Ben & Jerry’s Calls Out Black Maternal Health Crisis, Says Black Mothers Behind Bars Deserve Better

Ben & Jerry’s Calls Out Black Maternal Health Crisis, Says Black Mothers Behind Bars Deserve Better

Ben & Jerry’s is using its platform to push a serious conversation around Black maternal health and reproductive justice.

The ice cream brand shared a viral Instagram carousel during Black Maternal Health Week, opening with the bold statement, “The US Is Failing Black Mothers.” The campaign specifically centers on incarcerated Black mothers, arguing that reproductive justice cannot exist without support for Black women who are behind bars.

Across the slides, the brand highlights several alarming claims, including that Black women are nearly twice as likely to be incarcerated as white women and three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. The carousel also states that nearly half of pregnant women who are incarcerated receive zero prenatal care, while some women are still allegedly shackled during pregnancy and childbirth.

Another striking slide says most incarcerated mothers are separated from their newborns within hours of giving birth, with some mothers sent back to their cells within 24 to 72 hours after delivery, cutting off bonding, breastfeeding, and recovery time.

Ben & Jerry’s also used the post to spotlight its partner, National Bail Out, saying the organization has reunited more than 1,000 Black mothers and caregivers with their loved ones since 2017, while also helping provide housing, healthcare, and support services.

The post quickly drew attention online, blending brand activism with hard-hitting social justice messaging and reigniting wider conversations around whether major consumer brands should use their platforms to address issues like incarceration, maternal mortality, and reproductive rights.