Tag: African American Interest

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) returns with their fan-favorite event, "A Great Day in Black Hollywood," which honors ground-breaking talent, community leaders, and organizations making a difference both in Hollywood and the community. This opening celebration kicks-off their 30th Annual S.E. Manly African-American Short Film Festival (SEMAASFF).

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire: -- The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) and The Glancy Wine Education Foundation are pleased to announce a collaboration designed to broaden scholarship opportunities. Starting in January 2025, the new partnership will offer AAAV members increased access to the funds necessary for advancing their professional wine education.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 18, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) President Sandra J. Evers-Manly is pleased to announce the 30th Annual S. E. Manly African American Short Film Festival (SEMAASFF), will take place November 15, 2024; and is kicking off with its historic opening event, "Great Night in Black Hollywood," the weekend of November 15, to open the occasion's weekend.

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 17, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In a powerful show of civic engagement, state and local leaders converged upon the C.T. Martin Recreation Center polling location on Tuesday for a press conference in support of "Overload the Polls," a statewide voter mobilization effort kicking off the first day of early voting. Spearheaded by Georgia Black Women's Roundtable (BWR), Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda (People's Agenda), RISE, Black Youth Vote, and other advocacy organizations, the initiative rolled out in 32 counties across the state, aiming to drive a surge in voter participation.

HARLEM, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Amid growing global calls for climate reparations and justice, over 350 global leaders, activists, and students convened in historic Harlem for the HBCU Green Fund's fourth annual Climate Justice Summit: People Deliver. This event kicked off Climate Week NYC with two days of impactful discussions addressing urgent climate challenges facing marginalized communities while advancing solutions rooted in racial and economic justice.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- MEDIA ADVISORY: In response to dangerous policies outlined in Project 2025 and the ongoing frustration voiced by Black youth that their votes are courted but their voices remain unheard, the Young Black Lawyers Organizing Coalition (YBLOC) and HBCU Green Fund will host Vision Forward to chart the course for a policy-driven Black youth movement.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Dear Klaiyi girls, Klaiyi Human Hair Wig Company ("Klaiyi Hair") is about to launch an innovative wig for the whole world: the double wear wig. This is a special thank you from Klaiyi to their customers on the occasion of their 7th anniversary. From glueless wigs to put on and go wigs, bye bye knots, pre-everything wigs, and now double wear wigs, let's look forward to this new product together.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The HBCU Green Fund is proud to announce GreenFest 2024, a vibrant celebration of sustainability, culture, and the power of unity within the Black community on Saturday, September 7, at Truly Living Well Farm in Atlanta, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The free, public event will feature food, live performances, eco workshops, activities for children, and an opportunity to meet V-103s Big Tigger who will broadcast live from the event.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- As hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Jimi "Chopmaster J" Dright, co-founder of the iconic group Digital Underground (DU), faced significant health challenges, causing him to miss much of the celebration. Together with his son, S.O.T.U., they are preparing to release "Sex Packets 2 - The ReUp" and launch a new podcast, "The Chop Shop."

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the human hair wigs industry, successfully hosted the second session of the Luvme Hair Academy, with approximately 150 participants joining the live event. The Luvme Hair Academy is a heartfelt manifestation of the mission at Luvme Hair, with the brand slogan "Luvme For You."

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ) Celebrates National Black Business Month with a Certification Day and Business Summit presented by Amazon and ASU, Aug. 21 and 28, 2024, at Memorial Union, ASU (Aug. 21) & Lush Café, Tempe (Aug. 28).

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the human hair wigs industry, successfully hosted its first pop-up shop in Atlanta, Georgia from July 12th to 14th, building on the success of previous events in New York City and Houston. The event celebrated beauty, innovation, and community.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a leading name in the human hair industry, is proud to introduce its premium Bundles with Closure, offering customers the ultimate solution for achieving seamless, natural-looking hairstyles. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Luvme Hair continues to set the standard for excellence in the hair extension market.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National, Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda, AD King Foundation, Rosa Parks Consortium, and other organizations in the civil rights community will convene for a two-day celebration of the life of Rev. Frederick Douglass Taylor, a revered leader in the civil rights movement and former lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the human hair wigs industry, is thrilled to announce the success of its first-ever Luvme Hair Workshop, held on June 20th, 2024. The workshop was designed to provide a platform for learning, sharing, and connecting, embodying the brand's dedication to helping young hairstylists and enhancing wig-wearing experiences.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- When LA Carnival launched on Crenshaw Boulevard last year, the seeds were planted to grow an economic development vehicle using the carnival parade as the mechanism for community engagement. One hundred drums led an inaugural procession with an exuberant, multicultural starlight jamboree into Leimert Park Village. Produced by MARIKEL Productions in association with Mandrill World Music, and sponsored by International Eye LA, this year the festivities continue to explode with "LA Carnival on the Shaw," June 30, 2024.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Chamber of Arizona is proud to host its 2024 Juneteenth Vision Forward Celebration, a commemorative event presented by Cox Communications, that honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and celebrates the successes of the Black business community throughout Arizona.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the human hair wigs industry, is thrilled to announce its exclusive online promotion event, Summer Trend: Indulge in the Cool Charms. From May 31, 2024, to June 20, 2024, all customers can enjoy savings on all products site-wide using special discount codes.

