Pre Reg 2027 Torrance Memorial Medical Center, BRA Run, Los Angeles

Black Maternal Health Week 2026 is almost here!

April 11-17th is Black Maternal Health Week and we are hosting our 4rd annual 5K Walk to help raise awareness..

The Black infant and maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. is a national issue. Beauty for Ashes Maternal Wellness Inc .is hosting a 5K Walk to raise awareness, and to raise funds to provide support to families in need.

Black women and birthing people are 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes and complications than their white counterparts. Most pregnancy related deaths are preventable. Multiple factors contribute to these disparities, such as structural racism, implicit bias, variation in quality healthcare, and underlying chronic conditions. Social determinants of health have historically prevented many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) was founded and is led by Black Mamas Matter Alliance. BMHW takes place annually from April 11-17 and was recognized by the White House on April 13, 2021. It is a week of awareness, advocacy, activism, and collaboration​ to amplify ​the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.

This year's theme is "Rooted in Justice & Joy".

Purpose: To raise awareness, promote activism, and amplify community-driven, Reproductive Justice-centered care.

Infant mortality is defined as death during the first year of life. The United States has a high infant mortality rate, and Black babies are in the gravest danger, with an infant mortality rate in 2018 of 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to a rate of 4.6 White babies per 1,000 live births.

Day of the Black Infant The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared April 16 as the Day of the Black Infant.

Doula support has been shown to help improve birth outcomes so we are working to make doula support more accessible to Black birthing families, while also supporting the doulas that have committed themselves to providing that support. Click here to learn more about the evidence on doula support

Beauty for Ashes Maternal Wellness, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of women, infants and birthing families as well as the birth workers that are called to serve them. Funds raised will be used to cover the cost of labor and postpartum doula support, lactation support, and supplemental supportive services including transportation and nutritional support. To learn more about the programs and services we provide, please click here .

The walk will be held in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Birth Equity Consortium Doula Hub located at 5838 Overhill Dr. #3 L.A. CA, 90043.

Our Virtual walk is for people that are not local to Los Angeles but would still like to support and show solidarity. We will kick off the virtual walk on Saturday April 11th and continue through Sunday April 12th. Participants can walk anytime, any where. We look forward to seeing and sharing all of your pictures and videos, so don't forget to tag www.instagram.com/beauty4ashesmaternalwellness Join us and help save Black moms and babies.

DON'T FORGET THE HASHTAGS

#BMHW2026 #BFAMW #BEAUTY4AHSESWELLNESS #BLACKMATERNALHEALTHWEEK #BIRTHJUSTICE #ENDMATERNALMORTALITY

DATES TO REMEMBER

• APRIL 1-30: NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

• APRIL 11-17: BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

• APRIL 11-12: VIRTUAL WALK Walk anytime, anywhere throughout the weekend in solidarity with us

• APRIL 11: INTERNATIONAL DAY for MATERNAL HEALTH RIGHTS

• APRIL 11: COMMUNITY 5K WALK IN LOS ANGELES

• APRIL 16: DAY OF THE BLACK INFANT

The Denim Run LA

Race Description + Wellness Festival

Starting at the edge of the Ocean View Park, 5K runners will head onto the hard-packed beach for an out-and-back course. This stunning oceanfront route is the perfect place to celebrate joy, strength, and solidarity together as a community. When runners return to the pier, they’ll be welcomed into our vibrant Wellness Festival—featuring nonprofits, local companies, classes, arts and crafts, and interactive exhibits designed to inspire healing, empowerment, and connection.

Sunday, April 12th, 2026 — Ocean View Park

Main Address: 2701 Barnard Wy, Santa Monica, CA 90405

We can’t wait to welcome you to the pier for an unforgettable day of purpose, empowerment, and denim-powered joy. Lace up, show up, and stand with survivors at the 2026 Denim Run LA!

Join us in supporting sobriety one stride at a time. Enjoy a four mile one-way run/walk, mostly along the beach bike path, from Valley Park in Hermosa Beach to an AA meeting (starting at 10am) in the sand in Redondo Beach. No medals. No chip timing. No swag. And no fees!

This free community-building event is hosted by Strides in Recovery. We are a local nonprofit which helps newly sober individuals grow physically, emotionally and mentally stronger so they can do their best at the hard work of recovery. We achieve these results by coaching people in Los Angeles County addiction treatment programs to complete events ranging from 5Ks to full marathons.

Register before price increase at midnight April 13, 2026

Pre-Race Day Packet Pickup: Thursday April 23rd 5-8pm, Friday April 24th 11am-7pm

Online Registration Closes at 8pm on Friday, April 24th.

Race Morning Packet Pick Up and In-Person registration will open at 6:30am on April 25th.

• 5K Run/Walk is an easy-to-moderate hill course loop through local neighborhoods on closed streets. The 10K Run essentially runs the 5K loop twice.

• 1K Fun Run for kids ages 6 to 10. 1/2K Fun Run for kids ages 2 to 5. All youth, 10 and under, registered for the 5K receive a free Fun Run entry.

• Event includes large Post Race Finish Line Expo.

• USA Track and Field (USATF) Sanctioned Event (26-33-160500) with Certified Courses (CA21007TEB and CA21021TEB).

• Chip timing. Mile markers. Multiple water stations.

• This event is a USATF Southern California Association (SCA) 2026 Road Running Grand Prix Series Event.

• Proceeds benefit the El Segundo Unified Schools, supporting students pre-K-12th grade.

• Start/finish: El Segundo High School, 640 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245.

• All 5K, 10K, and Fun Run participants receive custom die cast finisher medals.

• All registrants receive custom race t-shirt (while supplies last) and goodie bag.

• Awards: Top 3 Overall Male and Female 5K and 10K Winner Trophies; Medals for Top 3 in each age category: 0-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-17, (0-12 and 13-17 for 10K), 18-23, 24-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 plus. Team type winners each receive special medals.

EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE

Fun racing road mile series. All runners are welcome.

8:00 am: Coed – open mile (all ages)

8:15 am: Coed – masters mile (40+ years)

8:30 am: Coed youth (17 years and under)

8:45 am: Elite women mile (Under 5:15/mile qualifying time)

All registration fees will be donated to the Wildfire Recovery Fund – California Community Foundation, to provide direct financial support for communities affected by the LA fires in 2025.