ABOUT

Pregnant and Black was founded by Rayna Reid Rayford after a series of deeply personal and traumatic encounters with the maternal health system, experiences that exposed the dangerous gaps Black women face during pregnancy and birth. After surviving two miscarriages, a high-risk pregnancy, and a life-threatening appendicitis emergency that could have cost her and her daughter their lives, Rayna realized one painful truth: she survived because she had multiple healthcare professionals in her inner circle, advocating, asking questions, and helping her navigate a system not built to protect her.

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Most Black women do not have that kind of support. Pregnant and Black was born to change that. What began as a late-night idea during a 2 a.m. pumping session, announced publicly during Black Maternal Health Week 2024, has grown into a mission-driven organization committed to ensuring no Black woman faces pregnancy alone.

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We are building a first of its kind digital ecosystem dedicated to Black maternal wellbeing. Our platform offers free access—no insurance required—to trained healthcare advocates who help users navigate appointments, ask the right questions, understand medical information, and liaise directly with the healthcare system on their behalf. 

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Alongside advocacy, we provide culturally aligned resources, real stories from real women, and a community that surrounds each user with support, reassurance, and evidence-based guidance.

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Pregnant and Black is grounded in equity and built on the belief that all Black women, regardless of their income, insurance status, or geography, deserve safety, dignity, and informed support throughout their pregnancy journey. We exist to save lives, restore trust, and rebuild the village it takes for Black women to thrive through pregnancy and beyond.