NJPAC Presents: The Courage In Care Community Event

Join us at The Courage in Care: Community Doulas and the Joyful Revolution of Birth for a special community event that celebrates, reflects on and uplifts the vital role of doulas through storytelling, creativity and community connection.Before the exhibit closes at Newark ArtSpace on July 15, this gathering offers an opportunity for community members to explore the exhibit more deeply.What to expect:

• A guided tour led by In Good Company — the design studio that co-created the exhibit with a statewide doula and maternal health leader advisory council
• Small-group dialogues facilitated by doulas
• A creative lullaby-making activity inspired by doula care led by NJPAC’s Lullaby Project
• Light refreshments and time for networking

Community doulas — trusted, culturally-rooted birth workers — play a vital role in supporting families by providing physical, emotional and informational support during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Their presence has been shown to improve outcomes for both parents and babies, especially in communities historically impacted by systemic inequities.

While New Jersey has made progress toward becoming the safest, and most equitable state in which to have and raise a baby, not all communities have benefited equally. Black women are nearly seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, and Black infants are more than three times as likely to die before their first birthday.

More than an exhibit, The Courage in Care is a love letter to the doulas, birthing parents and communities reshaping what it means to give and receive dignified, culturally grounded care. The exhibit uses photojournalism, audio storytelling and multisensory environments to center Black and Brown birthing families and honor the tradition, joy and justice rooted in doula work.

This event is part of a broader call to action: To raise awareness about the value of doulas, advocate for care rooted in trust and dignity, and support actions and policies that empower families and communities to access and support doula services in New Jersey.

The exhibit and associated community events are produced by NJPAC Arts & Well-Being and supported by the Burke Foundation, Ascend at the Aspen Institute, MERCK for Mothers, Community Health Acceleration Partnership, Turrell Fund, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and MCJ Amelior Foundation.

Need a Lyft? Attendees are eligible for free rides to and from this event. Contact artsandwellbeing@njpac.org for more details.

Registration is free; space is limited to 25 participants per session.