Best of Best Review proudly recognizes Shades of Blue Project as the recipient of the award for Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026. This recognition honors the organization’s national leadership in maternal mental health advocacy, culturally responsive support services, workforce training, health equity initiatives, and community centered healing for Black and Brown mothers, birthing people, and families across the country.

The award reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to transforming maternal mental health support through lived experience, advocacy, education, technology, and systems change. Through direct services, national conversations, and innovative solutions, Shades of Blue Project continues to redefine how maternal mental health care is understood, delivered, and prioritized in the United States.

A Mission Rooted in Healing, Advocacy, and Action

Founded by Kay Matthews, Executive Director and Founder of Shades of Blue Project, the organization was created following her personal experience with stillbirth and undiagnosed postpartum depression. What began as a journey through grief and healing evolved into a nationally respected movement dedicated to ensuring that no mother or birthing person has to navigate maternal mental health challenges alone.

“The Shades of Blue Project was born from grief, but it has grown into a movement rooted in healing, advocacy, and action.”

At Best of Best Review, one of the most compelling factors behind this recognition was the organization’s ability to transform lived experience into practical and sustainable solutions that continue to support families nationwide.

Leading With Culturally Responsive Maternal Mental Health Support

What distinguishes Shades of Blue Project is its commitment to providing culturally grounded and trauma informed support services that meet families where they are. The organization supports individuals before, during, and after childbirth while addressing postpartum depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, infant loss, stress, and emotional distress through compassionate community centered care.

Families and community members consistently describe the organization’s programs and support systems as affirming, accessible, and deeply impactful.

“The Shades of Blue Project creates the kind of space many families have been searching for, one where maternal mental health is discussed with honesty, dignity, cultural understanding, and real support.”

During the selection process, Best of Best Review evaluated organizations based on accessibility, educational leadership, advocacy impact, innovation, trustworthiness, emotional support, community engagement, and long term influence. Shades of Blue Project demonstrated excellence across every category.

National Leadership in Black Maternal Mental Health Advocacy

Beyond support services, Shades of Blue Project has become a nationally recognized voice advancing conversations surrounding Black maternal mental health, health equity, and systemic accountability.

“Black maternal mental health is not just a personal issue. It is a public health issue, a community issue, and a justice issue.”

Through initiatives including Black Maternal Mental Health Week, the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, advocacy campaigns, storytelling projects, workforce development, and public education efforts, the organization continues to create spaces where healing, policy, community care, and leadership intersect.

At Best of Best Review, the organization’s ability to bridge community support with systems level advocacy played a major role in awarding Shades of Blue Project the title of Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026.

Workforce Training Creating Lasting Community Impact

Another defining strength of Shades of Blue Project is its commitment to workforce education through the INSPIRE Method. This nationally recognized training initiative equips providers, doulas, advocates, Healthy Start staff, and community health workers with tools to better recognize and respond to maternal mental health needs through culturally responsive and trauma informed approaches.

Participants consistently report that the training increases awareness, compassion, accountability, and preparedness when supporting families experiencing maternal mental health challenges.

“This work does more than raise awareness. It gives mothers, families, and professionals the tools, language, and community needed to move from silence to support.”

At Best of Best Review, the organization’s measurable impact on workforce development and community education further reinforced its leadership within the maternal mental health field.

Expanding Access Through Innovation and Technology

Innovation also contributed significantly to Shades of Blue Project receiving the award for Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026.

The organization developed the SHARE Network App to help families access maternal mental health resources, education, support, and community connections more easily while navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, grief, trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress.

“We built the SHARE Network App because families should not have to search endlessly for support while they are already carrying the weight of pregnancy, postpartum, grief, trauma, or emotional distress. Help should be accessible, culturally responsive, and easy to find.”

The SHARE Network App reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to creating accessible and practical support systems that improve outcomes for families nationwide.

Leadership That Continues to Inspire Change

Kay Matthews remains one of the leading voices in maternal mental health advocacy today. Her leadership has helped elevate lived experience as an essential part of maternal health conversations while also building trust within communities often overlooked by traditional systems.

“I never wanted another mother to feel as unseen, unsupported, or dismissed as I did. This work is how I honor my daughter, Troya Simone, and how I continue helping families find care, healing, and hope.”

At Best of Best Review, leadership evaluations included advocacy influence, educational impact, innovation, storytelling, public trust, and community engagement. Kay Matthews and Shades of Blue Project consistently demonstrated meaningful leadership and measurable national impact.

Why Best of Best Review Selected Shades of Blue Project

The decision to honor Shades of Blue Project with the award for Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026 was based on the organization’s exceptional work in maternal mental health support, advocacy, culturally responsive care, workforce training, education, and community healing.

“What makes this work powerful is that we do not separate lived experience from expertise. The voices of mothers, birthing people, and families are central to every solution we build.”

This recognition reflects not only the organization’s national influence, but also the compassion, integrity, and humanity that continue to define its mission.

Looking Toward the Future

As Shades of Blue Project continues expanding its national reach through advocacy, technology, education, support services, workforce development, and community centered initiatives, the organization remains committed to building a future where every family has access to respectful, responsive, and equitable maternal mental health care.

“When people donate to The Shades of Blue Project, they are not just supporting an organization. They are helping us reach mothers, families, and communities with the care, resources, and advocacy they deserve.”

At Best of Best Review, it is an honor to recognize organizations whose work continues to create healing, strengthen communities, and shape the future of maternal mental health support across the United States.

Learn More About Shades of Blue Project

Readers can learn more about Shades of Blue Project by visiting their official website at Shades of Blue Project, where they can explore the organization’s mission, programs, advocacy efforts, community resources, and opportunities to support maternal mental health equity. Additional updates, educational content, and community initiatives can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Families and community members seeking accessible maternal mental health support and resources can also explore the SHARE Network App.