Impact100 Essex Awards $100,000 Grant to Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI)

Essex County, NJ, May 8, 2025

Impact100 Essex, a giving circle founded and funded by women in Essex County, awarded its annual $100,000 Impact Grant to Perinatal Health Equity Initiative (PHEI). The announcement was made last Friday, May 2nd. Now in its 8th year, Impact100 Essex provides transformative grants to nonprofits serving underrepresented communities in Essex County. Since its inception in 2017 it has granted over $1.2 million dollars to Essex County nonprofits.

Dr. Nastassia K. Harris, Founder and Executive Director of Perinatal Health Equity Initiative, said, “We are humbled to receive this year's Impact100 Essex grant. Because of this grant, our community is going to have a vital resource providing equitable and safe clinical care for Black moms from pregnancy and beyond. This grant is for our mamas." She added, “Raising funds for a capital campaign is a daunting task and the opening of the Lt. Tamesha Dickey Black Maternal Health Center in East Orange would have been in jeopardy if we didn't reach our phase one funding goal. With support from the women of Impact100 Essex we have done just that!”

Kristin Stuek, Co-Chair, Grants Committee at Impact100 Essex said, "We are pleased to give this $100,000 grant to support PHEI’s opening of New Jersey’s first Black maternal health clinic. We are confident this grant will have a significant impact on the lives of Black mothers and babies."

The Black Maternal Health Center is named for Lt. Tamesha Dickey, a local Black mother and Police Lieutenant of the E. Orange Police Department, who died from inadequate perinatal care in 2018.

Perinatal Health Equity Initiative was chosen from among four finalists by Impact100 Essex members. The other finalists for this year’s Impact Grant were The Apostles' House, Braven and Project U.S.E. These three organizations will receive grants of $10,000 each.

“We are excited to support PHEI and our other finalists.” said Jill Edinburg, Co-Chair, Grants Committee at Impact100 Essex. She further commented, “It’s a thrill to see PHEI, a finalist last year, reapply and be selected as the $100,000 recipient this year.”

Impact100 Essex is always open to new members. The organization enables members to amplify their philanthropic giving and learn about nonprofits in their own community. Impact100 Essex grants are funded by gifts of $1,150 per member, per year. The organization awards a $100,000 Impact Grant each year, three Equity Grants and several smaller grants. For more information, visit www.impact100essex.org.