Race for Black Mommas & Maternal Health: 5K Road Race, Fun Run & Walk

🏃‍♀️ Inaugural Race for Black Maternal Health

The Florida Black Maternal Health Week Initiative at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health is hosting the 2nd Annual #BMHWofTampaBay and #BMHW2025 and we are thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Race for Black Maternal Health on Saturday, April 12, 2025! This event provides several opportunities for participation including walk, fun run, or timed 5k that welcomes participants of all skill levels. Additionally, this is a hybrid race with a virtual option as well. Virtual Race for Black Maternal Health will take place anytime during Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, 2025.

🎉 Event Purpose

• Community Engagement: During the #BMHWofTampaBay, we hope to plan a race day filled with education, empowerment, and encouragement to promote health & wellness for all.
• Support for Black Mommas: By joining together, we believe we can foster a healthier and more supportive community for our Black Mommas and babies.
• Acknowledgment Platform: The Race for Black Maternal Health is much more than just a race & walk: we are creating a platform to acknowledge Black Mommas.
• Equity Awareness: Our goal is to encourage more equitable hospital birth environments in light of disparities experienced by Black mothers in Florida.

📝 Registration

Each race registration completed before Friday, March 28, includes #BMHWofTampaBay Race Swag Bag. The #BMHWofTampaBay Race Swag Bag includes a bib, t-shirt, medal & bag. Participate by registering for one of the following options:

• 5k Race: for Black Maternal Health on April 12, 2025 (In-Person)
• 1k Fun Run & Walk: for Black Maternal Health on April 12, 2025 (In-Person)
• 5k Virtual Race: for Black Maternal Health anytime between April 11-17, 2025
• 1k Virtual Fun Run & Walk: for Black Maternal Health anytime between April 11-17, 2025

📅 Event Schedule

Early Packet Pick-Up Options

• MOMMA Fest Early Packet Pick-up: Pick-up your #BMHWofTampaBay Race Swag & Packet on Friday, April 11, 2025 between 5:00-8:00pm at Florida Black Maternal Health Week Initiative TBA during the MOMMA Fest. Come for your packet and stay for the FREE fun, MOMMA Fest is a community block party, health fair, and family fun day. Registration is required, sign up for the MOMMA Fest today!
• Shipping Option: Ship #BMHWofTampaBay Race Swag via USPS for an additional fee. Shipping available to Domestic United States only. Participants must register by 3/29/2024 to qualify.

Race Day Schedule:

• Packet Pick-Up: 7:00-7:30am
• Warm-Up: 7:30-8:00am
• Events Begin: 8:00am
  1. 5K Race for Black Maternal Health
  2. 1k Fun Run & Walk for Black Maternal Health
• Closing & Gratitude

📢 About #BMHWofTampaBay

In Florida, Black Mommas were nearly 4 times more likely to pass away due to pregnancy-related causes in 2020. Racial inequality in birth outcomes in Florida continues to persist despite years of voiced concern about inequitable access and provision of perinatal care. Black Maternal Health Week was created by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018 and is celebrated annually during National Minority Health Month on April 11-17.

The Florida Black Maternal Health Week Initiative is a collaborative space led by the Community Hub in the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida in partnership with several community organizations across the Tampa Bay area. In Tampa Bay and beyond, we hope people across all races, ethnicities, and nationalities will join us during Black Maternal Health Week of Tampa Bay and support efforts to improve the disparate birth outcomes among African American and Black Mommas and babies. Interested in learning more? Find more information about this initiative, our events, and more ways to get involved here.

🤝 Opportunities to Support

Interested in contributing? Here is various ways you can support:

• Register: and attend the in-person Inaugural Race for Black Maternal Health on April 13, 2024.
• Virtual Participation: Can’t attend in-person? Register and participate in our Virtual Race for Black Maternal Health. Participate anytime between April 11-17, 2024!
• Share: the Inaugural Race for Black Maternal Health with family & friends!
• Support: us in this work to help save Black Mommas and babies by donating directly to the Black Maternal Health Week Fund at the University of South Florida Foundation, Inc.
• Join Us: for other #BMHWofTampaBay events! Learn more here.