Wellpoint Maryland and Nadia Care Convene Leaders in Baltimore to Advance Solutions for Black Mothers and Infants
A screening of award-winning documentary “The Ebony Canal” brings clinicians, advocates and community leaders together to drive conversation on how to improve outcomes for families.
BALTIMORE, May 4, 2026 —Wellpoint Maryland and Nadia Care are convening clinicians, advocates, researchers and community leaders in Baltimore on May 8 for a screening of “The Ebony Canal,” an award-winning documentary that highlights the challenges faced by Black mothers and infants, and the solutions needed to improve outcomes.
Hosted at Morgan State University, the event will feature a screening of the film followed by a panel discussion with leaders working across the state of Maryland in healthcare, advocacy and policy. The conversation will focus on practical approaches to improving maternal and infant health and strengthening support for families.
Black women in the United States are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which also reports that the majority of these deaths are preventable. “The Ebony Canal,” narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis, brings these realities into focus through the lived experiences of mothers and the voices of experts working to improve health access and care.
“At Wellpoint Maryland, we believe every mother deserves a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery,” said Dr. Darrell M. Gray II, President of Wellpoint Maryland. “By bringing this film and conversation to Baltimore, we are helping to elevate voices, strengthen partnerships and focus on solutions that can make a real difference on the health of families in our communities.”
Wellpoint, a leading managed care provider that coordinates Medicaid benefits across the state, is presenting the event in partnership with Nadia Care, a maternal health company that provides both in-person and virtual support, as well as educational services to women from pregnancy through the postpartum period.
“Nadia Care is excited to serve members throughout the Baltimore region, Prince George’s, and Montgomery counties. When our Maryland mothers have the right local support, families thrive—and that’s the work our multidisciplinary team shows up to do every day,” said Dr. Adaeze Enekwechi, CEO of Nadia Care.
The discussion after the film screening will feature a panel of nationally recognized voices, including Emmy Award-winning director Emmai Alaquiva; Dr. Shari Lawson, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University Hospital; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms and a leading advocate for maternal health policy reform; and Alana Yzola-Daly, a mother featured in the film and associate producer.
The Baltimore screening is part of the national Ebony Canal tour, which is bringing the award-winning documentary to communities across the country to elevate awareness and drive action around maternal health. While the tour includes major cities and national platforms, Wellpoint Maryland is helping bring this important conversation to Baltimore—expanding its reach to local communities and stakeholders.
This effort reflects Wellpoint Maryland’s focus on supporting maternal health and investing in initiatives that bring together community, clinical and policy perspectives to simplify care experiences, improve access and help drive better health outcomes.
Event Details:
What: “The Ebony Canal” Film Screening and Panel Discussion.
When: May 8, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts Center
Turpin Lamb Theater
2201 Argonne Dr., Baltimore, MD 21218
The event is open to the public, with advance registration required. Additional details are available at https://bit.ly/41YAS2g.
ABOUT WELLPOINT
Wellpoint, part of the Elevance Health family of brands, focuses on improving physical health as well as the behavioral and social drivers that impact it through a comprehensive suite of Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial products. The Wellpoint companies offer healthcare services for consumers at any stage of life seeking to make the right care decisions and help individuals and communities make real, positive progress with health plans that foster independence, confidence, and whole-person health. For more information, please visit www.wellpoint.com.
ABOUT NADIA CARE
Nadia Care is a maternal health company on a mission to support mothers through every step of the pregnancy journey and after their baby is born. With a hybrid model that combines community-centered, in-home care and virtual support, Nadia Care provides support, including care coordination, benefit sign-up and navigation, lactation support, nutrition services, and education. This care model has proven results, including a meaningful reduction in low birth weight rates, NICU days and costs, postpartum depression, preterm birth rates, and emergency room visits. For more information, please visit www.nadiacare.com.