Black Maternal Health Pioneers Left Out of Virginia Perinatal Grants They Helped Create

Nurse Stephanie Spencer of Urban Baby Beginnings and doula Kenda Denia of Birth In Color — the Black community health workers who coined the term 'maternal health hub' and spent years working with state officials to secure $2.5 million in Virginia's state budget for community-based maternal care — were not selected to receive any of the perinatal grants they helped create. Three of the four grantees are located in Southwest Virginia (along Route 81), far from the Richmond-area communities these Black-led organizations serve. Community organizations have raised transparency concerns with the Virginia Department of Health about the selection process. A final report on the initiative is not due until June 2026.