A Community Portrait of DC Motherhood
To know a mother
is to know a world.
Capital M: Exploring Motherhood Across Wards and Generations in DC is a multi-phase, multimedia public humanities project that documents, interprets, and artistically presents the lived experiences of DC mothers across all eight wards and multiple generations.
Four Thematic Pillars
The stories we're
collecting — and
why they matter.
90%
of maternal deaths in Washington, DC occur among non-Hispanic Black women. 64% occur to women living east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8.The Century Foundation, 2022
Maternal Health
Birth outcomes, healthcare access, and the physical realities of DC motherhood.
Place-Based Parenting
How ward, neighborhood, and geography shape the experience of raising children in DC.
Work & Worth
Economic realities, wage gaps, caregiving labor, and the value of mothers' work.
Legacy & Leadership
How DC mothers lead, build community, and shape the next generation.
How We're Gathering Stories
Four channels.
Eight wards. One city.
Storytelling Sessions
Oral history interviews with DC mothers across all 8 wards. Community listening sessions and public events hosted in neighborhood spaces.
Creative Mom Ambassadors
6–8 DC mothers as community co-creators and outreach leads, shaping the project's narrative from within.
Nominations
An open call for the community to nominate DC mothers with stories to tell — from individuals, organizations, and partners.
Call for Art
Open submission for creative works exploring and reflecting DC motherhood. Selected pieces featured in the Who Raised You? exhibition.
Gathering Stories · June – October 2026
Upcoming Events
Capital M Milestones.
Introducing Capital M
Mother's Day Doesn't End in May · Launch Event · Penn Quarter
A Moment for Mom
Publication preview event on Maternal Health Awareness Day
Born & Raised
Digital storytelling campaign
Who Raised You?
Culminating community exhibition · Black Maternal Health Week