DETROIT, Mich. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Literacy Project is excited to announce the "Passport to Literacy" event, taking place at O'Hair Park in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 1pm-4pm. This event is made possible through the generous support of the 2023 Pistons Neighbors Park Activation Grant, aimed at promoting literacy and providing children with access to valuable resources through city parks.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Building on its commitment to supporting small business owners, the Black Chamber of Arizona, in partnership with the Millionaire Mastermind Academy, is proud to announce the induction of 30 entrepreneurs into the 2024 class of its ImpactAZ Supplier Diversity Readiness Business Accelerator Program. This multi-year initiative, a cornerstone of Arizona's efforts to enhance supplier diversity, continues to offer critical resources to justice-impacted entrepreneurs, veterans, and women-owned businesses aiming for economic success and growth.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is proud to present the 14th Annual Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF) Saturday, March 23rd (in-person) at Regal L.A. Live, 1000 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Films can also be viewed (virtually) online at www.BHERC.TV through Sunday, March 24, 2024.

ROCKVILLE, Md. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) today announced that it would provide free membership to any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at any Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU). The same is true for any postdoctoral scholar ("postdoc") working at such an institution.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is pleased to announce the 29th Annual S. E. Manly African American Short Film Showcase (SEMAASFS) closing event, the weekend of January 19-21st, it will include 50 short films. BHERC is also hosting students to see the must-see film Origin, by talented and prolific filmmaker, Ava DuVernay, the first weekend of its release nationally. "We must go out and support our filmmakers and help make their films a success at the box office," noted BHERC President Sandra Evers-Manly.

SEATTLE, Wash. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced that its CEO Laird Nossuli will present at Seattle's inaugural Black Homeownership Symposium on January 26. Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), one of the oldest minority trade associations in the nation and its foremost network of Black real estate professionals, will unveil the findings of the first-ever Washington state edition of the State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) report.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Dr. Gwendolyn Mukes, a Los Angeles based actress, renowned educator and civil rights activist presents her debut children's book, "Gwen Didn't Care" (ISBN: 979-8985784428) at Full Circle Bookstore on August 26, 1900 NW Expy, Oklahoma City, OK, at 3 p.m. "Gwen Didn't Care" honors the 65th Anniversary of the nation's first approved sit-in movement, and tells a true story of the silly, ridiculous, unjust, unfair, unfortunate laws of Jim Crow.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) will host its 25th Annual Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase and Virtual Film Festival. All in-person events will be held September 22-23, 2023, at the Regal L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles, California and the Virtual Festival will be streamed via BHERC.TV, from October 1-8.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Tonight, the heart of New York City will resonate with a poignant tribute as its iconic buildings don a solemn hue in honor of the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This visual gesture carries a profound significance, paying homage to both an exceptional individual and an often-forgotten chapter of history, Mocha Media announces today.

KEARNY, N.J. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- "The Children of Light: Book I" (ISBN: 978-1958377017; paper) is a picture book for children by co-authors Elizabeth and Adetoro Adekunle. The book follows the fun adventures of 4 friends who live in West Africa, as their town works on regaining electricity which was later obtained with solar power. Published by The Black Girl Judge Company LLC.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- VocalzMusic & Publishing announces that famed Motown songwriter, recording artist and lone female member of legendary R&B sibling singing group, DeBarge, Bunny DeBarge released her newly revised, tell all memoir, "The Kept Ones: DeBarge, The Fame Years," in print, with a gold ribbon design, on Monday, June 19, 2023.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- E'maj Entertainment Television Network, a groundbreaking media platform dedicated to empowering people of color, is thrilled to announce its official launch on Juneteenth, June 19, 2023. The launch marks a significant milestone in media representation, coinciding with the commemoration of African Americans' emancipation.

LONG BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Art-In-Relation (A.I.R.) is proud to present a special evening concert, in collaboration with Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, featuring a group of exceptional performers. This talented ensemble will come together to deliver an inspiring musical experience. With a repertoire that reflects the significance of Juneteenth and embraces a message of change and freedom, this concert promises to be a memorable celebration.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Thinkzilla Consulting has joined the growing coalition pledging to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. One of more than 2,400 CEOs that have come together for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, Dr. Velma Trayham is committing herself and Thinkzilla to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Debbie Allen, critically acclaimed director, producer, and choreographer will be a special guest at upcoming, 30th annual "Sista's Are Doin' It For Themselves" Short Film Showcase Opening Night Celebration, May 19th at 7:30pm, at the Director's Guild of America, the Black Hollywood Education Resource Center (BHERC) announced today.

