What began as a virtual sanctuary for Black mothers navigating the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice has blossomed into a powerful movement for community, healing, and health equity. Now, five years later, the United Black Mothers of America (UBMA) is celebrating its milestone anniversary with a wellness event that speaks directly to the heart of its mission: uplifting Black women through care, connection, and collective empowerment.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, UBMA will host its 5th Anniversary Celebration at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Bloomfield Township from 2 to 5 PM. The event promises an afternoon of fellowship, food, and expert-led conversations focused on four areas disproportionately affecting Black women — heart health, mental health, maternal health, and financial stability.
“Our mission has always been to create safe, empowering spaces where Black women and mothers feel seen, heard, and supported — and to champion wellness as a shared, collective priority,” said Wendy Batiste-Johnson, Founder of UBMA. “In five years, we’ve built not just programs, but a sisterhood that’s changing lives and shifting the conversation about Black women’s health.”
That mission began in 2020, at the height of the global pandemic, when physical distancing and social unrest left many Black mothers feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and emotionally depleted. In response, Batiste-Johnson launched UBMA as a virtual platform where women could gather to share their experiences, express vulnerability without judgment, and access resources designed specifically for their well-being.
What started as digital dialogues soon evolved into a grassroots movement — one grounded in healing, but also in action. UBMA quickly grew from a virtual support space into a nonprofit organization hosting in-person “wellness activations” across Metro Detroit. These have included everything from yoga and self-care sessions to educational Health Talks in partnership with Henry Ford Health, as well as the group’s annual Heart Health Walkathon.
Over the past five years, UBMA has earned a reputation for curating events that are both informative and emotionally restorative, always rooted in the lived realities of Black mothers. The upcoming anniversary event will be no different.
The organization has assembled a powerhouse panel of women experts who will dive deep into the physical, mental, and financial health challenges Black women face, and more importantly, how to overcome them. Attendees will hear from:
- Dr. Kimberly Stokes-Mason, psychotherapist and founder of Kimberly Stokes Therapy, LLC
- Dr. Rose Moten, clinical psychologist, author, and life coach
- Dr. Brittany Fuller, an interventional cardiologist at Henry Ford Health
- Dr. Monique Swain, board-certified OB-GYN at Henry Ford Health
- Gail Perry-Mason, financial advisor, author, and public speaker
- Dr. Cheryl Gibson Fountain, board-certified OB-GYN with the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
These thought leaders will share evidence-based strategies, real-life stories, and community-driven insights in a format designed to both educate and inspire. While each speaker brings deep expertise in her field, the common thread is a deep commitment to Black women’s wellness.
UBMA’s work couldn’t be more timely. Nationally, Black women continue to experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disparities, often worsened by systemic barriers to care. Financial stress — especially for mothers — also remains a persistent burden.
By focusing on these specific pillars, UBMA isn’t just hosting another wellness event; it’s reclaiming the narrative around what it means to care for Black women, and doing so in a way that centers community, empowerment, and joy.
Batiste-Johnson believes that kind of joy is itself a form of resistance — and healing.
“Black women are often told to be strong, to carry everything, to put ourselves last,” she said. “UBMA is about rewriting that script. We’re showing women that their health, their voice, their peace — it all matters. And they’re not alone.”
That sense of unity has been a driving force since UBMA’s founding. Hundreds of women across Detroit and Southeast Michigan have been reached through the organization’s health education efforts, peer support groups, and advocacy work. With every conversation and connection, UBMA chips away at stigma and isolation, replacing them with community and care.
Sunday’s event is open to the public, but space is limited. A $50 donation is requested, with 100% of the proceeds going directly toward UBMA’s expanding programs. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP early.
Whether it’s your first introduction to the organization or you’re already part of the sisterhood, UBMA’s fifth anniversary celebration offers an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, nourish your body and spirit, and stand in solidarity with other Black women committed to health and healing.
For Batiste-Johnson and the women of UBMA, this milestone is both a celebration and a call to action.
“The last five years have been powerful — but we’re just getting started,” she said.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 2–5 PM
Location: Henry Ford Medical Center – Bloomfield Township
1961 S Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Donation: $50 (supports UBMA programs)
RSVP required – Limited capacity