Mother Justice
Truth Telling Fiction Celebrating Black Motherhood Experiences
Short Film Series
About the Series
Level Forward, in partnership with Population Media Center, is producing a series of narrative short films centered on the theme Black Motherhood: Real Outcomes/Future Visions.
This series will explore both the current realities and potential futures of Black motherhood in the United States, offering a window into the lived experiences and aspirations of Black mothers from a range of socioeconomic, geographic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. As systemic injustice perpetuates a crisis in Black maternal health, the goal of these short films is to foster a deeper, more empathetic understanding of the challenges, triumphs, inequities, and joys that shape Black women’s journeys to and through motherhood in America.
We recognize that films about Black maternal health experiences can elicit strong, painful memories and emotions. Our intention is not to create re-traumatizing films; rather to create stories with some positive deviance - a point of light, hope, something to highlight and build upon. By telling these stories, we aim to surface the kind of disruptive and humanizing perspectives that not only invite audiences to think differently, but that move them to feel and call them to action.
This series will explore both the current realities and potential futures of Black motherhood in the United States, offering a window into the lived experiences and aspirations of Black mothers from a range of socioeconomic, geographic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. As systemic injustice perpetuates a crisis in Black maternal health, the goal of these short films is to foster a deeper, more empathetic understanding of the challenges, triumphs, inequities, and joys that shape Black women’s journeys to and through motherhood in America.
We recognize that films about Black maternal health experiences can elicit strong, painful memories and emotions. Our intention is not to create re-traumatizing films; rather to create stories with some positive deviance - a point of light, hope, something to highlight and build upon. By telling these stories, we aim to surface the kind of disruptive and humanizing perspectives that not only invite audiences to think differently, but that move them to feel and call them to action.
Learn More About the Films
Meet the Partners
Level Forward
is a public benefit entertainment company focused on making brave storytelling. The company works on project and system levels to balance artistic vision, stakeholder return, and social progress. Select films include Olive Nwosu's Lady, Bjork's Cornucopia, Monica Sorelle's Spirit Award-winning Mountains, Nazrin Choudhury's Oscar-nominated and Anthem Award-winning Red, White and Blue, Alex Heller's The Year Between, and Kitty Green's The Assistant. Select Broadway and live shows include Good Night and Good Luck, Suffs, Tony Award-winning Parade, POTUS, What The Constitution Means To Me, Tony Award-winning Oklahoma! And Jagged Little Pill. Browse Level Forward's creative work at levelforward.co, or the company's audience engagement platform at moretotalkabout.com.
Population Media Center
is the global nonprofit and production partner that creates popular entertainment for universal social good. Focused on narrative change, PMC’s award-winning series have been proven to open eyes, minds, and dialogues, guiding communities to vital health and human rights resources. With shows broadcast in the U.S. and 50+ countries, we inspire people, especially women and girls, to rewrite their own life stories.
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda
is a national-state partnership that amplifies and lifts the voices of Black women leaders to secure sexual and reproductive justice for Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Our eight strategic partners are Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision. Together, we deliver proactive advocacy and policy solutions to address issues at the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation and gender identity within the situational impacts of economics, politics and culture that make up the lived experience of Black women in the United States.
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Katie Colley
a writer, producer, and connector working at the intersection of culture, beauty, and conscious storytelling. My perspective is shaped not only by my work, but by my four children — two by birth and two through adoption — who continually deepen how I understand identity, belonging, and the kind of world I hope we’re building.
I’m the voice behind Rising Tides, a Substack newsletter dedicated to highlighting underrepresented entrepreneurs while exploring personal reflections on motherhood, identity, and intentional living.I contribute to and produce stories for State of the Bay on KALW, where I focus on conversations around local culture, equity, and community across the Bay Area.
At the core of my work is a belief in connection — that when we move with intention, support one another, and make conscious choices, we participate in building something larger than ourselves.
I’m the voice behind Rising Tides, a Substack newsletter dedicated to highlighting underrepresented entrepreneurs while exploring personal reflections on motherhood, identity, and intentional living.I contribute to and produce stories for State of the Bay on KALW, where I focus on conversations around local culture, equity, and community across the Bay Area.
At the core of my work is a belief in connection — that when we move with intention, support one another, and make conscious choices, we participate in building something larger than ourselves.
Research
Key Statistics
The following disparities exist across ALL income and education levels
19
The U.S. has about 19 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births—far worse than other wealthy countries
Insights into the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis, 2024; Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2022, 2025
3.5
Black women experience maternal mortality rates approximately 3.5 times higher than white women
Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2022, 2025
The Problem
Black women in the U.S. are 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women—and this gap exists regardless of income or education level
Many Black mothers report that healthcare providers don't listen to them or take their pain seriously, leading to dangerous delays in care
It's not about poverty—even Black women with good insurance and good jobs face discrimination in hospitals simply because of the color of their skin
El-Afandi, M. (2025). Black maternal health desk review. Unpublished report. Population Media Center.
The Solution
Doulas, midwives, and community support groups are game-changers, providing
the personalized care and advocacy that help Black mothers feel heard and safe
the personalized care and advocacy that help Black mothers feel heard and safe
Black women are leading the movement themselves—becoming health advocates, educating each other, and creating the caring spaces they need
When Black mothers can choose culturally affirming care and build strong support networks, outcomes improve dramatically
Cooper-Jarrett, Q., & Kaplan, H. (2025). Black maternal health formative report. Southpaw Insights and Population Media Center.