Zeta Phi Beta Delivers Critical Maternal and Infant Health Resources to Nearly 2,000 Mississippians During Global Day of Service

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated delivered critical health, wellness, and community resources to nearly 2,000 Mississippians during its Global Day of Service initiative, held from January 16–17, 2026, amid a declared public health emergency tied to rising infant mortality rates in the state.

The two-day initiative, titled the Power of S.H.E. Community Blueprint, was implemented across Cleveland, Canton, and Jackson, Mississippi, and focused on addressing the state’s maternal and infant health crisis through direct service delivery, education, and community engagement. The effort followed a recent declaration by the Mississippi State Department of Health responding to alarming infant mortality statistics across the state.

The initiative builds upon Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s long-standing leadership in birth equity, including its more than 50-year partnership with the March of Dimes and its signature Stork’s Nest™ program, a community-based model focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

“This initiative reflects what Founders’ Day truly represents — service in action,” said Dr. Stacie NC Grant, International President & CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. “We didn’t come to raise awareness alone. We came to deliver solutions, resources, and hope as a blueprint for other maternal deserts across the country.”

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s work in Mississippi was carried out alongside national partners including the March of Dimes, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Higher Heights for America, D-Free, Black Votes Matter, Black Health Matters, the Black Women’s Roundtable, and Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated. Local partners included the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health, Magnolia Medical Foundation, Mom.me, Mississippi Center for Justice, Mississippi Families for Kids, Mississippi Public Health Association, Mississippi State Department of Health, Six Dimensions, The She Project, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dynamic Wellness Medical Clinic, and the Mallory Community Health Center.

“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s Community Blueprint work in Mississippi exemplifies the type of community-centered programming needed to advance health equity and address the maternal and infant health crisis impacting Black families,” said Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Inaugural International Health Equity Think Tank Director.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, Black infants in Mississippi died at a rate of 15.2 per 1,000 live births in 2024, more than double the rate for white infants, which stood at 5.8 per 1,000 live births, highlighting the racial inequities driving the crisis.

“Black women and our babies are literally dying,” Amutah-Onukagha said. “When we engage our neighborhoods in identifying urgent needs, uniting diverse partners, and implementing targeted strategies we can create meaningful, sustainable progress towards maternal and infant health equity and in turn save our moms and babies.”

During the initiative, 1,920 maternal and infant care kits were distributed to expectant and new mothers. On-site services included health screenings, HIV testing, financial and insurance education, voter registration opportunities, and the distribution of nutritious snacks. The initiative also convened healthcare professionals, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers, reinforcing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing health disparities.

“This moment demands bold and coordinated action,” said Zakiya Summers, Mississippi District 68 Representative and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. “Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s Power of S.H.E. Community Blueprint unites community leadership with legislative solutions to advance maternal health policies that expand care, support families, and confront disparities that have gone unaddressed for far too long.”

Summers noted that the initiative aligns with legislative efforts such as the Mississippi Maternal Health Momnibus Act, aimed at expanding access to care, strengthening the maternal health workforce, and centering Black women and families in policy solutions.

The Power of S.H.E. Community Blueprint is designed as a scalable model for aligning advocacy, service, and partnerships to achieve measurable outcomes. Organizers noted that the Jackson activation will serve as a reference point for future community-based health and justice initiatives nationwide.