As Pennsylvania lawmakers advance budget priorities that include maternal health initiatives, community leaders are mobilizing grassroots efforts to address a devastating public health crisis: Black infant mortality rates that continue to impact families across Philadelphia.
The statistics are damning. According to March of Dimes data, Black infants in Pennsylvania die at more than twice the rate of white infants, with Black infant mortality rates of 10.2 per 1,000 births compared to 4.3 for white infants during 2020-2022. Nationally, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, according to the CDC.
On July 29, Philadelphia residents have an opportunity to engage with this crisis through a community screening of “The Ebony Canal: A Story on Black Infant Mortality” that is being held at the Penn Museum located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The award-winning documentary, narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis, features Pennsylvania voices including Dr. Aasta Mehta, Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, and State Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, exposing how systemic racism in healthcare creates preventable tragedies.
The film follows the pregnancy journeys of four women, revealing how implicit bias, inadequate prenatal care, and structural inequities contribute to outcomes that should shock every Pennsylvanian’s conscience. The documentary has earned critical acclaim and multiple awards at prestigious film festivals for its unflinching examination of institutional failures.
This screening represents more than awareness-raising. Community advocates argue that documentaries like “The Ebony Canal” serve as catalysts for local action where state and federal policies fall short.
The film screening is being hosted by Community Hero PA in partnership with Cocolife, and includes panel discussions with local leaders including Emmy-award winning film producer Emmai Alaquiva, local mother Tatiana Bagby, and PA Representative Morgan Cephas, plus opportunities to connect with organizations working on maternal health initiatives. Proceeds from the event will support nine Pennsylvania-based organizations advancing Black maternal wellness, making this screening both educational and directly impactful for local communities. Community Hero PA and Cocolife’s partnership underscores the urgency — community education and mobilization can drive policy changes that save lives.
This public screening at Penn Museum offers every Philadelphia resident a chance to join the conversation and become part of the solution. Complete event information, including registration details, is available at ebonycanalphilly.com.
Full event details are available at ebonycanalphilly.com
