Mission
Through a variety of creative and culturally relevant programs, Great Beginnings for Black Babies influences healthy birth outcomes by providing women with the proper tools to make informed health decisions for themselves and their families. In addition to healthy birth outcomes, our goal is promote the healthy development and growth of babies and children; and to promote healthy and strengthened outcomes for families. This also is our mission. Our programs include Black Infant Health (BIH), Healthy Moms and Babies (HMB), the Fatherhood Initiative (FI) and a Youth Education After School Program, which serves 200 children daily at two at-risk elementary schools. WHAT MAKES THIS PROJECT A “POINT OF PROOF?” Great Beginnings for Black Babies was founded in 1990, specifically to impact infant mortality in the African American community. At that time, 19 of every 1,000 Black babies were dying before their first birthday. In 2013, 13 of every 1,000 are dying. And while disparities still exist, Great Beginnings has impacted the lives of thousands of women and babies by encouraging healthy lifestyles devoid of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Through one program alone, more than 500 women annual