Even though Serena Williams is a multi-millionaire, tennis legend, and entrepreneur, she remains a relatable woman and mother beyond her iconic status. By openly sharing her life-threatening childbirth experience, Williams has emerged as a champion for maternal healthcare and wellness. Keeping her advocacy in focus, Williams is raising money for Black maternal health through her company, WYN Beauty.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), in 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black (Black) women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White (White) women. According to the government agency, rates for Black women were significantly higher than rates for White and Hispanic women.
According to the WYN Beauty official website, Williams and the WYN community are on a mission to help highlight the challenges that relate to Black maternal Health as they are “… committed to supporting organizations that provide necessary maternal care services to mothers and their communities.”
As a part of her advocacy and support of bringing awareness to Black maternal health, Williams has been very supportive of Black Maternal Health Week. To commemorate the week this year, WYN Beauty committed to donate $5 from each product sold to 4Kira4Moms.
4Kira4Moms is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fighting for better maternal health outcomes through advocacy, education, and coalition building. The organization was founded by Charles Johnson IV, who lost his wife Kira during a routine C-section due to internal bleeding that went ignored by doctors even has her symptoms worsened.
Johnson, like Williams, has worked tirelessly to shine a spotlight on the Black maternal health crisis.
“I vowed that I would take this tragedy and turn it into a mission fueled by the memory of Kira and the passion she brought to life every day,” Johnson his 2018 testimony to Congress.
Although, the WYN Beauty promotion for Black Maternal Health Week ends on April 17, you can still donate directly to 4Kira4Moms here. Make sure to follow WYN Beauty on all of their social media outlets because we have a feeling that this is just the beginning of Williams finding was to help bring awareness to something that is near and dear to her heart.
Photo: Serena Williams Instagram; WYN Beauty Instagram