FRESNO, CA --It's still an alarming fact: out of 3,941,109 babies born in 2016, just under 7 percent of white babies weighed too little at birth, compared to 13.7 percent of African-American babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because Fresno County's African-American population experiences an infant mortality rate of 25.3 per 1,000 live births compared to a rate of 8.1 per 1,000 live births for white residents, the local branch of the Black Infant Health Program (Fresno BIH) is urging black mothers to seek help immediately with them before or during their pregnancies.

Fresno BIH's massive social media campaign to outreach to expecting mothers has included sharing the stories of mothers from a range of ages who entered their program and were able to utilize their many available resources.

Part 1 of Destiny Parchment s Story is featuring this week, reaching out to college-age expecting mothers having children. Parchment is detailed and honest about feeling judged by colleagues and friends and yet empowered by her determination to finish college and be a good mother, luckily with the help of the Fresno Black Infant Health Program and other close friends.

Stay tuned to the following week to hear part 2, of Parchment's experience, and watch Destiny Parchment s Story Part 1 below where she begins her empowering story of her journey as a young college mother to be.

Or, watch the stories of other expecting mothers from all age ranges at the below playlist:

Find more facts and pregnancy educational tips on the Fresno BIH program here!

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