Community Beyoncé-themed baby shower celebrates Black life

According to a 2019 report from the City of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission, “13 of every 1,000 Black babies die before they turn 1 year old, compared with fewer than two per 1,000 white babies.”

On Sunday, the third community Bey-B shower in Pittsburgh aimed to close that gap. The Beyoncé-Renaissance-themed community baby shower is a collaborative event by gooxjy. Co, and is a celebration of the Black birthing journey.

Organizers expected more than 50 people for a dance party with DJ Femi , a mini maternity shoot, yoga and doulas.

Guests received baby supplies at no cost and resources will be provided to pregnant people.

The event was created in Chicago by Fiyah Angelou of the Penny For Your Thots Collective around 2010. Its first year in Pittsburgh was in 2017, organized by Black Femme Excellence Co.

“This is an opportunity to highlight the disparities that are in Black maternal mortality. The numbers are very gut-wrenching,” said Tye Clarke, curator and founder of gooxjy co. “We know from first-hand experience that this is a true thing that Black women experience. A lot of women have trauma around their birthing journey and we just wanted to create an environment where we can uplift Black babies and Black moms.”

Daysiah Foy, 27, of West Mifflin, attended the baby shower in 2018. She was 21 at the time and pregnant with twins. One of the things she appreciated most was the doula.

“There were mentors and people teaching me about birth and breastfeeding, and community resources — so many things that as a first-time mom I didn’t know about. For me to get this advice was very helpful because I didn’t have anyone that could tell me these things,” Foy said. “They had car seats, strollers Pack ‘n Play, clothes, diapers and clothes.

“I ended up (using) all of the things that I got,” she said. “It’s something I’d recommend to any first-time moms and dads.”

Lofty Rose did the mini maternity shoots at the Bey-B shower. Rose said the goal is for the people she photographs to feel supported and safe … “But also to feel free to show up in their emotions, even if that is being overwhelmed or uncertain.”

Rose said Beyoncé is like a mother figure because she embodies confidence, self-love and empowerment.

Alecia Dawn, founder of YOGAMOTIF, facilitated prenatal and post-natal yoga.

“Folks who are pregnant can learn about different laboring and birthing positions and practicing self-care as a foundation,” Dawn said.

Attendees learned breathing and self-soothing techniques.

“If I could only teach prenatal yoga to Black mothers and birthing people, I would,” Dawn said, “It is my heart, that is a place where I find my joy.”

Sueño del Mar is co-founder of OKRA Ethics and co-partner of the event. “The thing that I am excited about is for the moms to get whatever they need, whether that is community, supplies, and one less thing for them to figure out.”