Research & News

Group of seven women posing outdoors in front of a sign that says 'Work in Progress,' at an outdoor event with trees and tents in the background.
A woman in a gray t-shirt and sunglasses is interviewing a pregnant woman in a pink dress and denim jacket, with two other women standing nearby, at an outdoor event with a backdrop displaying "Build Birth Detroit" logos.
Five women standing in front of a backdrop with Build Birth Detroit logos, smiling, including a pregnant woman in a pink dress, and others in casual clothing.
Two women hugging and smiling in front of a backdrop with the words 'Birth Detroit' and 'Build Birth Detroit' logos.
A group of five people standing in front of a backdrop with the text 'Birth Detroit' and 'Build Birth Detroit.' Two women, one man, and two babies, all smiling, are in the picture. The women are holding the babies, and they appear to be at a communit
Four people posing in front of a backdrop with 'Build Birth Detroit' logos, smiling, two women and two men, wearing casual clothing, one woman holding a certificate.
Four women and a baby celebrating indoors, with colorful artwork on the wall behind them.
People engaging in conversation at an art gallery with colorful paintings on the wall.
Two women sit across from each other at a table in an art gallery, engaged in conversation. One woman has curly hair and is wearing a black T-shirt, while the other has straight hair and is wearing a brown top. There are potted orchids and drinks on
Two women hugging and smiling in a busy indoor cafe or event space, with other people in the background.
Woman speaking into a microphone at an indoor social event with other women, plants, and artwork on the walls.
A family of four smiling for a photo in front of a backdrop with logos related to reproductive justice and Michigan. The mother, seated on the left, has dark hair and sunglasses on her head. The daughter sitting on her lap wears sunglasses and a grey
Group of women sitting at a table with a blue tablecloth that reads 'Build BIRTH DETROIT' in a modern cafe or event space, with people standing and conversing in the background.
A person with a backpack and headphones sitting on the floor operating a professional camera and monitor, capturing footage.

Research

Press Releases

‘It’s Never Been Done:’ Black-led Birthing Center to Serve Detroit

Rewire News Group, September 16, 2024

Stories From the Field: Leseliey Welch

The Milken Institute, May 15, 2024

Stateside Podcast: A Birth Center for Detroiters

Michigan Public Radio, March 7, 2024

Women Steer a Bold Midwifery Movement in Detroit

Michigan Chronicle, October 30, 2023

Birth Detroit Addresses Black Infant Mortality Rate

Outlier Media, September 5, 2023

‘Because Detroit deserves it’: Birthing center coming to city’s west side is more than labor of love

WDIV Channel 4 News, August 11, 2023

Building community through building families A birth center providing safe births for mothers in Detroit

WDIV Channel 4 Detroit, July 14, 2023

'Freedom dreaming is in our blood' 5 questions for public health visionary Leseliey Welch

The Examined Family, March 30, 2023

Changes to maternal health policy in Michigan could save lives of Black women

MLIVE, Politics & Elections, March 17, 2023


Maternal health disparities: Community Foundation invests in Black women-led nonprofits working to close the gap

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, March 16, 2023


Detroit midwife clinic works to cut pregnancy-related deaths for Black women

WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit, March 15, 2023

How Leseliey Welch is Putting Black Maternal Health in the Spotlight and Her Push for More Black Birthing Centers

Ebony Magazine, November 25, 2022

Meet Leseliey Welch, The Woman Who's Saving Moms and Their Newborns With Her New Birth Center Initiative

Because of Them We Can, October 25, 2022

Birth Detroit, a Premiere Black-Owned Birthing Center, Finds Home

Black Enterprise, October 22, 2022

Meet The Black Entrepreneur Working To Save The Lives Of Birthing Mothers And Their Babies

Forbes Online, Oct 19, 2022

Birth Detroit, a Premiere Black-Owned Birthing Center, Finds Home 

BLAC Detroit Magazine online: October 7, 2022

In The News

Abstracts/Articles

OpEd: Midwifery Care Improves Health Outcomes – and is Cost-effective

Crain’s Detroit Business, February 28, 2023
Author: Leseliey Welch

We Are Not Asking Permission to Save Our Own Lives Black-Led Birth Centers to Address Health Inequities

The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing ; April/June 2022 - Volume 36 - Issue 2
Authors: Welch, Leseliey MPH, MBA; Branch Canady, Renee PhD, MPA; Harmell, Chelsea MPH; White, Nicole BS, CPM; Snow, Char'ly MSN, CNM; Kane Low, Lisa PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Birth Centers are Crucial for Communities of Color, Especially in the Pandemic

Rewire News, April 15, 2020 
Authors: Leseliey Welch and Nashira Baril