Open elective explores Black birthing, historical disparity, and Afrocentric resilience and healing
Midwifery professor Dr. Karline Wilson-Mitchell (front row, fifth from left) with students and guests at a reception celebrating the history of racialized midwives in Canada and their impact on the community.
Birthing is about the family. Everything in life, society and civilization stems from it, like the hub of a wheel from which all spokes spread out.
For millenia, new life was delivered into the hands of midwives around the world. Over time, birthing became medicalized. Little by little, Black midwives across Canada were excluded from their own profession. Families were stripped of their culture, community and ancestral birthing traditions.
This Fall, Black Birthing and Health Equity (MWF 508) will shine the light on Black maternal health and the effects of colonialism and enslavement on Black childbearing families in Canada.
“To heal others, we need to heal ourselves. If we’re serious about equipping racialized students to survive and thrive, we can’t afford not to have a course like this.”
Vital lesson from Black birthing tradition
The course addresses historical disparity and shows anti-Black racism as a social determinant of health and well-being. In so doing, it showcases Black resilience and resurgence. But it does more.
The course teaches students how to extract practical strategies that can benefit themselves and the patients, clients and communities they’ll serve in future — such as how to facilitate cultural safety, handle differing worldviews, survive systemic injustice, and support self-healing. Ultimately, it’s about coming out a winner and flourishing for all humanity.
From May 7th to 9th, students can gain priority access to the course during final course intentions.
Afrocentric pedagogy: Enter the village circle
What to expect in-class
Highly interactive, designed to be fun and engaging. Traditional lectures, yes — but also lots of discussion, panels, international guest speakers, problem-based learning, presentations, workshops, self-reflection, and more.
Class vibe
Accessible, welcoming, where every member belongs and joins in creating ‘village rules’ designed to reward presence. “This class is about what you can do — not what you can’t,” says professor Wilson-Mitchell. “Yes, it’s ok if you’re running late or juggling life with learning. This course is a safe place for ideas, exploration, learning — mingled with food and dance, laughter and tears, hope and joy!”
Ready to take the course? Last chance to access priority enrollment is May 7th to 9th.
Get MWF 508 course details and instructions on selecting your course intentions.
At a glance: MWF 508
- Open elective: for all students in any year
- Of special interest to: healthcare, social services, community services, history, Black studies, education, immigration and settlement studies
- Next offering: Fall 2025
Meet the prof
Dr. Karline Wilson-Mitchell is the only Black, tenured midwifery education professor in Canada. Her passion: reproductive justice that informs midwifery education, practice and global partnerships.
She has practised in urban, rural and remote areas of the United States and Canada, and trains midwifery educators and leaders in Africa and the Caribbean.