NEW ORLEANS, La. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Three times self-published author and entrepreneur Michelle Jackson had no idea starting a private Facebook group would change her life. In March 2020, inspired by COVID's unexpected stay-at-home orders, Jackson took to social media to connect with writers of color and to find resources on how to market a book without leaving the confines of her home. And so, the Black Writers Workspace (BWW) online community was born.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) will host the 30th Anniversary of its Sistas Are Doin' It For Themselves Short Film Showcase and Virtual Film Festival. All in-person events will be held May 19-21, 2023 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California. The Virtual Festival will be streamed via BHERC.TV from May 22-31.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- A group of HBCU Green Fund Fellows from Atlanta University Center recently dedicated their spring break embedded in an African village on the border of Senegal and Mauritania building a tree shelter, planting trees and digging a well in their ongoing efforts to help the vulnerable communities that are most impacted by the effects of climate change, but contribute the least.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Setting the stage for dramatic change among Black-owned Arizona businesses, IMPACT AZ 2025 is kicking off its supplier diversity readiness program to close the racial wealth gap for business owners through a three-year supplier diversity readiness program, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- One of the country's most historic college football games, the storied Denny's Orange Blossom Classic presented by Ready Life, is poised to continue shining light on its bright future. Fans are invited to join a national watch party, which includes the opportunity to discuss an array of topics while viewing the game with sports heroes and celebrities through online channel, HANG Media.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mocha Media Inc is honored to announce the publication of "DON'T LET THEM BURY MY STORY, The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words" (Hardcover; On Sale: May 30, 2023; $29.99; ISBN: 978-1737168409) by Viola Ford Fletcher with her grandson Ike Howard on the 102nd Anniversary of the event that caused the single worst incident of racial violence in the history of the United States.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) announces the 13th Annual Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF) Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 12, 2023. On Saturday March 4 an in-person opening day will take place at the Pacific Design Center's Silver Screen Theater, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (8687 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069), as well as online at BHERC.TV.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On the last day of Black History Month, nationally recognized Black Producer and Creator Joe Young, Jr., in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, will launch a print and digital comic book teaching financial literacy to students featuring "KEMET, BIG TIME SAVER." Students will officially meet KEMET, a ten-year-old time-traveling comic character who goes back to meet African-American historical firsts, legends, and inventors.

SHELBURNE, Nova Scotia /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Perusine Press celebrates Black History Month with author Procopius Canning's deeply researched book "Ancient Black Civilizations Matter: Sort of like Wakanda, only real!" (ISBN: 979-8696570037), a fascinating survey of Blacks and Black culture in the ancient world.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Millionaire Mastermind Academy announced today that IMPACT AZ 2025, a nine-month supplier diversity readiness program designed to close the racial wealth gap for black and minority business owners, is proud to announce JPMorgan Chase as its title sponsor. Since 2015, JPMorgan Chase has spent $11 billion with diverse suppliers. In 2020 alone, the diverse supplier spend was over $2 billion.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Today, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) announced Shavon Arline-Bradley was hired to serve as the organization's first president and chief executive officer. After 88 years, the organization changed its governance structure to work more efficiently.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Sage Investment Club, an investment firm managed by an all-female, African American leadership team, today celebrates 25 years since the launch of its investment platform. Founded by Sonya Weaver-Johnson, the group offers investment education and co-investment opportunities.

CYPRESS, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Best Script Award - London selected "My Father The Queen" as the winner of the Best LGBT Screenplay during their Autumn 2022 competition. The screenplay was written by filmmaker Lisa N. Alexander, owner of PrettyWork Studios. It is her first feature work.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- In an effort to increase diversity at the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the HBCU Green Fund and the Harambee House/Citizens for Environmental Justice (HH/CFEJ) partnered to lead a delegation of 27 persons from the United States, Africa and the diaspora to participate in the global summit touted as "COP Africa."

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Millionaire Mastermind Academy (MMA) has launched its Giving Tuesday Campaign to raise $150,000 through November 30, 2022, to support programming that uplifts minority women entrepreneurs through access to professional development, networking opportunities, and access to financial resources, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.

WILMINGTON, Mass. /Massachusetts Newswire/ -- Beyond Benign announced a new Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Initiative, designed to provide green chemistry educational support for faculty and students at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Being built and executed in collaboration with MSIs, the initiative is intended to ensure the next generation of world-class chemists and scientific leaders are reflective of the diversity of the global community and prepared to address sustainability through chemistry.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Call it the calm before the midterm election storm. Georgia Black Women's Roundtable (GA BWR) treated staff, volunteers, local and national leaders, and members of the community to a night filled with tasty food, great company, and a lot of laughter when they hosted a Power of the Ballot Debate Watch Party and Comedy Show this past Friday, October 14 at IBEW Local 613.

