MAAME and Hibiscus for Healing create a culture of support for underserved mothers

By Srinithi Raj

Motherhood is supposed to be one of the most transformative and beautiful experiences a woman can go through. Yet, for too many mothers in our Triangle community, especially those from marginalized racial groups and lower socioeconomic backgrounds, it becomes a battle for survival. The barriers they face in accessing proper healthcare, resources, and support are daunting. These mothers are not only fighting to bring new life into the world—they are fighting systemic issues that devalue their very existence.

For Maya Jackson, the founder and CEO of MAAME (Mobilizing African American Mothers Through Empowerment), these challenges are deeply personal. Jackson said, “All the experience in the world couldn’t help me figure out birth and maternal health. You may not keep your child after birth,” she said, reflecting on her own journey to motherhood. Her words encapsulate the stark truth for many Black mothers who face much higher maternal mortality rates than their white counterparts, a reality exacerbated by historical trauma and institutional neglect. For Jackson, the gaps in care for Black women are not new; they are the direct result of centuries of systemic racism, something she is working tirelessly to change.

Jackson’s story is not unique. The challenges for underserved mothers—those who are economically disadvantaged, as well as racially marginalized—are overwhelming. The stakes are particularly high for Black mothers, who are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers, according to the CDC. Many of these deaths are preventable, and the disparity is rooted not just in income but in institutional racism. The lack of support goes far beyond just health issues; it permeates every part of a woman’s life, from how she is treated by healthcare providers to the resources available for her and her baby.

Organizations like MAAME and Hibiscus for Healing talk about personal birth traumas and offer writing opportunities for fellow mothers to share their own birth experiences to validate and also bring to light the niche struggles that an under-resourced mother may face. Source: Hibiscus for Healing Website

When Jackson reflects on the history of maternal care for Black women, she touches on the disturbing legacy of exploitation. “Look at the history,” she said, referring to figures like J. Marion Sims. He is often hailed as the father of modern gynecology, who experimented on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. The effects of this historical trauma ripple through generations, contributing to deep-rooted mistrust in the healthcare system. For Jackson, birth has been transformed into something institutionalized and medicalized, rather than being the communal, supportive experience it once was. “People designing policies have no idea what’s going on,” she laments. And without changes to these policies, the cycle of inadequate care will continue.

Quay, founder of Hibiscus for Healing, echoes these concerns. Her own traumatic experiences as a Black mother propelled her into advocacy where she now works as a doula offering essential support to mothers in the Triangle. “Part of the issue is understanding the issue,” Quay explains. Many people don’t realize the scope of the problem until they’ve lived through it. Programs like Hibiscus for Healing seek to address these issues head-on by connecting mothers with the resources they need and providing prenatal and perinatal support though their initial motherhood journey.

For Quay, it’s personal and systemic. She identifies racism as a primary driver of the resource gap, explaining that the system is designed to fail mothers of color—both systematically and systemically. 

The mental health toll on mothers without adequate resources is immense. According to Quay, "Mental health issues are often intertwined with being a mom without resources." Without proper care and support, anxiety and depression become a regular part of many mothers' lives. 

Jackson, too, has seen firsthand the emotional toll on mothers. She describes how MAAME’s programs offer a much-needed safe space for women to share their experiences, cry, laugh, and be heard without judgment. “For many women, it’s the first time they’re in a safe space to care for themselves,” she explains. MAAME’s “You Matter” program focuses on empowerment, letting mothers know that their individual experiences matter, and they deserve to feel supported. Often, mothers in underserved communities are made to feel guilty for even thinking about their own needs. But organizations like MAAME and Hibiscus for Healing are actively working to change that narrative.

In addition to providing essential resources, MAAME also provides opportunities for mothers to bond with their babies in activities like their recent photoshoot initiative, often times an "inaccessible luxury" for under-resourced mothers according to Jackson. She believes that these initiatives help break the cycle of commercializing Black birth. Source: MAAME website

Both Jackson and Quay emphasize that the solution doesn’t just lie in fixing individual care issues—it’s about fundamentally transforming how we view and support motherhood. "We used to be a communal society, but we’ve lost that spirit," Jackson said. Historically, childbirth was a communal experience, with families and communities rallying around new mothers. Now, many mothers find themselves isolated and unsupported, with institutions not stepping up to fill that void.

For Quay, being a doula does not just mean offering physical support during birth but helping mothers reclaim some of that lost communal spirit. "We are there with people," she said. Hibiscus for Healing provides practical support, from offering free or low-cost doula services to connecting them with other essential resources. Quay is determined to support mothers through every step of the way, ensuring they don’t feel alone in the process.

Jackson's work with MAAME also reintroduces a sense of community to the birth process. Through mutual aid programs that provide food access, MAAME partners with local Black farmers to ensure mothers have fresh produce, bridging another gap in care. In 2023, the organization launched a lactation clinic specifically for refugee and minority families, recognizing that institutional support for Black mothers when it comes to breastfeeding is often lacking. “We don’t have time to wait,” Jackson said. “We need to come together as a community.”

MAAME mobilizes volunteers to actuate widespread community change and provide high-quality yet affordable resourcing. Using blogs, individuals who resonate with MAAME can directly attain the skills they need to embody the organization. Source: MAAME website

The work these organizations are doing is vital, but the path to lasting change is long. "Money is the biggest obstacle," Jackson points out. “Doulas are a solution, but they cost too much.” Policy changes, such as providing paid leave and making doula care accessible, are critical. Without these changes, the burden falls on grassroots organizations like MAAME and Hibiscus for Healing to compensate for a lack of support from larger organizations and state legislatures.

Yet, despite the hurdles, both Jackson and Quay remain hopeful. Their work is grounded in the belief that, as a community, we can create systemic changes that take mothers out of the cycle of low resources. Local partnerships play a huge role in making this happen. Both organizations are collaborating with health professionals, mental health clinicians, and other community organizations to offer a continuum of care that addresses both physical and emotional needs.

The reality is stark: many mothers in the Triangle are falling through the cracks. They face barriers to healthcare, a lack of mental health support, and the weight of systemic racism. However, organizations like MAAME and Hibiscus for Healing are stepping in to fill those gaps. They are offering more than just services; they are providing hope, empowerment, and a pathway to reclaim the maternal experience that has been denied to so many for far too long.

As Jackson puts it, "We need to take control into our own hands." And with dedicated leaders like Jackson and Quay, our community is taking steps toward a future where no mother has to navigate the journey of motherhood alone. The work is far from over, but thanks to these grassroots efforts, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the underserved mothers of the Triangle.