In honor of International Day for Maternal Health and Rights and Black Maternal Health Week, join Level Forward and AMC Networks, in partnership with In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, for an affirming and inspiring multi‑part program at IFC Center – Movies & Movements on Motherhood blends award‑winning documentary storytelling with urgent narrative fiction works, community voices, and cross‑sector maternal health advocates. Join for one part of the programming, or all! Either way – prepare to be motivated by the power of storytelling and ready to honor Black motherhood and caregiving.
Capacity is limited. RSVP required. Reserve your seat today!
Part I. 2:30PM-4:30PM
Encore screening Of AFTERSHOCK, Followed By Panel Discussion
Watch the Sundance Award‑Winning Documentary AFTERSHOCK – a powerful account of preventable Black maternal deaths and the community organizing and family‑led advocacy born in their wake – followed by a panel discussion featuring storytellers, advocates, and public‑health leaders to be announced.
Part II. 5PM-6:30PM
Screening Of Emmai Alaquiva’s THE EBONY CANAL, Followed By Level Forward’s More To Talk About Ft. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda
Experience an exclusive screening of Emma Alaquiva’s NAACP Image Award-winning documentary short narrated by Viola Davis – THE EBONY CANAL. Then, join Level Forward’s More To Talk About in partnership with In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda for an inspiring conversation highlighting the storytellers and changemakers participating in a new narrative short film series – MOTHER JUSTICE – truth-telling fiction honoring Black Motherhood, backed by research and possibilities.
Part III. 6:45PM-8:45PM
Screening Of Brittney Russell’s You Are Not Alone, Followed By Audience Dialogue
Watch the Detroit Film Festival Award-Winning Documentary YOU ARE NOT ALONE – A deeply human look at maternal mental health, postpartum emotional experiences, and culturally attuned care for mothers navigating under‑resourced clinical environments – followed by an empowering dialogue that leaves audiences with tools to create change.
To honor the life of Shamony Gibson and support transformative maternal health activism in her memory, please contribute to the ARIAH Foundation
To honor the life of Amber Rose Issac and support transformative maternal health activism in her memory, please contribute to the Save a Rose Foundation.
To learn more, please visit the film's website www.aftershockdocumentary.com/
Watch AFTERSHOCK on Hulu www.hulu.com/movie/aftershock
Join the Movie Movement - Learn More about MOTHER JUSTICE
Amanda Morell: One tangible step I encourage our audience to take is actively participating in the ecosystem that allows these stories to exist by donating, sharing, and advocating for the work that challenges the very system that often tries to dismantle us. As we move into post-production, we are continuing our fundraising efforts to support our composers, sound design, color correction, and festival deliverables. All is essential for us to bring this film to life. Donate here.
Regina Davis-Moss: Notice the gap between the stories you’re seeing about Black motherhood and what feels true because it’s rooted in lived experience and systemic context, not just outcomes. Then take one step to close that gap. Commit to share a story of Black women’s experiences and support a Black-led reproductive justice organizations, working to expand what is just and possible for Black women and families. Start at blackrj.org/about-us/herstory/
Lauren Whitehead: Buy a book on the reality of black maternal health at a local book store, such as –– We Live For the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood by Dani McClain. I think there is an assumption that poor maternal health care is a community specific issue but this books helps us understand how what happens to some of us is coming for all of us. The more you know about the most targeted among us, the more equipped you are to protect yourself and your community.
Emmai Alaquiva: Listen to the Black mothers in your life, invest in the people guiding them safely through birth, and demand more from the systems that hold their care. Find the midwives, doulas, and birth workers in your own city and support the care they are already providing. Start learning about comprehensive doulas services here.
To continue supporting this work, please check out The Birthing Place. Let’s Build a Community Birth Center in the Bronx! thebirthingplace.co/support-our-growth/
