LAYO GEORGE WOLOMI
FOUNDER & CEO
The healthcare system isn ’ t really built to understand our nuances , listen to us , or validate us .”
AFTER EXPERIENCING prenatal depression during her pregnancy , Layo George , a registered nurse , designed
Wolomi to connect women of color to experts and one another , with a focus not only on the challenges of pregnancy , but also the thrills .
“ Wolomi is a sisterhood navigating through pregnancy and motherhood with the support of midwives , pediatricians , and therapists ,” she says . “ I wanted to reclaim the joy of a new life .”
As a nurse , George saw very different approaches to maternal care . For example , staff coached new mothers on breastfeeding techniques in one hospital , while in another , formula was the norm . “ It felt like pregnancy was just something happening to you instead of you owning the journey ,” she says . “ I want women to know they have options .”
Wolomi members have access to virtual group coaching , online courses , nurseled community discussions , expert advice , weekly “ pregnancy moments ” with guidance and expertise from a midwife , and an online gallery to share personal experiences . George is also launching a new program , the
Wolomi Academy , bringing together a virtual group of pregnant mothers of color for conversation and digital classes about childbirth , breastfeeding , and creating a care team .
PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMI MATSUO ( ALLERS )
Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women , a disparity the CDC attributes to factors including underlying chronic conditions , structural racism , and implicit bias . Celebrities like
Beyoncé and Serena Williams have brought attention to the risks of childbirth for Black mothers by sharing their personal stories , and healthcare professionals have recognized the state of Black maternal mortality as a
full-blown crisis .
Allers ’ s ordeal inspired her to create
Irth , a mobile app that provides Yelp-like ratings and reviews from Black mothers for physicians , birthing hospitals , pediatricians , and postpartum care . She is part of a wave of Black women entrepreneurs on a mission to improve the birthing experience for their communities . “ In technology , too many products have been built for us but without us ,” says Allers . “ I built a team of people of color , for people of color .”
Founders like Allers face challenges of their own : Despite the fact that Black women are among the
fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs , in recent years just
0.27 % of venture capital investments have gone to startups led by Black women .
Brittany Davis , general partner with investment fund
Backstage Capital , which invests in companies led by underrepresented founders , says the lack of investment is a huge oversight — and opportunity . “ If we can solve the challenges facing the most vulnerable in the system , the people being overlooked , it will impact everyone ,” she says .
Meet seven Black female tech founders leading the charge to improve pre- and post-natal health for Black women , connecting them to providers , resources , and communities .
KIMBERLY SEALS ALLERS IRTH
FOUNDER
The community has been incredibly responsive to this idea that we can save ourselves by sharing our experiences .”
BEFORE BUILDING IRTH ’ S first line of code , Allers spent months asking Black and Brown mothers — in person and in virtual focus groups — about their birthing experiences .
“ These stories have always existed , traveling in small circles ,” she says . “ Irth takes that to a digital platform and a national forum .”
The name Irth comes from the word “ birth ,” but without the “ b ” for “ bias .” Launched in 2021 , the mobile app provides a place for Black women to search for reviews and leave their own , and also detects patterns of racism and bias based on women ’ s experiences .
“ The same microaggressions that happen in the world are happening during the pregnancy and childbirth journey ,” says Allers . “ The price we pay ? An increase in stress levels , which is going to impact birth outcomes .” The Irth team uses data from the app to develop hospital and practice strategies to improve outcomes and care experiences for mothers and their babies .
Since 2019 , Allers has raised nearly $ 1 million in foundation grants , and in 2021 , Irth received $ 88,000 as a winner in the “ Antiracist Technology in the US ” category of the
MIT Solve Global Challenge , sponsored by HP and designed to elevate solutions to global challenges from techbased social entrepreneurs .
“ My vision ,” says Allers , “ is that Irth becomes our ‘ Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval ,’ a beacon of light for hospitals and providers we can trust .”
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