Power U Center for Social Change is launching the POWERful Women and Families Childbirth Classes for pregnant women in Overtown and the surrounding communities. Classes will begin March 25 from 6-8pm.
 
The POWERful classes are innovative and off the beaten path of standard childbirth classes because they serve a dual purpose. The first is to share information with women about their pregnancy, birth and postpartum so that they can make informed and empowered decisions about their health and the health of their baby. The second purpose is to introduce women to social justice organizing so that they can impact positive change as leaders in their communities.

"African American women are almost four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women," explained, Jamarah Amani, community organizer of Power U's POWERful Women and Families Program. "In Miami-Dade county, Black babies are more than twice as likely to die in the first year of life as white babies. These are human rights violations. Racism and poverty are impacting life and death in our communities. These are issues that women want to do something about."
 
The classes, which were also offered last year at Power U, will cover topics ranging from birthing options, nutrition and breastfeeding to reducing toxic housing conditions, improving neighborhood schools and negotiating fair rent prices.

"I feel more respected in these classes," stated one class participant, who is also a teen mom.
 
The classes will be taught by licensed midwife Anjali Sardeshmukh on Thursday nights at 6pm for 14 weeks at Power U Center for Social Change located at 164 NW 20th Street, Miami, FL 33127.

For more information about the POWERful Women and Families Program, visit www.poweru.org.