In communities across the country, conversations surrounding maternal and infant health have become more important than ever. Families continue to face challenges related to access to healthcare, education, support systems, and resources during pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period. In Memphis and across the Mid-South, these challenges impact real families every single day.
That is why Grind City Cares created the Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness.
Taking place on June 6, 2026, at Shelby Farms Park, the Grind City Cares Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness is more than just a walk or race. It is a community-driven initiative designed to bring people together to raise awareness of maternal and infant health, support families, reduce disparities, and connect the community to meaningful resources and organizations already doing impactful work throughout the Midsouth.
At its core, this event is about people.
It is about mothers who need support. It is about fathers learning how to better support their families. It is about babies deserving healthy beginnings. It is about families navigating difficult journeys during pregnancy, postpartum care, infertility, infant loss, NICU experiences, and mental health challenges. It is also about ensuring families know they are not alone.
One of the most important decisions we made while planning this event was making it completely free for participants and families.
We never wanted cost to become a barrier for someone seeking support, connection, education, or community. Whether someone wants to walk in honor of a loved one, learn about available resources, support a friend or family member, or simply spend time in a positive community environment, they should be able to do so without worrying about registration fees.
Because of that decision, this event has become a true collaborative effort across the Midsouth and Greater Memphis area.
Hospitals, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, businesses, wellness providers, fitness organizations, schools, and community leaders have all started coming together to support this mission. What has been most encouraging throughout this process is seeing how many people genuinely care about creating healthier outcomes for families in our city.
The event will feature community organizations, healthcare resources, family engagement activities, wellness opportunities, vendors, giveaways, and educational support for participants of all ages. We intentionally wanted this event to feel welcoming, uplifting, and family-centered while still bringing awareness to serious issues affecting maternal and infant health.
At Grind City Cares, we believe that major community impact happens through collaboration. No single organization can solve every issue alone, but when communities work together intentionally, meaningful change becomes possible. The Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness represents exactly that kind of collaboration.
Memphis is filled with organizations and individuals doing incredible work every day to support families. This event simply creates a space to bring many of those efforts together in one place so families can feel seen, supported, and connected.
We also recognize that awareness is only the beginning.
We hope that this event sparks ongoing conversations about maternal health, infant health, mental wellness, access to care, family support systems, and health equity throughout our community. We want people to leave the event not only inspired but also informed and connected to organizations that can continue supporting them long after the race is over.
For many participants, this event may be personal. Some may walk in celebration of healthy pregnancies and children. Others may participate in honor of a difficult journey or loved one they have lost. Some may simply attend to learn how they can better support families in their own communities.
No matter the reason someone attends, the goal remains the same: creating a stronger, healthier, and more connected Mid-South community for families.
As the event continues to grow, we remain grateful for every sponsor, volunteer, healthcare professional, organization, and community member who believes in this mission. Their support is what allows us to keep the event accessible and impactful for families across the Midsouth.
The Grind City Cares Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness is not just about one day at Shelby Farms Park. It is about building awareness, creating support systems, strengthening partnerships, and reminding families that their community cares about them.
Memphis has always been a city built on resilience, compassion, and community. This event is another example of what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose to support one another.
We invite the community to join us on June 6, 2026, as we walk, run, support, educate, and advocate for healthier families throughout the Mid-South.
Grind City Cares is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through outreach, education, health initiatives, family support, and strategic partnerships. Guided by the mission of “Changing One Community at a Time,” the organization works collaboratively with businesses, healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations to create meaningful impact across the Mid-South. Through initiatives such as community events, food distributions, scholarships, wellness outreach, and the Midsouth Race for Perinatal Awareness, Grind City Cares is committed to supporting healthier families and more connected communities.