LONG BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The 4th Annual Long Beach Gives campaign, an online giving day sponsored by the City's leading nonprofit funders and nonprofit support organizations, invites donors from throughout the city and beyond to give to the local nonprofit of their choosing. This year, the effort raised $1,965,539 to support 232 participating nonprofits. BOSS™ (Business Of Student Success) raised $130,000 from more than 300 donors, making it the second most contributed to charity in this year's campaign.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- "Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race" reveals the life and legacy of the first African American mayor elected in a major American city, with an overwhelmingly white majority, and will be broadcast on PBS SoCal on Thursday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m., Our L.A. announced today. The encore presentation of the award-winning documentary is being released during another historic Los Angeles mayoral race occurring now. It is also available on PBS.org, and on PBS and World Channel's Saturday Playlist Initiative on race.

ATLANTA, Ga. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Expanding The Investors Academy services to support more teens and young adults, the nonprofit's Youth Training Program shares life skills, on-the-job training and financial literary skills for youth ages 15 to 24. In its second summer, the program has been funded by the Fulton County Government, with partners including the City of Atlanta, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today.

FORT MYERS, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Black people routinely face discrimination in the hiring process. Sometimes this happens because of a conscious bias. However, unconscious bias frequently occurs due to people's tendency to hire people like themselves, according to job site Trove Talent.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) has teamed with Restoration Stage (Washington, D.C.) to bring the popular musical "Veils" to the Los Angeles area for a short run Thursday, September 15, and Friday, September 16 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 17 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 18 at 8 p.m. at the Nate Holden Performing Art Center in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education Resource Center (BHERC) is proud to welcome an incredible lineup of Films, Filmmakers and Healthcare Professionals to the stage of speakers for our 28th Annual Film Festival and First Annual Health Conference: "SUPLLEMENTALLY": Mastering Mental and Brain Health After the Pandemic Across the Globe: Recovery, Healing, Hope, Reimage, taking place August 27, 2022, Cinemark 18 & XD, 6081 Center Drive, Los Angeles and virtually.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Blaylock Van, LLC, the nation's longest continuously operating Black-owned investment bank, will serve as a sponsorship partner for the 2nd annual United Diversity Business Summit, Presented by Thinkzilla Consulting Group & The City of Scottsdale. The Sept. 14 summit will convene diverse business leaders and entrepreneurs across Arizona.

PLEASANTON, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- This two-day California Soul Food Cookout and Festival is not only filled with food, fun and music, but purpose too. For 12 years running, this premier food and music event has grown to be a regional favorite. This year's festival will be held at the Alameda Fairgrounds on September 17 and 18, 2022 and will donate a portion of revenue to different charities in the Bay area who work to help the homeless and domestic violence victims.

NEW YORK, N.Y. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Sixteen-year-old social entrepreneur Michael C. Platt's highly anticipated cookbook "Michaels Desserts" (Mixed Media Resources; Paperback/eBook; On Sale: Nov. 1, 2022; $19.95; ISBN: 978-1684620470) will be the first title in the Our Tomorrow series published by Mixed Media Resources LLC. The food justice advocate will make his literary debut as the first of four authors in a groundbreaking series created to amplify the voices of teen activists using their gifts to make the world a better place.

PHOENIX, Ariz. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Building on the success of 2021 "United Diversity Business Summit Day," which included a special proclamation from Scottsdale Mayor David D. Ortega, the second annual United Diversity Business Summit will be held on Sept. 14, 2022. Presented by Thinkzilla Consulting Group and the City of Scottsdale, the summit will engage business and community leaders in efforts to create more diverse and inclusive outcomes.

TAMPA, Fla. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Further expanding access to careers in the real estate industry, the Millionaire Mastermind Real Estate Accelerator Program is now accepting applications for its upcoming fall 2022 program, Thinkzilla Consulting Group announced today. Welcoming up to 50 diverse women applicants, the 12-week hybrid program consists of virtual classes plus two in-person days of intensives.

WASHINGTON, D.C. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Determined to encourage unity across the African Diaspora, expand their global network of youth working to advance climate justice and to promote the upcoming PreCOP27 Africa Virtual Summit, the HBCU Green Fund sent a small delegation to participate in the 3rd African Peer Review Mechanism Continental Youth Symposium in Kampala, Uganda last week.

HOUSTON, Texas /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Black maternal morbidity is on the rise and the numbers are higher than originally reported. According to a study by the Maryland Population Research Center at the University of Maryland, Black mothers are 3.5 times more likely to experience death by pregnancy. Kay Matthews, founder of The Shades of Blue Project and Black Maternal Mental Health Week says the mental health of Black mothers is also a factor in the significantly higher numbers.