founded by:
Shekita Long
Cultural and community doula
Why this Archive Exists
Black women have always been healers, midwives, and birthkeepers.
For generations, Black midwives delivered babies, supported families, and carried cultural knowledge that sustained communities through segregation, discrimination, and unequal medical systems.
Yet much of this history remains undocumented.
Through oral histories, digital exhibits, and community contributions, this archive ensures that the knowledge and experience of Black birthworkers and families are recorded, honored and shared with future generations.
What We Are Building
The Black Birth Archive of Detroit will grow into a living museum and cultural archive dedicated to the history of Black maternal Health.
The project includes:
- Oral history interviews with midwives, doulas, nurses, and mothers
- Documentation of Detroit's Black medical Institutions
- Digital exhibits exploring birth traditions across African diaspora
- A growing collection of artifacts and Archival materials
- Public education about maternal health disparities and birth justice
In the future, the archive will expand into a Black Maternal Health Museum and Birthworker Education Center.
