Rainier Valley Midwives Archives | South Seattle Emerald

by Mark Van Streefkerk

To create a more equitable world, change has to happen at birth, and the devastating fact is that BIPOC have the worst birth outcomes, a crisis that Rainier Valley Midwives (RVM) seeks to change in the South End. RVM Executive Director Tara Lawal explained, “Black and Brown babies are dying 3–4 times more than white babies, or having preterm birth. I can chalk it up to systemic racism and institutionalized racism in America. Racism is a public health issue and is directly impacting pregnant people and newborns … I have hope that in our small neck of the woods, we can make a difference.”

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by CHS

(This article was originally published on the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog and has been reprinted under an agreement.)

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced this year’s Equitable Development Initiative grants Tuesday including a new wave of funding for Central District organizations.

She also signed legislation finalizing the transfer of city properties to community organizations including the Central Area Senior Center on 30th Avenue South and Fire Station 6 at 23rd Avenue and East Yesler Way.

Africatown Community Land Trust and Byrd Barr Place were key organizations on the day. CHS reported here on Africatown’s plans to transform the unused fire station into a new technology center development as Byrd Barr Place is also taking ownership of the former fire station on 18th Avenue that it calls home. Both organizations also received a new round of EDI grants, according to Tuesday’s announcement.

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