Running Head: Dismissed and Ignored: Confronting the Trauma of Black Women Maternal Healthcare

Black women's maternal experiences are shaped by historical inequities, racialized stereotypes, and institutional neglect. The endorsement of the SBW stereotype has been shown to lead to coping strategies like "identity shifting," where Black women alter their behaviors to mitigate discrimination. Culturally responsive care models, provider training, and policy reforms centered on Black maternal voices are urgently needed to disrupt systemic harms.