> At a Glance
> – Dr. Janell Green Smith, a 31-year-old South Carolina midwife, died from childbirth complications delivering her first child
> – Known as the “Loc’d Midwife,” she championed Black maternal health and partnered with Hive Impact Fund
> – The American College of Nurse-Midwives calls her death “a profound failure of the systems meant to protect birthing people”
> – Why it matters: Smith’s passing spotlights the disproportionate risks Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth
Dr. Janell Green Smith, a respected midwife and advocate for Black maternal health, died on January 2 from complications while giving birth to her first baby. Her passing at 31 has reignited urgent conversations about systemic racism in U.S. maternity care.
A Life Dedicated to Safer Births
Smith built her career around protecting mothers. Through her work with the nonprofit Hive Impact Fund, she focused on early-childhood support for moms. Colleagues knew her as “the Loc’d Midwife,” a nod to her signature locs and unapologetic pride in her identity.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives praised her as:
- A respected midwife
- A rigorous scholar
- A tireless advocate for equitable, evidence-based care
“Heartbreaking and Unacceptable”
In a Facebook statement, the college did not mince words:
> American College of Nurse-Midwives:
> “That a Black midwife and maternal health expert died after giving birth in the United States is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
They emphasized that Black women face higher pregnancy-related risks regardless of education, income, or professional stature, citing systemic racism and care failures.
A Community Responds
A GoFundMe organized for Smith’s husband, Daiquan, and their newborn aims to:
- Cover funeral and memorial costs
- Pay immediate living expenses
- Purchase newborn essentials
- Provide ongoing support
Organizers say every donation, message, and prayer helps the family navigate sudden loss.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Smith’s death highlights persistent racial disparities in maternal outcomes
- Her advocacy work spanned direct care and policy collaboration
- The midwifery profession vows to intensify efforts against racial inequities
- Community fundraising seeks to stabilize her surviving husband and child
As tributes pour in, Smith’s legacy fuels renewed calls to fix the very system she worked to improve.
