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bEarth Work App

Preparing for birth, breastfeeding, and beyond through online classes taught by Black birth experts

$4,139
pledged of$20,000 goal
71
0Days Left

Project Description

Between 2009 to 2018, tech startups led by Black women raised only 0.06% of the $425 billion in total tech venture funding.  Diversity in tech spaces is necessary for innovation, to bring unique perspectives and lived experiences that solve our greatest problems, and to develop products and services that meet the populations with the greatest need.

The Problem

Maternal deaths and breastfeeding disparities among Black women are public health crises. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than White women and the majority of these deaths are preventable. In addition, breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among Black mothers remain significantly lower than national averages and national and international breastfeeding recommendations. At the same time, Black women and children bear the burden of illnesses that breastfeeding protects against. Therefore, improving breastfeeding rates can have lasting effects on the health of Black women and children.

Like many other health inequities, disparities in breastfeeding and maternal and infant mortality are rooted in complex social determinants of health, driven by racism. Structural racism in health care and social service delivery, for example, leads to poorer quality care among Black women. 

 

Our Solution 

A part of the solution is to expand access to evidence-based, culturally relevant information and high quality professional care and support made accessible to Black women and birthing persons, specifically initiatives that invest in and center the knowledge and skills within Black communities. Increasing access to support and education provided by Black doulas, for example, has been shown to improve the maternal health outcomes of Black women.

The bEarth (pronounced "birth") Work app makes it easier for Black women and birthing individuals to find and book online courses, classes, and support related to preconception, pregnancy and childbirth, and breastfeeding. The app provides a list of virtual courses created by Black birthworkers and other healthcare providers. When users visit the app, they can filter listings across multiple categories to meet their needs, such as

  • Course format (e.g. pre-recorded vs. live delivery) and
  • Course topic (e.g. preconception/pregnancy/childbirth education/lactation)
  • Provider (e.g. doula, lactation professional)

App users can purchase the courses directly within the app, provide reviews, and use the chat feature to message the course instructors directly. Birthworkers can connect with other birthworkers and access an audience of Black women, create a profile to share additional information about their services, take payments directly within the app for their classes, and build an online reputation for their classes through reviews. Birthworkers will be able to host their live or prerecorded classes in bEarth Work as well.

 

Why We Are Seeking Funding

For the past year, bEarth Work has been built and operated without outside funding. The funding will be used to add additional requested features to bEarth Work that will streamline the functionality and improve user experience.  bEarth Work is currently available as a web application. In 2021, we plan to release bEarth Work in the app store as well. The funding will further support the development and testing of the web-based and native mobile app versions of bEarth Work. Finally, we are also seeking funding to expand the reach to our audience in order to have the greatest impact. 

In summary, your funding will support the following:

  • Back end and front-end developer for additional web app features
  • Development and testing of the native mobile app
  • Content production
  • Marketing and advertisements
  • Administrative support

 

Our Founder 

 

Ayanna Robinson, PhD, MPH is a mother, a maternal and child health advocate, and an award-winning public health professional with over 10 years of experience in research, program evaluation, and program planning. As a graduate student in 2016, she founded Black Girls’ Breastfeeding Club, LLC. (BGBC). Her dissertation research, published in the peer reviewed journals, Digital Health and Journal of Human Lactation, applied Black Feminist Theory to explore the breastfeeding experience and outcomes of Black mothers who participate in mom-to-mom support groups on Facebook. As a public health researcher and evaluator who is experienced in qualitative and quantitative methods, she is committed to conducting research and translating that research into initiatives and products that dismantle systems of oppression, amplifies the voices of marginalized communities, and creates spaces for healing.

Through BGBC, Dr. Robinson has participated in community events for mothers, discussions with college and high school students, partnered with other maternal health organizations, like the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and produced resources and educational tools. Decreasing the maternal mortalities of and improving breastfeeding rates among Black mothers are the areas of public health that Dr. Robinson is most passionate about. bEarth Work is an extension of her passion and experience working in maternal and child health.

How to Support

  • Donate to our campaign. Any amount you can contribute will make a difference.
  • Spread the word! Share our campaign within your networks.
  • Would you like to send a donation by check/money order instead of making an online contribution? Please send an email to [email protected]. We will provide an address to mail your donation. 

Thank you for supporting the expansion of the bEarth Work app!

