In this session, participants will learn how to initiate a conversation around maternal mental health with pregnant African American women and understand why culturally responsive models of care should be used to assess and treat Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMADs) in women of color. Additionally, this presentation will discuss the myth of the strong Black woman, racism, classism, and sexism and their adverse influences on the emotional and mental health of pregnant African American women. At the end of this session, participants will be able to articulate the necessity of addressing the mental health needs of pregnant African American women in a manner that both acknowledges and centers on their unique lived experiences.