IN HER HONOR
A Commemorative Art Project Honoring Women of Color Lost to Maternal Health Complications
About The Project
In Her Honor is a commemorative art project dedicated to honoring women of color who have passed due to maternal health complications. This initiative aims to shed light on the maternal health crisis, particularly in Black communities, while mobilizing policymakers, advocates, and the public toward meaningful, lasting change.
About The Partners
The Mamas’ Caucus is committed to advocating for mothers and working families, especially mothers of color. The organization centers mamas in the policies it develops and champions in Congress. Recognizing that the costs of raising a child in the U.S. are among the highest in the world—and that current policies too often leave working families behind—the Mamas’ Caucus is dedicated to building childcare systems that support every family and ensure providers are paid a living wage.
Rooted in the fight for maternal health and reproductive justice, the Mamas’ Caucus recognizes the urgent need to address the Black maternal and infant health crisis, particularly in states like Michigan. The organization stands firmly in the belief that abortion care is health care, and that all mamas deserve comprehensive, high-quality support. The Mamas’ Caucus exists to challenge the status quo and demand a future where care, equity, and justice are non-negotiable.
Mothering Justice is a leading advocacy organization dedicated to empowering mothers, particularly mothers of color, to address the critical issues that impact their families and communities. Through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and community engagement, Mothering Justice works tirelessly to ensure that every mother’s voice is heard and valued, advocating for equity in maternal health, paid leave, and childcare access.
The Ariah Foundation is committed to driving systemic change to reduce health disparities in underserved communities. Focused on innovative initiatives that address social determinants of health, The Ariah Foundation partners with organizations, policymakers, and community leaders to create meaningful, sustainable solutions. Central to its mission is the belief that every individual deserves access to quality care and the opportunity to thrive.
Omari "Muz" Maynard is a Brooklyn-based artist, educator, and advocate dedicated to raising awareness about maternal health disparities. Following the tragic loss of his life partner, Shamony Gibson, to complications after childbirth in 2019, Omari channeled his grief into action. He co-founded the ARIAH Foundation, which supports families affected by systemic racism in maternal healthcare, and created the In Her Honor portrait series, featuring Shamony and other mothers lost to maternal mortality, to humanize the statistics and foster healing.
Omari is also featured in the acclaimed documentary Aftershock (2022), which examines the maternal health crisis in the United States, highlighting his advocacy work and the legacy of Shamony. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, earning a Special Jury Award for Impact for Change, and continues to inspire calls for systemic reform.
Through his art, community work, and public advocacy, Omari honors Shamony’s memory while fighting for a more equitable healthcare system.