Thrive Tour tackles crisis in Black maternal health
Dr. Que English is taking bold action to save Black mothers. Through her 2025 National Thrive Maternal Health Tour, she’s bringing life-saving resources directly to communities across 20 cities in the U.S.
Each stop includes a free community baby shower, expert-led panels, on-site health screenings, and access to doulas, midwives, and mental health providers. Her goal is clear—build a village of support around Black and Indigenous families before, during, and after childbirth.
Why Black maternal health needs urgent attention
America has the highest maternal death rate among developed countries. Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the CDC.
“Suicide and substance use disorder are the leading causes of death for women postpartum,” said Dr. English. “We need mental health providers in that village because that’s a part of the solution, too.”
The Thrive Tour isn’t just a health campaign. It’s a movement for survival and dignity. It’s also a response to deep systemic issues in healthcare that leave Black women unheard and underserved.
A grassroots leader with a national mission
Dr. English is the founder and CEO of Elev8 Health Inc. She also led faith-based partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and created the 100 Million Reach Collective. Despite these national roles, her work remains rooted in community.
“I’m grassroots,” she told MadameNoire. “Yes, I worked for Health and Human Services… but everything I do is community-driven.”
That drive powers the Thrive Tour, which is designed to meet families exactly where they are—with culturally competent care and real solutions.
Building trust through culturally competent doulas
During her earlier M.O.M.S. Tour, Dr. English helped certify nearly 600 Black doulas. The Thrive Tour expands that work by putting those doulas on the frontlines of support.
“When I think about bringing our doulas to the forefront to engage with Black women, they are Black doulas,” she explained. “To break the stigma and build trust, they have to look like us.”
Research supports her approach. Studies show doulas reduce C-section rates, improve breastfeeding, and lower risks of complications. Still, many see doulas as a luxury.
Doulas are not a luxury—they’re a lifeline
Dr. English is fighting that mindset. “We don’t need to treat doulas like a bonus,” she said. “They should be the baseline. Every mother deserves support, not just the ones who can afford it.”
Many states now offer Medicaid coverage for doulas. But awareness and access are still a challenge. Through Thrive, English is making sure more mothers know their options—and receive the support they deserve.
A movement built on care, joy, and radical love
The Thrive Tour feels more like a healing circle than a clinic. By including fathers, grandparents, and local leaders, each event helps rebuild trust in systems that have failed too many.
Dr. English isn’t just offering help—she’s reshaping how communities care for mothers.
“It’s about rewriting stories,” she said. “One act of support can change everything.”
