As the country tries to contain the coronavirus pandemic and quell social unrest, the alarming mortality rate of Black mothers and their babies have been just as pressing of a national crisis.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women. Politicians like Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Lauren Underwood are scrambling to get legislation passed to support expecting mothers, Blavity previously reported.

Jill Scott Presents: J.ill the Podcast, a series co-hosted by Grammy-winning singer Jill Scott, Aja Graydon-Dantzler of Kindred the Family Soul and Laiya St.Clair, recorded a special episode in acknowledgement of Black Maternal Health Week. The episode was followed up with a Saturday night after show which featured a special guest from the April 13 episode, comedian Michelle Buteau. The women delved into a powerful and candid conversation about Black maternity, the medical system and Black womanhood.

During the chat, Scott and her co-hosts shared personal stories about fertility, relationships and how they've come to understand what family means to them.

Here were just some of the highlights:

Laiya-St.Clair

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