About the event
This interactive workshop equips midwives, midwifery students, healthcare professionals, and birth workers with the knowledge and tools to promote equity and inclusivity in maternity care. Participants will explore the impact of systemic racism on birthing experiences and outcomes, address biases in healthcare settings, and develop actionable steps to promote antiracist practices. The session emphasises amplifying marginalised voices, integrating culturally competent care, and creating safe, affirming spaces for all birthing individuals.
Our Guest Speakers:
Illiyin Morrison
Is a dedicated registered midwife, author, trauma specialist and anti racism educator, with a passion for supporting women during their perinatal journeys, Illiyin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Her book, "The Birth Debrief," offers a compassionate guide for mothers, parents, partners, professionals and more to navigate the complexities of perinatal experiences, providing insights and tools to process and heal.
Illiyin's unwavering commitment to maternal well-being extends beyond the birthing suite. Through her social media platform and public speaking, she advocates for comprehensive postpartum care, destigmatizing mental health challenges, racism and unconscious bias and fostering a supportive community for all mothers. Her advocacy work emphasizes the importance of self-care, communal care, self-acceptance, and embracing the transformative journey of motherhood.
As a midwife, author, and influential figure, Illiyin Morrison continues to inspire and empower mothers, creating a positive impact on their lives and the broader maternal health landscape.
Benash Nazmeen
Is a Midwife, researcher, and Assistant Professor in Midwifery with a strong track record in addressing health inequalities within maternity care. She co-founded the Association of South Asian Midwives (ASAM) to support marginalised colleagues and raise awareness of the barriers faced by diverse communities.
Benash has co-designed and delivers Cultural Competency and Safety Workshops for maternity professionals, recognised in the NHS Equity and Equality Guidance (2021) as a case study of good practice. She is actively engaged in research into health inequalities and interpretation services in maternity settings, with a focus on equitable, person-centred care.
She serves as Co-Chair of the Birth Rights Inquiry into Racial Injustice in UK Maternity Services, and sits on the MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Confidential Enquiry Review Panel. A Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives, Benash brings deep insight, experience, and lived understanding to her workshop, “Working with Language Barriers.”
Keelie Grindley
Qualifying as a midwife in October 2022, Keelie having a particular interest and passion in Black maternal heath, progressed from a band 6 clinical midwife position to a band 8 specialist role in equality, diversity and inclusion midwifery. Her current role involves engaging with diverse communities in her region, elevating their voices and working to improve outcomes for the Black community and other marginalised groups. A large part of her role includes facilitating equitable care and anti racism education for midwives and midwifery support workers. Outside of the NHS keelie delivers anti racist and equitable care education for student midwives up and down the country and raise awareness of racial inequalities and advocate for change through her instagram @MidwifeKeelie
Keelie was recently awarded the Rising Star Award at the Black Maternal Health Awards 2025 and has featured as a panellist at the Black Maternal Health Awards 2025 and at the Black Mother’s Mind conference.
Who can attend?
This event is open to all students, staff, and external guests. You should pre-book your entry by buying a ticket for the event. You must bring a form of ID with you on the day.
How can you get there?
The event is taking place in Square One, located on the ground floor of the Hub, close to disabled toilets, gender-neutral toilets, and water filling stations.
Public parking is available at St John's Street, Gosford Street, Grove Street and Far Gosford.
Refreshments
Tea, Coffee and biscuits are available in the morning before the workshop begins. Coventry University has a wide range of reasonably priced eateries for lunch and refreshments during the break.
Doors open
Doors will open at 9:30am.
For the smooth running of the event please arrive promptly to allow time for registration and to collect your lanyard.