Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County invites community members to attend the annual Black Breastfeeding Week Brunch, on Saturday, August 29 at 11:00 am at the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center. The special event is dedicated to celebrating Black mothers, babies, and families while raising awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and available community support resources.
Held in recognition of Black Breastfeeding Week, the brunch is designed to educate, encourage, and connect families with resources that support successful breastfeeding journeys. The annual observance was established to address longstanding racial disparities in breastfeeding rates and outcomes that have persisted for decades.
According to 2024 Ohio Department of Health data, the breastfeeding initiation rate for Black mothers in Montgomery County is 64%, which is lower than their White counterparts at 77%. This disparity is further magnified when looking at the percentage of infants that received breastmilk only and no infant formula supplementation from their time of birth to hospital discharge. We see that less than a third (29%) of Black infants receive breastmilk exclusively compared to more than half of White infants (54%). Furthermore, the infant mortality rate for Black babies remains nearly twice that of White babies. These inequities highlight the need for increased education, advocacy, and support to ensure all families have access to the information and resources they need to make informed infant feeding decisions.
"Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both infants and mothers," said Requette Lindsay-Eloi, Maternal and Child Health Senior Manager, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County. "By creating spaces where Black families feel supported, celebrated, and connected to resources, we can help improve breastfeeding outcomes and give more babies the healthiest possible start in life."
Human milk is considered the optimal source of infant nutrition and has been linked to improved infant health, stronger immune protection, and better long-term health outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breastfeeding can positively impact maternal health. Increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates is an important strategy for reducing health disparities and improving birth outcomes in Black communities.
The Black Breastfeeding Week Brunch aims to:
- Celebrate Black mothers, babies, and families.
- Raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Connect families with local breastfeeding and maternal health resources.
- Encourage parents to start breastfeeding.
- Support continued breastfeeding through the first six months and beyond.
Community members, expectant parents, newly postpartum individuals, support persons, and family members are encouraged to attend and learn more about how breastfeeding can improve the health and well-being of both mothers and infants.
Event Information
What: Black Breastfeeding Week Brunch
When: Saturday, August 29, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1000 N. Keowee St., Dayton
Cost: Free; Including Lunch, Parking and Door Prizes
The event is for pregnant individuals or parents with babies under 1 (Montgomery County residents).
For more information or to register, visit the registration site. For a free bus pass call (937) 972-4098.
About Black Breastfeeding Week
Black Breastfeeding Week is a national observance that focuses on addressing racial disparities in breastfeeding and maternal-child health outcomes. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the observance works to ensure Black families have equitable access to breastfeeding support and resources.
