Anchored by our Sister-Friend Network, i.D.R.E.A.M. for Racial Health Equity has built a powerful Black-led multicultural team that supports communities of Black birthing families through storytelling, education, capacity-building and peer support. Our journey advocating for Black maternal and infant health has been one of courage and fortitude in telling our personal lived experiences to enact change. Each pivot we've made as an organization was derivative of the changing maternal and mental health priorities of our Black community. We have evolved considerably, from a model of social support & advocacy driven by medical research to a public health model, to now—a community-led hospital quality improvement model.
The former State Senator Holly J. Mitchell recognized i.D.R.E.A.M. as the 2019 Nonprofit of the Year in the 30th Senatorial District. Vision 2025 focuses on the urgent call for intergenerational leadership, training, advocacy and community service on behalf of Black birthing families. Recognized as a Black-led community-based organization rooted with a 27-year storied mission, we received multi-year funding (FY22 and FY23) for capacity building and sustaining our legacy during our 10th anniversary.
Visit https://cablackfreedomfund.org/ and download the California Black Freedom Fund concept paper where we are listed among the 75 grantees. Visit https://latogether.org/2021/07/21/black-empowerment-funds-1st-grantees/ where we are listed among the inaugural cohort of grantees for California Community Foundation's Black Empowerment Fund.
The CCF's Black Empowerment Fund captured a quote to educate their donors on the importance of their investment.
i.D.R.E.A.M. is a Black-led leadership capacity building organization. The Black Empowerment Fund gives us the space to be unapologetic about equipping the Black Perinatal Workforce & Allies who support Black birthing families. Our focus on the Black Perinatal Workforce & Allies provides a safety net for us who do the work and accelerates our resilience by addressing overcommitting, overpromising, overworking and overthinking.
Wenonah Valentine, MBA, Founder and Executive Director, i.D.R.E.A.M. for Racial Health Equity
