About us
About Us
Our Story
At the height of the Covid pandemic, Michele LaMarr-Suggs, encountered many at-risk pregnant women who were crippled by fear from the impacts of Covid. Many already living in the grip of poverty coupled with having to face job loss with the added responsibility of caring for their unborn children. It was then she was moved with compassion by their growing needs and founded non-profit Royal Generation, Inc. which aimed at improving social determinants of health for black birthing people in Philadelphia – by providing things they need to THRIVE not just SURVIVE. Royal Generation provides baby essentials, food resources, scholarships for emotional support services in and around pregnancy, and doula support scholarships, and free childbirth education and support services for black fathers. Her organization has serviced over 500 families to date and we are still going STRONG!
Core Values
At Royal Generation we are committed to answering the C.A.L.L through.
Community
Advocacy
Love
Legacy
No poverty
Best education
Clean water
Good health
Nutrition
About the Founder and CEO
Michele is a full-scope midwife at Penn OBGYN and Midwifery Care located at Pennsylvania Hospital where over 5,000 babies are born annually. Michele has also co-edited women’s health publications and textbooks. She serves as Associate Professor of Clinical Practice at the University of Pennsylvania and Adjunct faculty at the Midwifery Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. Michele became a pioneering figure in the cause of Black midwifery, decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality, and has worked tirelessly to reduce mortalities linked to pregnancy and to increase the number of Black midwives and doulas in our country. Desperate to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes for women of color, Michele now serves on the Philadelphia Maternal and Mortality Review Committee which is comprised of multidisciplinary stakeholders from across the city in order to better understand the causes of maternal mortality and to provide recommendations for policy and programmatic change across the city. In 2020, she was featured on the Sexing History podcast entitled “Love and Labor” which discussed the contributions and impacts of Black midwives in America from early colonization to present. She is currently working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to establish the nation’s first Nurse Midwifery program accredited by an HBCU geared to recruit and train midwives of color to serve minority and disenfranchised patient populations. March 2024, Michele was invited to testify before Philadelphia’s City Council to address disparities in black maternal health.
September, 2021, Michele was the recipient of the Community Impact Award from the Kevin John McAleese Foundation and the 2023 CoCoLife M.O.Mbassador Award for Maternal Advocacy and Community Service. She was recognized at Penn Medicine for the impacts of the Royal Generation, and she has been the recipient of their Cares Grant for several years to aid in continuing her work. April 2024, the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) featured her as Midwife of the Week for her efforts in building stronger birthing communities through advocacy and support for black and brown people in Philadelphia. She has been featured on local media outlets about the black maternal health crisis in Philadelphia.
Vision
Core Values
“C”ommunity
“A”dvocacy
“L”ove
“L”egacy
Vision
Mission
Advocacy is at the core of our work. We aim to amplify the voices of black birthing people and advocate for their rights, pushing for equitable access to healthcare, resources, political reform and opportunities by addressing racism, classism, and gender oppression in our city and beyond. Together, as a village, we stand strong and united, advocating for justice and equality. We believe that by addressing the social determinants of health and fostering a supportive environment, we can contribute to positive change in the lives of individuals and communities as a whole. With our village by their side, every black birthing person in Philadelphia can thrive and flourish.
Our mission is to address the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect black birthing people. We strive to provide free baby essentials, ensuring that every newborn has a strong foundation for a healthy start in life. Additionally, we prioritize mental health support and education recognizing the impacts on maternal morbidity and mortality. Through our programs and services, we aim to create a nurturing village of support, where birthing parents can find solace, guidance, and encouragement. Furthermore, we understand the critical role that paternal support plays in the overall well-being of birthing parents, and we are committed to offering dual support systems to ensure that both parents feel empowered and supported throughout the process. By fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility, we aim to create a village where everyone feels valued and uplifted.
Mission
Advocacy is at the core of our work. We aim to amplify the voices of black birthing people and advocate for their rights, pushing for equitable access to healthcare, resources, political reform and opportunities by addressing racism, classism, and gender oppression in our city and beyond. Together, as a village, we stand strong and united, advocating for justice and equality. We believe that by addressing the social determinants of health and fostering a supportive environment, we can contribute to positive change in the lives of individuals and communities as a whole. With our village by their side, every black birthing person in Philadelphia can thrive and flourish.
Our mission is to address the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect black birthing people. We strive to provide free baby essentials, ensuring that every newborn has a strong foundation for a healthy start in life. Additionally, we prioritize mental health support and education recognizing the impacts on maternal morbidity and mortality. Through our programs and services, we aim to create a nurturing village of support, where birthing parents can find solace, guidance, and encouragement. Furthermore, we understand the critical role that paternal support plays in the overall well-being of birthing parents, and we are committed to offering dual support systems to ensure that both parents feel empowered and supported throughout the process. By fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility, we aim to create a village where everyone feels valued and uplifted.