From Storyboards to Statehouse: Black Women Leaders Spotlight Role of Culture and Media in Maternal Health Policy

      A cross-section of policymakers, storytellers, and advocates gathered April 18 for a discussion on how media narratives shape public policy affecting Black maternal health.

      Hosted by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, the panel — From Storyboards to Statutes: How Narrative Power Shapes Black Maternal Health— featured Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-)37, writer and producer Mara Brock Akil, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, writer Nicole Jefferson Asher, and Dr. Regina Davis Moss, the organization’s president and CEO.

      Held just after Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17), the conversation focused on how portrayals of Black women, pregnancy, and motherhood influence public perception — and ultimately, policy decisions.

      “Black maternal health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s shaped by the stories people see, hear, and come to believe about Black women’s lives,” said Davis Moss. “That’s why our Narrative Power for Justice Initiative is so critical… When we tell fuller, more truthful stories, we don’t just transform culture—we lay the groundwork for policies that truly reflect and protect our communities.”

      The event highlighted the organization’s Narrative Power for Justice Initiative (NPJI), a multi-year effort aimed at reshaping how Black maternal health and reproductive justice are understood through research, storytelling, and advocacy.

      Panelists emphasized the link between cultural representation and legislative outcomes, particularly amid ongoing challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Hollywood.

      “In my line of work, Black women are too often thought of last—if we’re considered at all,” said Kamlager-Dove. “Storytelling isn’t extra – it is essential… so we can drive real, informed solutions.”

      Akil added, “Reproductive health begins when we can make women, young girls, and boys feel safe… When people feel seen and supported, they can tell the truth, grow, and make choices without shame.”

      Through research and its Creators for Change Council, NPJI is working to align authentic storytelling with policy change, advancing more accurate narratives about Black life in mainstream media.