Proud parents with toddler sitting on the couch.

About OKBEI

OKBEI works tirelessly to equip families to have healthy births with dignity and reduce health challenges among expecting parents—so that all of Oklahoma can grow together.

Young black parents holding newborn baby.

Since 2019, the Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative (OKBEI) has worked closely with local community partners in a collaborative effort to explore and implement evidence-based strategies that address clear gaps in how we address maternal conception, pregnancy, mortality, and morbidity in our community.

We Include and Support All Kinds of Families

We focus our efforts wherever the need to improve wellness outcomes in Oklahoma is greatest—ensuring that everyone is seen and heard with compassion and care, so we can create better health experiences for Oklahoma parents and children.

We’re Giving a Voice to the Need — and Finding Solutions

Data shows that Black, Native, Latine, teen, and justice-involved women are much more likely to experience obstacles to quality health care before, during, and after pregnancy. They are also more likely to face economic hurdles and have chronic health conditions that affect their conception, pregnancies, and births.

At OKBEI, we are changing this trend for the better. We’re creating a variety of local, community-focused programs and strategies to create healthy and joyous outcomes for all parents and babies in Oklahoma.

Why We Do What We Do

Stress, healthcare challenges, and lack of communal support contribute greatly to these pregnancy outcomes, regardless of the woman’s socioeconomic, educational, or health status.

Young hispanic couple expecting.

In Oklahoma, Black women are 3x and Native American & Alaska Native women are 2.5x more likely to die from pregnancy- and birth-related causes.

About 3 in 5 of these tragic deaths are preventable—especially when consistent community support, education, and attentive medical care are offered to all.

Mission

The Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative equips families to have healthy births with dignity and reduce maternal health disparities—creating a healthier, more equitable Oklahoma for all.

Teen couple in library
Family hug with three kids.
young couple embracing
Family moment, with mother supporting toddler on father shoulders.
Three women simultaneously kissing baby
Young mother watching baby sleep in bed.

Vision

At Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative, we envision an Oklahoma in which all people are centered and respected before, during, and after pregnancy.

Discover the Difference We’re Making

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Having our doula at the hospital with us was everything we didn't know we needed. Her emotional and physical support, encouragement and ability to stay calm while my whole family was stressing was so needed.
Doula services recipient
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My doula was always encouraging and supportive. She helped me to problem solve around my cares and concerns as I prepared for labor and delivery, experienced delivery and navigated postpartum. Without my doulas help it would've been extremely challenging to prepare and get support.
Doula services recipient
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My doula was amazing! I felt very prepared and comfortable for the birth of my son and the after care as well with the help and easiness of my doulas teachings.
Doula services recipient
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Maggie
Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative has been much more than a doula training program to me. It has become a community of sisters. The facilitators were amazing and insightful. This program helped me grow as a woman and a doula. It was such an incredible journey that I’m honored to have been a part of.
Community Based Doula Program Graduate
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Iterea
Being in the doula training program taught me a lot. I didn't realize there was so much to learn about pregnancy & labor/delivery even after having 2 children of my own. I learned a lot and met so many great women in my class. My experience in the community-based doula training program was great.
Community Based Doula Program Graduate
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Calen
The doula training has been life-changing and so empowering. In the program, I gained a deeper understanding of pregnancy and childbirth. I also gained a sense of community and sisterhood within my training group. I highly recommend this training program!
Community Based Doula Program Graduate

Funding Transparency

George Kaiser Family Foundation Logo
BEST logo
Safer Childbirth Cities Logo