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

 

1. Where can I learn more about bEarth Work?

Visit www.bearthworkapp.com to learn more and subscribe to our email list for regular updates.

 

2. How can we get in touch to discuss potential collaborations and partnerships?

Thank you for your interest.  We would love to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected].

 

3. Where can I send a check or money order donation?

If you would like to make a donation by check or money order, please send an email to [email protected]. We will provide a mailing address. Thank you!

B. Pryor-Young
07/01/2021
Monetary Contribution
$100
Lori Griffith
06/26/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
Andrea Watkins
06/21/2021
Monetary Contribution
$200
Rev. Steven Wheeler
06/19/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
Curtis Taylor
06/19/2021
Monetary Contribution
$100
Pamela Pack
06/19/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
DeeBrown
06/16/2021
Monetary Contribution
$40
Sam
06/14/2021
The bEarth Work Backer
$100
TOYIN ADEMOKUN
06/12/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
Melanie T Scheetz
06/11/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
Monetary Contribution

Choose this option to make a donation of any amount. 
Every dollar donated makes a valuable impact. With your support we can further our mission to expand access to education and support from Black birthworkers through online classes.
Note: If you prefer to send a check/money order, please send an email to [email protected]

57 Supporters
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
The bEarth Work Believer

Thank you for your generous donation. Give $1500 and you will receive the ultimate bEarth Work sponsor reward, which includes the following:

  • A website display of your business logo or name on our sponsor's page and social media acknowledgement
  • A free class of choice on bEarth Work (can also be gifted to someone else)
  • A curated bEarth Work box with items to promote self-care or to prepare for pregnancy and postpartum 
  • A bEarth Work logo mug
15 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
The Dream and Do Donor

Thank you for supporting our dream and mission to expand access to education and support from Black birthworkers through online classes. Donate $500 and receive the following rewards:

  • A website display of your business logo or name on our donor page and social media acknowledgement
  • A curated bEarth Work box with items to promote self-care or to prepare for pregnancy and postpartum 
  • A bEarth Work logo mug
20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
The bEarth Work Backer

When you donate $100 you will receive an exclusive bEarth Work logo mug.

46 Left
14 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
The Meeting of the Minds

Do you have questions about conducting research or evaluating your program or initiative? Ayanna Robinson has over 10 years of research and program evaluation experience, leading and supporting mixed-methods research studies and the evaluation of various public health programs. 

Receive a complementary 60-minute consultation meeting for your project with the bEarth Work Founder.

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Birthworker Package

This reward is for our birthworkers. Donate $150 and you will relieve a lifetime membership on bEarth Work. That's right. This reward includes all updates to the app in the future.

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Atlanta, GA
Created 1 Campaign
Health + Science
Social Good
Tech

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Choose this option to make a donation of any amount. 
Every dollar donated makes a valuable impact. With your support we can further our mission to expand access to education and support from Black birthworkers through online classes.
Note: If you prefer to send a check/money order, please send an email to [email protected]

57 Supporters
Select this reward
1,500.00 USD
The bEarth Work Believer

Thank you for your generous donation. Give $1500 and you will receive the ultimate bEarth Work sponsor reward, which includes the following:

  • A website display of your business logo or name on our sponsor's page and social media acknowledgement
  • A free class of choice on bEarth Work (can also be gifted to someone else)
  • A curated bEarth Work box with items to promote self-care or to prepare for pregnancy and postpartum 
  • A bEarth Work logo mug
15 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
The Dream and Do Donor

Thank you for supporting our dream and mission to expand access to education and support from Black birthworkers through online classes. Donate $500 and receive the following rewards:

  • A website display of your business logo or name on our donor page and social media acknowledgement
  • A curated bEarth Work box with items to promote self-care or to prepare for pregnancy and postpartum 
  • A bEarth Work logo mug
20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
The bEarth Work Backer

When you donate $100 you will receive an exclusive bEarth Work logo mug.

46 Left
14 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
The Meeting of the Minds

Do you have questions about conducting research or evaluating your program or initiative? Ayanna Robinson has over 10 years of research and program evaluation experience, leading and supporting mixed-methods research studies and the evaluation of various public health programs. 

Receive a complementary 60-minute consultation meeting for your project with the bEarth Work Founder.

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Birthworker Package

This reward is for our birthworkers. Donate $150 and you will relieve a lifetime membership on bEarth Work. That's right. This reward includes all updates to the app in the future.

20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward