The Black Collaborative

What The Black Collaborative does

The Black Collaborative Inc. is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as the grassroots arm of The Conner Equity Hub Foundation. It functions as a community-based care navigation agency delivering maternal, infant, and family health services to Black families across Hamilton County and Greater Cincinnati. Core programs include BLACKBERRY & JUICE (perinatal mental health support for birthing people and partners), BLACK Rhythm & Blues (postpartum cardiovascular health education), BLACK CARE / Community Care Closet (diapers, clothing, hygiene, and essential supplies), Clear the Crib (safe sleep education and crib distribution), and BLACK ROOTS (advocacy and health-equity research). Signature events include the annual Health Block Party, which has served 1,000+ attendees with 500+ health screenings and 300+ safe sleep kits distributed.\n\nThe organization does not operate any proprietary technology platform; service delivery is conducted in person at the Center of Eden hub in Cincinnati, through mobile pop-ups at locations such as Winton Terrace and Stanley Rowe Towers, and via trained Community Health Workers. Adjacent lines include HEAL Academy (Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor certification, IBCLC mentorship, and DEI training for healthcare professionals), RHEcorp (equity consulting and qualitative research), the Rootwork Project (arts and advocacy), Conner Literary Works (publications), and the BLACK Equity Shop merchandise storefront.\n\nRevenue is generated through charitable donations, foundation and government grants, corporate and managed-care sponsorship, and merchandise sales. Services are provided free of charge to families meeting WIC or Medicaid income eligibility. The organization maintains 20+ institutional partnerships across health systems, managed care plans, public health departments, and advocacy organizations, including UC Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio Department of Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Molina Healthcare, Caresource, and the American Heart Association. The leadership team is headed by Founder & Executive Director Dr. Natashia L. Conner, supported by a credentialed clinical board covering mental health, cardiovascular health, finance, and marketing.

Name

The Black Collaborative

Legal name

The BLACK Collaborative Inc.

Website

https://keepersofblack.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Black Collaborative Inc. is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing maternal-infant care navigation, mental health support, essential supplies, safe sleep education, and professional training to Black families and healthcare professionals across Greater Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Maternal and Infant Health Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

Keywords

• Maternal health services
• Infant care support
• Community health navigation
• Perinatal mental health
• Breastfeeding equity training

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Charitable donations from individuals and grants from foundations, healthcare organizations, and government agencies to fund maternal-infant health programs and community services.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts through the BLACK Equity Shop, with proceeds supporting perinatal mental health programs and community care initiatives.
3. Corporate and Foundation Sponsorship: Program sponsorship, event underwriting, and community care closet support from corporate and foundation partners for specific initiatives and campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The BLACK Collaborative Inc. is a community-based care navigation nonprofit that advances Black maternal and infant health equity in Greater Cincinnati. It delivers direct support through programs such as the Community Care Closet (diapers, clothing, supplies), BLACKBERRY & JUICE perinatal mental health support groups, BLACK Rhythm & Blues maternal cardiovascular health education, Clear the Crib safe sleep campaign, and HEAL Academy professional lactation/DEI training. Services are coordinated by community health workers and complemented by annual Health Block Party events, mobile pop-ups, and the BLACK Equity Shop merchandise storefront.

Product overview

The Black Collaborative Inc. is a community-based nonprofit organization offering a multi-program ecosystem focused on advancing Black maternal and infant health equity in Greater Cincinnati. The organization operates several interconnected programs including BLACKBERRY & JUICE™ (perinatal mental health support combining birthing person and partner support groups), BLACK Rhythm & Blues™ (postpartum cardiovascular health education), BLACK CARE™ / Community Care Closet (basic needs support with diapers, clothing, and supplies), and BLACK ROOTS™ (advocacy and health equity research). The ecosystem also includes HEAL Academy for professional development (Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor certification, IBCLC mentorship, DEI training), the future Center of Eden brick-and-mortar hub, Rootwork Project (youth arts and advocacy), and the Conner Literary Works publishing arm. Additional programs include the Health Block Party annual event, Clear the Crib safe sleep campaign, and the BLACK Equity Shop™ merchandise storefront. The organization also operates RHEcorp as its equity-driven consulting and training subsidiary, offering the BREAST 4 Babes advocacy campaign and qualitative research services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BLACKBERRY & JUICE: Perinatal mental health and family support program for Black families during the perinatal period, combining B.E.R.R.Y. (Building Emotional Resilience & Restoring You) for birthing people and J.U.I.C.E. (Just Showing Up through Intimate Connection and Emotional Safety) for fathers and partners.
• BLACK Rhythm & Blues
• BLACK CARE
• Clear the Crib Campaign
• Health Block Party
• BLACK ROOTS
• Center of Eden
• HEAL Academy

Products and services

• BLACKBERRY & JUICE Perinatal Mental Health Program Perinatal mental health support program offering small group sessions for birthing people and partners during pregnancy through 24 months postpartum; combines mental-health support for birthing people with social/emotional support for fathers, partners, and men in a hybrid in-person and virtual format. Designed for Black and African American families.
• BLACK Rhythm & Blues Maternal Cardiovascular Health Initiative Maternal cardiovascular health initiative addressing elevated risk of postpartum heart complications among Black and BIPOC birthing people through early detection, home monitoring, and culturally relevant education from pregnancy through 12 months postpartum.
• Community Care Closet (BLACK CARE) Year-round resource center providing infant clothing, diapers, wipes, formula, breastfeeding supplies, and emergency support for new parents. Free for eligible families meeting WIC/Medicaid income guidelines, with allocations of up to 5 infant clothing items, 1 pack diapers, 1 pack wipes, 1 grooming item, 1 breastfeeding support item, and 1 seasonal item available once every 60 days.
• Clear the Crib Safe Sleep Campaign Safe sleep initiative that educates families on safe sleep practices through workshops and outreach, distributes cribs, bassinets, and safe sleep kits, and incorporates raffles and interactive activities to reduce preventable infant deaths in Ohio's Black communities.
• Health Block Party Annual Community Event Signature annual community event bringing families together for free health screenings, blood pressure checks, infant safe sleep demonstrations, crib giveaways, breastfeeding and nutrition education, and family activities including games, raffles, and line dancing.
• HEAL Academy Professional Development Platform Professional development platform offering Clinical Breastfeeding Management Counselor (C-BMC) certification course, IBCLC mentorship program, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training with focus on social determinants of health (SDOHs), serving lactation professionals, nurses, midwives, physicians, CHWs, and public health practitioners.
• IBCLC Pathway 3 Mentorship Program Guided, structured mentorship supporting aspiring lactation consultants on their path to IBCLC certification and clinical excellence through education and mentorship systems.
• RHEcorp Health Equity Consulting and Training Equity-driven consulting and training arm providing culturally grounded education, mentorship, and research services to strengthen systems of care. Operates the BREAST 4 Babes initiative for media advocacy and qualitative research services.
• BLACK Equity Shop Merchandise Storefront Official e-commerce storefront selling branded merchandise including the $30 Community Tee (Moonchild Series Limited Edition), with proceeds supporting perinatal mental health programs and community care initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,500+ families served through perinatal social support, newborn care closet, and safe sleep campaigns
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UC HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partnership providing community health support, referrals, and collaborative health initiatives.
• KrogerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate community partner supporting health and wellness initiatives.
• AmeriHealth CaritascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaged care organization partnership supporting maternal health programs and preventive health initiatives.
• Hamilton County Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal public health department partnership for community health initiatives.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth equity partnership supporting cardiovascular health education and awareness.
• Molina HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaged care organization partnership for maternal health and population health collaboration.
• CaresourcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaged care partner for community engagement and perinatal health programming.
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner for ODHBH23 Equity Innovations project, infant mortality initiatives, and community health improvement.
• University of Cincinnati Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical center partnership for breastfeeding and infant mortality conferences and research.
• Southwest Ohio Breastfeeding CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership supporting breastfeeding equity initiatives and community outreach.
• National Underground Railroad Freedom CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partnership through the Rootwork Project for arts and advocacy initiatives.
• B.R.E.A.S.T. 4 Babes, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhiladelphia-based organization partnership for qualitative research on breastfeeding inequities and social-ecological model research.
• City of CincinnaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partnership leading the Cincy CHIP (Community Health Improvement Plan) Access to Care initiative.
• Massachusetts Department of Public HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState public health partnership for Vaccine Equity Initiative organizational consulting and diversity equity inclusion work.
• Ohio Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState health department partnership for ODHBH23 Equity Innovations project addressing disparities.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): Organization dedicated to perinatal mental health awareness, provider training, and family support. Directly comparable to the BLACKBERRY & JUICE perinatal mental health program and professional training focus.
• HealthConnect One: National nonprofit advancing community-based maternal-infant support through community health workers and doulas. Comparable in community health worker navigation and culturally responsive care model.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance: National cross-sector alliance advancing Black maternal health, rights, and justice. Comparable as a Black maternal-health-focused advocacy and capacity-building organization with policy orientation.
• Black Women's Health Imperative: National nonprofit dedicated to Black women's health and wellness, including maternal health. Comparable in advocacy, equity research, and policy focus.
• Commonsense Childbirth: Community-based midwifery and birth equity organization serving Black and brown families with clinical, doula, and training services. Comparable in integrated perinatal model and equity-driven training.
• Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE): Nonprofit addressing breastfeeding inequities in Black communities through training, mentoring, and community engagement. Highly comparable given the lactation/IBCLC mentorship focus overlapping HEAL Academy.
• Ancient Song Doula Services: Community-based doula and maternal health organization serving Black and Latina families with full-spectrum support. Comparable as a community-rooted, equity-centered perinatal support provider.
• National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC): National nonprofit focused on Black maternal-infant health equity, training, and advocacy. Direct peer in mission and program mix (lactation, perinatal support, equity consulting), though operating at a national scale.

Broad incumbents

• March of Dimes: Established national nonprofit addressing maternal and infant health, including maternal mortality and preterm birth. Comparable mission area with much broader funding, research portfolio, and program footprint.
• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition: National nonprofit network supporting maternal and child health through education, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable in perinatal support and community health worker navigation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/keepersofblack
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-black-collaborative
• Instagraminstagram.com/keepersofblack

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Black Collaborative