About Sarah

Sarah Chitongo is an award-winning Midwife, Midwifery Educator, and Champion for Equitable Maternity Care with over 20 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. A proud Black woman born in Zimbabwe, Sarah is deeply committed to transforming maternity care for Black and Brown women through culturally sensitive, evidence-based practice.

Her journey began in Zimbabwe, where she witnessed firsthand the disparities in maternal healthcare that disproportionately affected Black and Brown women. This early exposure ignited a passion that would shape her entire career and drive her to become one of the most influential voices in midwifery education and advocacy in the United Kingdom.

After moving to the UK, Sarah pursued her education in midwifery with distinction, quickly establishing herself as a dedicated practitioner with exceptional clinical skills and a profound commitment to patient-centered care. Her natural ability to connect with women from diverse backgrounds, combined with her clinical expertise, made her an outstanding midwife whose impact extended far beyond the delivery room.

"Every woman deserves to be heard, respected, and empowered to birth on her own terms. Cultural understanding isn't optional in maternity care—it's essential."

— Sarah Chitongo

Recognizing the systemic inequalities affecting Black and Brown women in maternity care, Sarah transitioned into education, believing that transforming the next generation of midwives was key to addressing these disparities. As a Midwifery Educator, she has pioneered innovative teaching methods that emphasize cultural competence and anti-racist practice, ensuring that future midwives are equipped to provide truly equitable care.

Her groundbreaking research on maternal outcomes for Black and Brown women has been published in prestigious journals and has informed policy changes at both local and national levels. Sarah's work has been instrumental in highlighting the urgent need for culturally sensitive approaches to maternity care and has provided practical frameworks for implementing these approaches in clinical settings.

Achievements & Recognition

Sarah's exceptional contributions to midwifery and maternal health equity have earned her numerous prestigious accolades and recognition from leading institutions in healthcare and academia.

Mary Seacole Award

Recognized for outstanding contribution to advancing health equality for Black and minority ethnic communities.

Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives

Honored for exceptional leadership and significant contribution to the midwifery profession.

Queen's Nurse

Recognized for commitment to high standards of patient care and nursing practice.

Published Author

Author of influential papers and books on maternal health equity and culturally sensitive care.

Black Blossom Alliance

Driven by her vision for equitable maternity care, Sarah founded the Black Blossom Alliance, a charitable organization dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes for Black and Brown women through education, advocacy, and community support.

Our Mission

Through her charity, Black Blossom Alliance, Sarah fosters a collaborative movement that brings together the lived experiences of the community and the expertise of healthcare professionals to drive meaningful change in maternity care. By blending cultural insight with clinical leadership, the Alliance advocates for systemic transformation.

Sarah's work is rooted in compassion, cultural pride, and the belief that every woman deserves to be heard, respected, and empowered to birth on her own terms.

Support Our Work

The Alliance operates through several key initiatives:

  • Community Education Programs: Empowering women with knowledge about their bodies, pregnancy, and birth options.
  • Healthcare Provider Training: Delivering cultural competency workshops for midwives, obstetricians, and other maternity care providers.
  • Research and Advocacy: Conducting research to inform policy changes and advocating for systemic improvements in maternity care.
  • Doula Training Program: Training culturally competent doulas to support women through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
  • Mentorship Initiative: Supporting aspiring midwives and healthcare professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.

Under Sarah's leadership, the Black Blossom Alliance has grown from a local initiative to a nationally recognized organization that has positively impacted thousands of women's birth experiences and contributed to significant policy changes in maternity care.

Publications & Research

Sarah is a prolific researcher and author whose work has significantly contributed to the understanding of racial disparities in maternal health and the development of culturally sensitive approaches to maternity care.

Empowered Birth

A Guide for Black and Brown & Mothers in the UK
2025

Pregnancy should be a time of joy, strength, and deep connection—to yourself, your baby, and your body’s innate wisdom. But for many Black women in the UK, the journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is often shadowed by fear, silence, and systemic neglect.

Empowered to Conceive

A Preconception Guide for Black and Brown Women
2025

For too long, Black and Brown women have been left out of mainstream reproductive health narratives. Our pain has been dismissed, our symptoms overlooked, and our experiences often ignored in clinical spaces. This guide is here to change that

Testimonials

"Sarah's work has transformed how we approach maternity care for diverse populations in our hospital. Her training programs have equipped our midwives with the skills and sensitivity needed to provide truly inclusive care. The impact on patient satisfaction and outcomes has been remarkable."
"As a Black woman navigating pregnancy, I felt unseen and unheard until I connected with Sarah's community programs through the Black Blossom Alliance. The knowledge, support, and advocacy I received completely changed my birth experience. Sarah's work isn't just academic—it's saving lives and empowering women like me."
"Sarah Chitongo is a visionary educator whose teaching methods have revolutionized how we prepare midwives for practice in diverse communities. Her emphasis on cultural humility and evidence-based care has influenced an entire generation of midwives who are now changing the landscape of maternity care."