NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted a maternal health expo at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Saturday. The event aimed to provide expecting and new parents, as well as those planning pregnancies, with resources for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience. Over 100 Brooklyn residents participated in workshops, yoga, belly dancing classes, and accessed information from various organizations.

Borough President Reynoso emphasized the urgency of addressing maternal mortality in New York City, highlighting that Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. "This crisis we have in Brooklyn – where Black women are dying at 9.4 times the rate of their White counterparts – is deeply personal to me," said Reynoso.

The expo featured workshops on prenatal nutrition, parental rights, breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices. It also included activities such as 'Mommy and Me' yoga and belly dancing led by Nyota Nayo of Harlem Yoga Studio.

The event was supported by multiple city agencies and organizations including the NYC Health Department, which raffled off Pack-n-Plays at the conclusion of the day. Assembly Member Brian Cunningham stressed the importance of culturally responsive care in black maternal healthcare: “Healthcare, specifically black maternal healthcare, is in crisis.”

Helena Grant from the Maternal Health Taskforce noted that turning Borough Hall into an educational space for maternal health was a promise kept by Reynoso. Dr. Wendy Wilcox highlighted the ongoing efforts needed to improve pregnancy outcomes for New Yorkers: “This expo was but one piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving pregnancy outcomes for New Yorkers.”

Dr. Zahirah McNatt from the NYC Department of Health expressed satisfaction with co-sponsoring the event: “These collaborative efforts aim to enhance services for pregnant and expecting Brooklyn residents.”

The expo builds on Reynoso's commitment to addressing maternal health disparities through his historic agenda launched over a year ago.