black Commissioner and Parks' Director, Charles Jordan. IFCC has served as a cultural home for the Black community in N/NE since its founding. |
 Women's Foundation of Oregon supports communities, programs, and individuals that improve the lives and opportunities of women and girls. |  We make it easy to get the care you need. Health Share covers Oregon Health Plan members living in Clackamas, Multnomah, or Washington counties. |  Live and learn in one of the best college locations in America. Our campus in downtown Portland provides inspiration and opportunity at every turn. |