Nationwide — Dr. Janell Green Smith, a South Carolina midwife and advocate for Black maternal health, died from complications during childbirth at just early 30s. She was a devoted professional, photographer, and mother, remembered for her work supporting Black families.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives called her death a “profound failure of the systems meant to protect birthing people.” According to The Grio, they said it is both heartbreaking and unacceptable for a Black midwife to die after giving birth in the United States, highlighting systemic racism and gaps in care.
Known as a “Loc’d Midwife,” Green Smith focused on supporting Black parents during early childhood. She partnered with Hive Impact Fund, a nonprofit that offers resources for families, and used her platform to raise awareness about health disparities during Black Maternal Health Week.
She became a certified midwife in 2021 and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2024. Her journey included personal challenges, including her mother’s death in 2023, which briefly paused her studies. She shared on social media how faith and resilience helped her continue despite hardships.
Outside of midwifery, Green Smith pursued photography, capturing family portraits, baby announcements, and special moments. She often described herself as a “Certified Nurse Midwife catching babies & angles,” blending her professional and creative passions.
Her sudden death has left the maternal health community in mourning. A GoFundMe has been set up to support her husband, Daiquan, and their newborn, honoring her legacy and the lives she touched. It has so far raised over $65,000.