Allyson Felix, the celebrated Olympic track star and advocate for Black maternal health, has been awarded a significant $20 million grant from Melinda Gates’ $1 billion investment initiative.
Announced in May, this grant underscores Felix’s unwavering commitment to improving Black maternal health in the United States.
This substantial grant is part of Gates’ broader mission to support organizations dedicated to women’s, families’, and reproductive rights.
In a statement to The New York Times, Gates highlighted the severe underfunding of women-focused causes, noting:
“Despite the pressing need, only about 2 percent of charitable giving in the United States goes to organizations focused on women and girls, and only about half a percentage point goes to organizations focused on women of color.”
Gates’ initiative aims to address critical issues such as the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black and Native American mothers, the erosion of reproductive rights in 14 states, and the lack of national paid family leave in the U.S.
Felix’s advocacy is deeply personal. Her own experiences have fueled her dedication to this cause.
In 2018, Felix underwent an emergency C-section due to preeclampsia, an experience she described as “a really isolating and lonely time.”
This experience later led her to testify before Congress about the racial disparities in maternal care.
Beyond her advocacy, Felix has also taken tangible steps to support athlete mothers. Partnering with Pampers, she helped establish the first-ever Olympic Village nursery for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This nursery, located at the Athletes’ Village Plaza, provides a sanctuary for competing mothers to care for their infants.
“It was top of mind to support athletes who are mothers,” Felix said. “It’s a space where families can get away from it all and have some of the comforts of home. They can have playtime and places to feed their babies…It’s here so that mothers and families feel supported.”
Previously, Felix secured a $250,000 pledge to support Black maternal health and provided $100,000 to the National Birth Equity Collaborative.
Her continued efforts and partnerships reflect a robust commitment to advocating for better maternal care and support for Black women.
Felix’s recent $20 million grant will significantly amplify her impact, fostering advancements in Black maternal health and supporting initiatives that ensure better care and support for Black mothers across the nation.
