Mothering Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting mothers of color, has officially opened a new community center in Detroit's Eastern Market neighborhood. The facility, which celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, provides a dedicated physical space for advocacy, research, and community engagement on issues such as paid family leave and affordable child care.
The new center is the organization's first permanent location since the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to be a welcoming hub for mothers and their children. It aims to centralize the group's efforts to address economic and health disparities affecting families in the city and across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Mothering Justice, a national nonprofit, has opened a new headquarters in Detroit's Eastern Market.
- The center will support advocacy for policies like paid sick leave and affordable child care.
- It features dedicated spaces for research, community meetings, and a children's play area.
- The organization focuses on addressing the specific challenges faced by mothers of color in Detroit, including high maternal mortality rates.
A New Hub for Community and Advocacy
The grand opening event on Thursday evening brought together staff, community members, and supporters to inaugurate the new facility. Executive Director Danielle Atkinson emphasized that the center is intended to be an open and collaborative environment for the community it serves.
“We are welcoming you here. Please come back, please visit, bring your friends,” Atkinson stated during her opening remarks. “This space is living with all of the energy of all the movements and all of the causes that we are working for, for the liberation that we will see in our lifetime.”
The center's design reflects its mission to support mothers comprehensively. It includes a full kitchen and a dedicated room where children can play, creating a family-friendly atmosphere. Atkinson noted the importance of this feature, explaining that it provides a practical and safe environment for both staff and community members who are mothers.
“This space means a lot for us,” she said. “It’s our first physical home since COVID. And having a place where moms can come, whether they work here or they’re just involved in the movement in some way, is really important because it just allows for collaboration, like a safe space and your babies can be loud here.”
Why Detroit Remains Central to the Mission
While Mothering Justice operates on a national scale, its headquarters remain intentionally rooted in Detroit. Atkinson explained that the city represents the core challenges that the organization seeks to address. The decision to base their operations in Detroit is a strategic one, aimed at working directly within a community that is heavily impacted by systemic issues.
Detroit's Socioeconomic Landscape
According to public health data, Detroit has historically faced significant challenges related to maternal and infant health. The city has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the United States, particularly among Black mothers. These health disparities are often linked to economic factors, including high poverty rates and limited access to resources like quality healthcare and affordable child care.
Atkinson detailed the connection between the organization's work and its location.
“When you talk about issues that are affecting moms, you can’t not think about economic and health issues and Detroit is ground zero for how moms have been mistreated, overlooked, underrepresented,” she stated. “We have one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the country, and also a lot of poverty.”
By establishing a physical presence in the city, Mothering Justice aims to stay connected to the lived experiences of the people it advocates for. “We need to be in community, because we believe that the wisdom of the people who are affected by the issue is also what is going to change the world,” Atkinson added.
A Platform for Research and Policy Action
The new center is more than just a meeting place; it is a functional headquarters designed to support the organization's multifaceted approach to advocacy, which includes qualitative research and policy development.
Driving Data-Driven Advocacy
Dr. Keiondra Grace, who leads the organization's qualitative research, highlighted how the new space will enhance her team's ability to conduct vital studies. Having a dedicated facility allows them to host focus groups and interviews in a comfortable and accessible setting.
“I do a lot of interviews and focus groups and things like that. And so having this space is really helpful because then we can bring folks in,” Dr. Grace said. She mentioned an upcoming focus group planned to study the impact of potential cuts to social programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on mothers.
Focus on Economic Impact
An October 2024 focus group conducted by Mothering Justice revealed significant fears among mothers about potential cuts to social safety net programs. The primary concern was the direct financial impact on their families and communities. The new research will build on these findings to understand how mothers are preparing for these potential changes.
“I’m really excited to talk at the end of the month to really understand... what they’re thinking and how they’re going to make ends meet, how they’re finding sources of resilience and joy, in spite of that,” Grace added.
Organizing for Legislative Change
The center will also serve as a base for organizing political action, including ballot initiatives. Christina Hayes, an organizer managing work on these initiatives, is currently focused on a potential state-level ballot measure for paid family leave. She explained that the new office will be crucial for gathering the community input necessary to shape and advance such a significant policy goal.
“I’m excited to bring mamas here. I’m excited to have one-on-ones here,” Hayes said, emphasizing the importance of direct community engagement in her work. The process involves navigating complex financial and logistical challenges, including collecting ballot signatures, all of which will be coordinated from the new hub.
Empowering Staff and Expanding Outreach
For the staff of Mothering Justice, the new center represents a significant improvement in their capacity to perform their daily work. The larger, well-equipped space removes logistical hurdles and allows the team to focus more effectively on their core mission.
Toyja Bridges, an outreach coordinator, runs sessions called Cocoa Conversations to connect with mothers in the community. She expressed relief at having a stable and comfortable base of operations.
“We have access to what we need. We have full storage, and it just feels more comfortable,” Bridges commented. “It’s just that one less thing that we don’t have to worry about, so it keeps you kind of focused on what’s important.”
The sentiment of renewed focus and determination was echoed by Liz Dupee, the Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships. In her welcome address to guests at the opening, she affirmed the organization's commitment to its cause.
“In 2025, we remain rooted in resistance. We will be ready for what’s to come,” Dupee declared. “Our message is loud and clear: We won’t back down.”
The new center in Eastern Market stands as a physical manifestation of this resolve, providing Mothering Justice with the foundation needed to continue its work advocating for the liberation and well-being of mothers and families in Detroit and beyond.