The statistics surrounding maternal health in the United States are staggering, and for Charles Johnson IV, they are personal. He is a national advocate, transformational speaker, and the founder of the nonprofit 4Kira4Moms, an organization born from a tragic, preventable loss.
Johnson’s mission is clear: to eradicate the maternal mortality crisis in the United States so that no other family has to endure the pain of leaving a hospital without their loved one.
In April 2016, Charles and his wife, Kira, walked into Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for what was supposed to be a routine cesarean delivery of their second son, Langston. Kira, whom Johnson described as “sunshine personified,” was in great health throughout her pregnancy. She was brilliant, spoke five languages fluently, and lived life to the fullest.
“I hit it out of the park with this one,” Johnson reflected during our interview. “When we walked in that hospital that afternoon, the thought that my wife would not walk out to raise her sons had never crossed my mind.”
The delivery initially appeared successful; Langston was born healthy. However, while sitting in recovery, Johnson noticed blood coming from Kira’s catheter. Despite immediately bringing it to the attention of the medical staff and an ordered STAT CT scan, hours ticked by without action.
“I’m begging them, talking to nurses, I’m talking to doctors, I’m trying to advocate for my wife,” Johnson recalled. “And this game of dismissal and denial continues to escalate.”
It wasn’t until after midnight, more than 10 hours after she began bleeding internally, that Kira was taken back to surgery. When they opened her up, they found three liters of blood in her abdomen. Her heart stopped, and she passed away. The autopsy later revealed that the doctor responsible for the delivery had rushed the procedure and lacerated her bladder.
“It’s clear by any clinical definition, any humane definition that Kira’s death was preventable,” Johnson shared.
The United States is the most dangerous country in the industrialized world for mothers to give birth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that 84% of maternal deaths are preventable, yet Black women are dying at nearly four times the rate of white women.
Johnson emphasized that the greatest risk factor for Black mothers is not their race, but racism. “Oftentimes, implicit bias and bias in medicine play out in microaggressions or subtle delays in denial and care that can have cascading consequences that can be devastating and traumatic and oftentimes fatal,” he explained.
He also pointed to the American medical industrial complex, which he argues is designed to put profits over patients. The over-implementation of interventions, such as speeding up labor with drugs or pushing for cesarean sections without informed consent, can lead to complications that become line items on a hospital bill.
In 2017, a little over a year after Kira’s passing, Johnson began sharing her story publicly, eventually founding 4Kira4Moms. The organization operates on three distinct pillars: education, advocacy, and legislation.
“What has happened over the past 10 years is Kira’s story, along with the stories of a lot of other mothers that have lost their lives giving birth, have become the catalyst to what I call the maternal health revolution,” Johnson shared.
The organization has achieved major legislative wins, including assisting with over $200 million in federal funding for maternal mortality since 2023. Johnson has testified before Congress twice and helped introduce the Maternal Health Mom and Bust package, which includes the Kira Johnson Act. This act aims to hold providers accountable and direct funding to women-led, community-based organizations that are doing the crucial work on the ground.
A significant part of Johnson’s mission is redefining the role of fathers and non-birthing parents, empowering them to become active members of the care team. Recognizing that it is unreasonable to expect a mother to advocate for herself while giving birth, 4Kira4Moms launched the “For Kira For Dads” program, which includes a free app designed to guide fathers through the pregnancy journey.
Johnson likens the father’s role to a fullback in football. “You’re the full back, right? Block for your wife,” he advised. “Make sure you clear the path for her so that she can have a smooth lane to the end zone, which is a healthy, beautiful baby.”
He urges fathers to arm themselves with tools, such as the Birthing Bill of Rights (available on the 4Kira4Moms website), and to ask direct questions to healthcare providers regarding their awareness of the Black maternal mortality crisis.
“If this conversation offends you, then this conversation is for you,” Johnson noted regarding doctors who might dismiss the issue. “If you want to just dismiss it, then that’s a red flag that it’s not a good fit.”
For those wanting to get involved, Johnson encourages men to have conversations within their circles and share resources. “Nobody’s coming to save us and it’s up to us to stand in the gap,” he emphasized.
Through 4Kira4Moms, Charles Johnson IV is turning his unimaginable pain into a movement of hope, demanding a future where zero preventable maternal deaths are not just an audacious goal, but a reality.
To mark its 10th anniversary, 4Kira4Moms is shutting down downtown Atlanta for a massive, free block party in celebration of Black Maternal Health Week. On April 11, the family-friendly event will feature live performances, food, and bouncy houses. It will also connect the community with essential on-the-ground resources, including doulas, nutritionists, lactation consultants, and free health screenings. You can register here.
Check out the full interview.
