Elephant Circle & Birthing Cultural Rigor

NIRH is partnering with Elephant Circle (EC) and Birthing Cultural Rigor (BCR)to create a state-based birth justice policy toolkit to support advocacy efforts across multiple southern states. EC implements a reproductive justice praxis in its work, seeking to bridge the spaces between public health law, community power, and movement building. BCR operationalizes reproductive justice, research justice, and Black feminism through cultural rigor methodology in quality and patient safety research and evaluation to build community and hospital capacity in addressing obstetric racism and improving birthing experiences and outcomes for Black people. NIRH will serve as a thought partner in the creation and dissemination of the policy toolkit to advocates and press by offering communications, convening and facilitation, and other technical support with the goal of passing proactive, affirming policies in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. NIRH will collaborate with EC and BCR in organizing a State of Birth Justice Convening to disseminate the toolkit and sustain this work in 2025 and beyond.