Charles Johnson shared his birth story that ended in the tragic, senseless, and avoidable death of his wife, Kira Dixon Johnson. Kira was a healthy 30-year-old woman in her second pregnancy when she trusted her vetted doctor and the reputation of an accomplished hospital system to ensure safe delivery of her child and her recovery. A rushed surgical birth that nicked her bladder caused internal bleeding; she lost her life after a series of pleas for support when she showed signs of hemorrhaging. Charles describes the formula that accompanies nearly every story of a Black woman losing her life in childbirth as, “We expressed our concerns, our concerns were dismissed or delayed, and by the time they did something, it was too late.”

The attending doctor, Dr. Naim, was later found negligent by the California Medical Board. Charles was inspired to keep fighting for better care and accountability. He founded 4Kira4Moms as a force multiplier in spreading the message of systemic change in medical care. This includes better care provider training, transparency, and accountability. The disproportionate impact of maternal mortality on Black women is at the center of his legislative advocacy, better doula and midwifery support, and increased awareness and education among fathers and non-birthing parents. Charles believes that revolutionary care  is that there has to be a fundamental standard of care in this country for all birthing people and doctors, midwives, whoever is performing these services, and who's getting paid for these services, their compensation needs to be tied to their ability to meet that standard period.

Charles brought their baby home without Kira. He has faced fatherhood headfirst, allowing his sons to be his guiding force. They sustain him. They are the tools in his mental health toolbox, along with consistent therapy. He works for Kira's legacy and the future of change.

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