Updated January 2025
The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition Board of Trustees adopted the following Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement written by the NJBC Lactation Equity Committee in 2022:
New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) is committed to creating a coalition that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Together, we strive to foster an environment for learning and a welcoming community for all. The NJBC recognizes that there are racial and socioeconomic barriers that can cause harm and interfere with meeting the needs of lactating families. We strive to be change agents that value accountability, eliminating disparities and collaborating with stakeholders across the state to ensure families, communities, and members’ voices are heard and reflected throughout all NJBC endeavors.
Breastfeeding Organizations’ Diversity/Equity Statements*
Organizations for families and breastfeeding professionals working hard to address disparities:
- United States Breastfeeding Committee – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Perinatal Health Equity Initiative – Mission Statement
- International Lactation Consultant Association – Our Core Values
- Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) – Mission Statement
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Organizations – Mission Statement
Racial Equity & Breastfeeding
Understanding the Issue of Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding:
- The Kellogg Foundation’s Health Equity work
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding [Research article]
- Achieving Breastfeeding Equity and Justice in Black Communities: Past, Present, and Future [Research article]
- Black/African American Breastfeeding Experience: Cultural, Sociological, and Health Dimensions Through an Equity Lens [Research article]
- Interventions and policy approaches to promote equity in breastfeeding [Article]
Resources for Black Families (& supporters)
- Chocolate Milk Cafe: North Jersey Chapter
- Sistahs Who Breastfeed
- Uzazi Village
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association
- ROSE Reaching Out To Sisters Everywhere
- Black Breastfeeding Week
Resources for Native American Families (& supporters):
- Native American Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington [Facebook]
- Oregon Inter-Tribal Breastfeeding Coalition
- Native Mothering
Resources for Latino Families (& supporters):
- Barriers to Breastfeeding for Hispanic Mothers [Research article]
- Binational Breastfeeding Coalition
- Latina Breastfeeding Coalition [Facebook]
- Latina Breastfeeding Leaders (for Latina Breastfeeding Professionals)[Facebook]
- Bringing Our Lessons Home: Racial Equity & Breastfeeding [Facebook]
Additional Cultural Resources:
- e-lactancia (English/Spanish-language resource for medication/breastfeeding)
Organizational Assessment Tools:
- Race Forward: Racial Equity Impact Assessment Toolkit
Other Areas of Diversity
LGBTQIA & Breastfeeding/Parenting
Resources:
Religion & Breastfeeding
Resources:
If there is a problem linking to any of the above resources, please contact NJBreastfeedingCoalition@gmail.com
*The resources in this toolbox are provided for educational purposes to support breastmilk-feeding families. It was adapted from information graciously shared and developed by Laura Gruber, IBCLC, for the Texas Breastfeeding Coalition.
