As Black Maternal Health Week approaches (April 11-17), a critical discussion on Black maternal health will take place in Dallas.
Viola’s House, in collaboration with United Way of Dallas and Parkland Health, will host a special event titled “A Conversation and Call to Action on Black Maternal Health” on April 8, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the United Way Dallas office.
This event is designed to address the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes and engage community leaders, providers, and funders in a call to action.
Black Maternal Health Week serves as a national platform for raising awareness about the disparities Black women face in maternal health.
According to the CDC, Black women are 3.5 times more likely than White women to experience a pregnancy-related death.
With this in mind, the event will focus on addressing these disparities and seeking ways to improve care, especially in underserved communities like Dallas’s southern sector.
Thana Hickman, Founder and CEO of Viola’s House, will lead the event.
Hickman, who has been a passionate advocate for maternal health, recently returned from Capitol Hill, where she advocated for new policies surrounding Black Maternal Health.
The event will feature two powerful panels:
Provider Panel – Collaboration, Coordination, and Cooperation
A group of healthcare experts will share their insights on improving the continuum of care for pregnant individuals and discuss strategies for greater collaboration. Panelists include:
- Kaycee Polite, Chief Operations Officer, Viola’s House
- Dr. Taibat Eribo, Obstetrics and Gynecology, HHM Health
- LaSteshia Ekeocha, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, APP Clinic Manager, Parkland Health
- Cessilye R. Smith, CEO, Abide Women’s Health
Funder Panel – Developing Intentional and Sustainable Funding
This panel will focus on how to develop long-lasting and impactful funding strategies to reduce maternal mortality. Panelists include:
- Aimee Cunningham, CEO, Boone Family Foundation
- Dimple Sureka, Community Philanthropy Officer, Communities Foundation of Texas
- Nailah Johnson, Sr. Director, United Way Maternal Health Initiatives
- Whitney Muse, CEO, Muse Family Foundation
A networking reception will follow the panel discussions, offering an opportunity to continue the conversation and forge new partnerships.
Viola’s House has gained national recognition for its dedication to improving maternal health outcomes, receiving support from influential figures such as Tina Knowles (Beyoncé’s mother), Gammy (Jada Pinkett Smith’s mother), and Grammy Award-winning artist Erica Campbell, among others.
Founded in 2008, Viola’s House began as a teen maternity home, providing a safe space for homeless and pregnant teens.
Today, it has evolved into a nonprofit offering comprehensive programs aimed at improving the social determinants of maternal health.
In 2024, the organization supported over 6,500 mothers, helping them access safe housing, healthcare, education, job training, and more.