38 | Cultural Competence Can’t Be Optional in Maternal Health: Systemic Gaps, Doulas, and Community with Marlene Morris

In this powerful conversation, Marlene Morris, birth ambassador and co-founder of the Black Birth Collective, joins Johanna Moses to shine a light on the deep disparities in maternal health—especially for Black women in America. With compassion and clarity, Marlene shares how doulas are transforming birth experiences, how cultural understanding can save lives, and why listening to birth workers is key to changing outcomes. This episode is a call to advocacy, empathy, and action.Fighting to Be Heard: Racism, Birth, and the Work of HealingIn this powerful conversation, Marlene Morris, birth ambassador and co-founder of the Black Birth Collective, joins Johanna Moses to shine a light on the deep disparities in maternal health—especially for Black women in America. With compassion and clarity, Marlene shares how doulas are transforming birth experiences, how cultural understanding can save lives, and why listening to birth workers is key to changing outcomes. This episode is a call to advocacy, empathy, and action.Marlene Morris—a seasoned Black birth worker, doula trainer, and global maternal health advocate who has supported over 200 births across six countries. As the co-founder and president of The Black Birth Collective, Marlene shares how systemic racism—not race—is at the root of America's maternal and infant mortality crisis, and how community-led birth work is saving lives.Together, they explore:Key TakeawaysDoulas are essential advocates—improving birth outcomes and emotional support.Systemic racism plays a major role in preventable maternal deaths.Cultural competence can't be legislated; it starts with a genuine will to listen and learn.Black women face unique challenges in childbirth that require tailored support.Postpartum care and emotional well-being are too often overlooked.Education empowers birthing people to navigate a complex medical system.Supporting birth workers strengthens the entire maternal health ecosystem.Changing the narrative around birth can lead to safer, more positive experiences.Global maternal health requires access to supplies, education, and compassion.The painful truth behind why Black women and infants die at disproportionately higher rates in the U.S.How Marlene and her collective are bridging gaps between African and diaspora birth workersThe spiritual and emotional toll of advocacy—and why rest and joy are also resistanceWhat every parent, provider, and policymaker needs to understand about informed consent, systemic barriers, and implicit bias in maternal careThis episode is for anyone who believes every mother deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.Marlene’s voice is one of strength, urgency, and compassion. From Cleveland to Ethiopia, she’s working to ensure that birth is not a battleground, but a place of dignity, safety, and celebration.🔗 Tune in and learn how we can all be part of changing the narrative.Connect with Marlene: [email protected]@gmail.com+12165845683Links: Theblackbirthcollective.orgDoulamatch profile: https://doulamatch.net/profile/14360/marlene-morris IG: @Agapecodedoula @Agapecodebirthambassadors @TheblackbirthcollectiveFacebook: Facebook.com/agapecodeConnect with Johanna LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠www.johannamoses.com #BlackMaternalHealth #BirthJustice #DoulaCare #MedicineMotherhoodMissions #SystemicRacism #PodcastForChange #ReproductiveJustice #JuneteenthHealing