Date and Time
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 | 2 PM ET/11 AM PT | VIRTUAL
Speakers
Crystal D. Charley
Founding Executive Director, Melanin and Maternal Wellness
Read Bio
Crystal D. Charley is a distinguished community organizer, activist, and advocate renowned for her commitment to reproductive justice and civil rights. A proud mother, she holds an MBA in Public Administration and is certified as a perinatal doula and educator. In 2023-2024, Crystal was selected as a fellow for the Black to the Future Public Policy Institute, a program of the Black to the Future Action Fund. This fellowship emphasizes policy advocacy and leadership training, equipping community leaders with the tools needed to empower Black communities and cultivate independent Black political power.
Currently, Crystal serves as the Director of Back in Our Hands Birth and Wellness for the Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation, where she fosters a nurturing and innovative environment for maternal and infant care. In this role, she collaborates with community stakeholders to ensure that services meet the needs of families, with a particular focus on Black families in Trenton, NJ. Additionally, she is a Senior Organizer for Salvation and Social Justice, leading vital campaigns centered on Black maternal health.
As the Founder of Melanin and Maternal Wellness, a village-centered organization focused on birth and reproductive justice, Crystal is deeply committed to eradicating disparities in Black maternal health. She is also a co-author of the award-winning reproductive health curriculum, My Black Health is Beautiful, a new lesson plan series that addresses reproductive health equity and Black maternal health. Her extensive training as a Certified Shafia Monroe Consulting (SMC) Full Circle Doula Birth Companion enables her to provide comprehensive perinatal doula services, including prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, further solidified by her graduation from the Commonsense Childbirth Institute, Childbirth Educator Course.
Crystal’s influence reaches nationally through her involvement with the National Perinatal Task Force and the Board of Trustees for the Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing, a Public Health Institute. She actively participates on the Board of Directors for the Fair Share Housing Center, Planned Parenthood of North, Central, and Southern New Jersey, and the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.
Before transitioning to her full-time career in health equity and reproductive justice, Crystal served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Executive Director of Policy, Research, and Planning, and the Director of Local Programs and Services. Her role involved shaping research-driven policy and its implementation, where she played a pivotal part in critical initiatives such as the establishment of administrative procedures for legislation like the A4663 Restorative Justice Bill. Demonstrating her managerial expertise, she supervised five units of managerial staff comprising approximately 40 employees, ensuring optimal operational efficiency. Crystal exemplified professionalism and diplomacy in managing communications, coordinating personnel actions, and preparing comprehensive reports that informed decision-making. She also successfully led the planning and execution of major events, including the New Jersey JDAI conference, which attracted over 600 attendees.
A steadfast member of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, Crystal currently serves her third term as the 2nd Vice-President and is a Silver Life Member. She chairs the Women in NAACP (WIN) for the New Jersey State Conference.
Her dedication has garnered recognition from numerous media outlets, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Burlington County Times, the Grio, and many others. As a sought-after speaker, Crystal regularly presents at conventions and panels on vital topics such as reproductive justice, Black maternal health, civil rights, systemic racism, diversity and inclusion, and health equity.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Crystal is a proud mother and an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Burlington County Chapter, emphasizing her commitment to fostering positive development and opportunities for children.
With her extensive background and unwavering dedication, Crystal Charley is a formidable force in the fields of reproductive justice, civil rights, and Black maternal health. Her tireless advocacy profoundly impacts countless individuals and communities as she continues to champion a more just and equitable society.
Event Description
The Asè Toolkit with great intention, is designed to provide a transformative framework for Black maternal health advocacy, rooted in African-centered approaches that honor the rich traditions and heritage of our community. Recognizing the profound challenges faced by Black mothers, including disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, this toolkit aims to address these issues through a restorative lens that highlights the strength and resilience inherent in our community. By integrating an African-centered perspective, it invites advocates to engage with the unique cultural, social, and historical factors that shape the experiences of Black mothers, fostering a deeper understanding and response to their needs. This framework not only empowers individuals to lead and advocate on behalf of their community but also cultivates a collective sense of agency, enabling meaningful and sustainable change in maternal health legislation.
The toolkit emphasizes the importance of Black, community-led solutions, dismantling systemic racism and bias in healthcare, and involving Black mothers and Black fathers in the decision-making process. It provides resources, messaging guidance, and advocacy tools to promote equity and healing justice.
Moving maternal health legislation through an African-centered lens is not only a matter of justice and equity but also a step towards healing, building a healthier and more inclusive society. It is crucial for lawmakers, policymakers, and community leaders to prioritize this issue and take decisive action. By amplifying the voices and experiences of Black mothers and involving them in the decision-making process, we can work towards comprehensive and effective solutions. The Asè Toolkit serves as a valuable resource in promoting maternal wellness, reducing health disparities, and advocating for birth justice. Together, we can create a future where maternal health disparities are eradicated, and every mother receives the care and support she needs.
Toolkit can be viewed here.