Black Breastfeeding Week's Garden Reception & Awards Dinner
Carroll Hall recently hosted “10 Years, A New Foundation”, a 10th anniversary celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week. Black Breastfeeding Week (BBW) aims to continue conversations surrounding black maternal and infant health, by advocating for and bringing pivotal awareness to the community. This year, in honor of their 10th anniversary, BBW wanted “to celebrate and honor trailblazing Black lactation professionals, businesses, and creators that are redefining breast/body feeding in the communities.” Black Breastfeeding Week was founded by Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green, and Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka.
Hosted by award-winning actor Angela Lewis and sponsored by Medela and the March of Dimes, this garden reception and awards dinner event was to benefit Black maternal and infant health, raising funds for scholarships for aspiring lactation professionals and providing grants for local community programs to support breast/chest and bodyfeeding. Carroll Hall was honored to be a part of this special event.
Our outdoor courtyard made the perfect backdrop for sponsors’ tables, passed hors d'oeuvres, and mingling amongst the guests in the garden on a beautiful summer night. The event sponsors included Nurturely, March of Dimes, Mamava, Medela, Lilu, Health Connect One, Baobeibody, HiBobbie Team, Maven, Every Mother Counts, CityBlock, Mama Glow, and Sofia and Grace Cookie Co.
Our upper mezzanine became a “studio” for a live interview with actress Angela Lewis and Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, Deputy Chief Medical and Health Officer of the March of Dimes, where they discussed Black birth and lactation. You can watch the full interview here.
Dinner was prepared by The Food Network’s three-time Chopped champion, Chef Marc Bynum. The awards portion of the event honored changemakers in the Black maternal-child-health community including NYC Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, Tonya Lewis Lee, co-producer of Afteshock documentary on Hulu, and Karen Derrico, star of Doubling Down with the Derricos.
“For years, Black women have had the lowest breastfeeding rates in the U.S., with serious maternal and infant health repercussions. We are here to shift the narrative and shift the norm. BBW is about reclaiming our breastfeeding tradition and celebrating it in our community. ”
THANK YOU TO ALL THE VENDORS THAT PARTICIPATED —
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: Jalese Ayana Whitehurst of MfinLeesy
EVENT PLANNER: Keiva Miller
FOOD: Chef Marc Bynum of Marc Bynum Concepts
FURNITURE: A1 Party Rentals and All Boro Party Rentals
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