In 2020, COVID‐19 in tandem with racial tensions spurred by various occurrences throughout the nation proved detrimental to minoritized persons. Black women, who are often the heads of households, familial and communal caregivers, and organizers, were tasked with protecting themselves, their families, and their communities from racialized violence and infection. This article explores the idea of safety and the responsibilities of Black women to ensure, secure, and maintain safety. The intersection of these two forces creates dual inequities. Whether sacrificing safety for the sake of racial equality or experiencing medical racism while seeking treatment for COVID‐19, the duality of Being black and a woman during two prevalent threats exacerbate existing inequities. Using symbolic interactionism to illustrate the function of structures and roles in defining Black women's positionality and intersectionality to examine the policies and systems that act on the lives of these women, we discuss the ways in which Black women created safety for themselves and their families at the intersection of both threats emphasizing the inequity in home, health, and financial outcomes among Black women.

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Objectives 1) To explore how racism-related stress impacts Black women's health, pregnancy, and parenting. 2) To explore how a culturally-specific program affects the relationship between racism-related stress and Black women's health, pregnancy, and parenting. Methods This qualitative study uses a Black Feminist approach to center the lived experiences and perspectives of Black women. Focus groups were conducted with clients and staff of a culturally-specific program that provides perinatal care for Black families. A thematic analysis was conducted using a Reproductive Justice framework as a guide. Results Participants consisted of 23 program clients and staff who all identified as Black women. Four themes emerged from the analysis: 1) The pervasive reach of structural racism, 2) Shared identities facilitate trust and healing, 3) Racism directly impacts mental health, and 4) Advocacy on macro and micro levels is a vital service. Conclusions for Practice Results show the chronicity and toxicity of structural racism on Black women's physical and mental health. The presence of overt and subtle forms of racism occur in multiple systems and require interventions on macro-and micro-levels. Culturally-specific perinatal care programs that prioritize racial concordance between providers and clients/ patients are well-received and effective models of care. Black perinatal care should include culturally-specific approaches, advocacy on behalf of and alongside Black people, mental health support with attention to racism-related stress, and interrogation of implicit bias. Multipronged interventions guided by Reproductive Justice principles provide a holistic framework to address interpersonal and systemic racial oppression.

Introduction: Black perinatal health workers are part of a tradition of Black people fighting for the well-being of Black communities. The purpose of this article is to better understand the unique experiences of these professionals. Method: Descriptive qualitative research was used to understand Black providers’ experiences in a culturally specific perinatal public health program. A focus group was conducted with seven nurses and community health workers, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Three themes emerged: (a) shared lived experience and parallel process between staff and clients; (b) navigating multiple shifting gazes between clients, public health department, and medical systems; and (c) reproductive justice and community care characterize a culturally informed approach. Discussion: Findings revealed strengths and complexities facing Black nurses and community health workers in their roles. More work is needed in education, practice, and research to better prepare and support nurses and community health workers in culturally specific settings.

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