During a recent Fayetteville city council meeting, Mayor Mitch Colvin proclaimed the week of August 25th through 31st as Black Breastfeeding Awareness Week, emphasizing the importance of community support for breastfeeding among Black families. The proclamation aligns with World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, which aim to promote breastfeeding as a vital health practice.

The mayor highlighted the significant health benefits of breastfeeding, citing research from leading health organizations that links breastfeeding to lower rates of childhood illnesses and maternal health risks. He praised local initiatives, particularly Momma's Village Fayetteville, which is recognized as the first breastfeeding clinic and community-based human milk bank on the East Coast.

Community members, including licensed speech-language pathologist Hamza Raman and doula Lisa Diggs, spoke about the challenges faced by Black mothers in accessing breastfeeding support. They noted disparities in breastfeeding initiation rates, with 89% of white women starting breastfeeding compared to 80% of Black women in Cumberland County. The speakers called for increased representation in lactation support, urging the need for more Black International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and for Cape Fear Valley Hospital to achieve \"baby-friendly\" status.

The discussion also touched on the necessity of creating a breastfeeding-friendly city and supporting paid leave for new mothers, alongside advocating for mental health resources for postpartum care. The community's commitment to improving breastfeeding rates and health outcomes for Black families was underscored as a crucial step toward addressing health disparities in Fayetteville.