Illinois healthcare company awards $55,000 grant to improve maternal health for black women

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — An Illinois healthcare company is giving a $55,000 grant to the Springfield Urban League to address gaps in maternal health for black women.

The MolinaCares Accord presented the grant to support the Springfield Urban League's EmpowerHER: Uplift Black Mothers Program.

MolinaCares, established by Molina Healthcare of Illinois, is a community investment platform made to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations, according to the organization's website.

The EmpowerHER program will connect families to community-based services and resources to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

According to a November 2025 Illinois maternal mortality data report, black women in Illinois are more than twice as likely to die from any pregnancy-related conditions and three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women.

"At the Springfield Urban League, we are committed to equipping under-resourced Illinoisans with the services, education, and support they need to reach their fullest potential," said Springfield Urban League Director of Health Initiatives Tatyana Gardner. "Through our partnership with Molina, we look forward to bringing this new health initiative to life and addressing the existing maternal health disparities in the Springfield community."

Molina said the grant will support new and expectant mothers by funding doula services, community baby showers, breastfeeding support groups, and educational workshops that aim to improve maternal health outcomes.

"Recent data shows that many pregnancy-related deaths in Illinois could have been prevented with appropriate health care services," said Molina Healthcare of Illinois Plan President Kris Classen. "By bringing health education directly to mothers in our community and improving access to care and resources through the EmpowerHER Program, Molina hopes to help expectant mothers make informed decisions about their care and give newborns a healthy start to life."

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