Nomination Form
The Standing Up for Black Mothers and Babies Awards will be presented in recognition of outstanding leaders and advocates for mothers and babies during the Standing Up for Black Mothers and Babies Awards Event on Friday, October 9, 2026. As a key partner in the maternal and child health community, you can identify people or organizations that have been exemplary in advancing racial equity in the health of women, birthing people, and children in the St. Louis region. Please submit nominees by June 5, 2026, in the following categories:
Please choose the award that most likely fits the candidate. Committee reviews all nominations and makes final determination on award category.
Judy Wilson-Griffin Maternal Health Equity Champion
This award category is for an individual making a remarkable contribution to advancing racial equity in maternal health and demonstrates a commitment to bridging community and health care.
Previous recipients: 2020 – Rebeccah Bennett; 2021 – Eboni Hooper-Boateng; 2022 – Honorable Cora Faith Walker (posthumous); 2023 – Rep. LaKeySha Bosley –2024 Ta’Mare Banks - 2025 Sue Kendig
This award category is for an individual making a remarkable contribution to advancing racial equity in maternal health and demonstrates a commitment to bridging community and health care.
Previous recipients: 2020 – Rebeccah Bennett; 2021 – Eboni Hooper-Boateng; 2022 – Honorable Cora Faith Walker (posthumous); 2023 – Rep. LaKeySha Bosley –2024 Ta’Mare Banks - 2025 Sue Kendig
Dr. Terry Leet Researcher Award
This category is for an individual, collaborative, or institution making significant research contributions to maternal and infant health.
Previous recipients: 2009 – Terry Leet PhD; 2010 – Louise Flick DrPH; 2011 – Melissa Jonson-Ried PhD & Kathleen Rice Simpson PhD; 2012 – Gina Secura, PhD; 2013 – Donna R. Halloran, MD, MSPH; 2014 – For the Sake of All Research Team; 2015 – Deborah Kiel, PhD., RN, PHCNS-BC & Lavinia M. Lewis; 2016 – Pamela K. Xaverius; 2017 – Darcell P. Scharff, Ph. D.; 2018 – Vetta Sanders-Thompson, Ph.D.; 2019 – Anne Sebert Kuhlmann, Ph.D. MPH; 2020 – Amber Johnson, Ph.D.; 2021 – EleVATE Women Collaborative; 2022 - Nancy L. Weaver, Ph.D., MPH; 2023 – Abigail Barker, Ph.D. – 2024 Joan Luby, PhD - 2025 Matthew Kreuter, PhD
Previous recipients: 2009 – Terry Leet PhD; 2010 – Louise Flick DrPH; 2011 – Melissa Jonson-Ried PhD & Kathleen Rice Simpson PhD; 2012 – Gina Secura, PhD; 2013 – Donna R. Halloran, MD, MSPH; 2014 – For the Sake of All Research Team; 2015 – Deborah Kiel, PhD., RN, PHCNS-BC & Lavinia M. Lewis; 2016 – Pamela K. Xaverius; 2017 – Darcell P. Scharff, Ph. D.; 2018 – Vetta Sanders-Thompson, Ph.D.; 2019 – Anne Sebert Kuhlmann, Ph.D. MPH; 2020 – Amber Johnson, Ph.D.; 2021 – EleVATE Women Collaborative; 2022 - Nancy L. Weaver, Ph.D., MPH; 2023 – Abigail Barker, Ph.D. – 2024 Joan Luby, PhD - 2025 Matthew Kreuter, PhD
Dr. Corinne Walentik Provider/Practitioner Champion
This category is for an individual or institution that provides direct health or community services and uses their knowledge/practice to advocate for improvements in infant or child health.
Previous recipients: 2009 – D. Michael Nelson, MD; 2010 – Corinne Walentik, MD, MPH and Helen Risse RN, MSN; 2011 – Rebekah Hassler, CNM, FNP; 2012 – Daniel Berg, MD, MPH; 2013 – Katie Plax, MD; 2014 – Nurses for Newborns; 2015 – Matthew Broom, MD, FAAP; 2016 – Jaye M. Shyken, MD, FACOG, Signature Medical Group’s Strong Start Program, Maribeth Hollinshead; 2017 – Cynthia E. Rogers, MD & Melissa D. Tepe, MD, MPH, FAGOG; 2018 – Jamaa Birth Village and Tru Kellman; 2019 – Angela Schiefelbein, FNP, BC; CARE in Pregnancy at BJH; 2020 – Kanika Turner, MD; 2021 – Jesse Davis, MD, MBA; 2022 - Nicole D. Carr, MSN, FNP-BC; 2023 – Affinia OB/Gyn Group – 2024 Lori Winkler - 2025 LaWanda Jones & YWCA Prenatal Team
Previous recipients: 2009 – D. Michael Nelson, MD; 2010 – Corinne Walentik, MD, MPH and Helen Risse RN, MSN; 2011 – Rebekah Hassler, CNM, FNP; 2012 – Daniel Berg, MD, MPH; 2013 – Katie Plax, MD; 2014 – Nurses for Newborns; 2015 – Matthew Broom, MD, FAAP; 2016 – Jaye M. Shyken, MD, FACOG, Signature Medical Group’s Strong Start Program, Maribeth Hollinshead; 2017 – Cynthia E. Rogers, MD & Melissa D. Tepe, MD, MPH, FAGOG; 2018 – Jamaa Birth Village and Tru Kellman; 2019 – Angela Schiefelbein, FNP, BC; CARE in Pregnancy at BJH; 2020 – Kanika Turner, MD; 2021 – Jesse Davis, MD, MBA; 2022 - Nicole D. Carr, MSN, FNP-BC; 2023 – Affinia OB/Gyn Group – 2024 Lori Winkler - 2025 LaWanda Jones & YWCA Prenatal Team
Alderman Gregory Carter Community Champion
This category is for a volunteer, consumer, or frontline employee who exemplifies a commitment to the health of mothers and babies.
Previous recipients: 2011 – Lillie Dale; 2012 – Cbabi Bayoc; 2013 – Rev. Rodrick & Mrs. Carlotta Burton; 2014 – Rev. Fran Pieper; 2015 – Stephanie Williamson; 2016 – Bethany Johnson - Javois, MSW; 2017 – Black Mama Bailout Collaborative; 2018 – Kim Martino-Sexton; 2019 – Monica Wade; Junior League of St. Louis; 2020 – Angela Ross; 2021 Village of Moms STL; 2022 – LaKisha Redditt, B.S., CHW; 2023 – Candice Ward, IBCLC – 2024 Allisha Pickens Jones - 2025 Mashega Bryant
Previous recipients: 2011 – Lillie Dale; 2012 – Cbabi Bayoc; 2013 – Rev. Rodrick & Mrs. Carlotta Burton; 2014 – Rev. Fran Pieper; 2015 – Stephanie Williamson; 2016 – Bethany Johnson - Javois, MSW; 2017 – Black Mama Bailout Collaborative; 2018 – Kim Martino-Sexton; 2019 – Monica Wade; Junior League of St. Louis; 2020 – Angela Ross; 2021 Village of Moms STL; 2022 – LaKisha Redditt, B.S., CHW; 2023 – Candice Ward, IBCLC – 2024 Allisha Pickens Jones - 2025 Mashega Bryant
Nominations may be submitted by anyone. Nominees will be reviewed and selected by the Awards Selection Committee. Selected individuals or organizations will have demonstrated an impact on maternal and child health over time. Award winners will be notified in advance of the awards event.