4DAD Takes Center Stage: Empowering Black Fathers Through Tech
Introduction (Third Person): Alvarez Spark Innovation Award recipient Diamond Cunningham is a doctoral student and reproductive justice advocate researching Black maternal health outcomes and father involvement during the postpartum period. Diamond used her $500 award to invest in professional branding for 4DAD, a mobile app addressing Black maternal health through father engagement, which led to recognition at Blavity Fest.
Featured Photo Caption: Presenting 4DAD concept at BlavityFest main stage in Atlanta
Blog Post: I’m passionate about reproductive justice and advocating for Black mothers to have the birthing experiences they deserve. My research intererst focuses on strengthening their support systems by examining Black fathers and their navigation of the childbirth system, particularly during the fourth trimester. Very evidently, I’m not a Black father. So, I relied heavily on qualitative research methods to informally document the lived experiences of Black fathers within my immediate circles (friends of family members, friends, etc.) to get a better understanding. Through my initial interviews with ten fathers, I uncovered complex experiences that existing literature hadn’t captured. These conversations revealed how stigma and stereotypes have systematically excluded Black fathers from maternal health conversations, despite their desire to actively support their partners. Rather than placing the burden of systemic failures on Black fathers, I wanted to amplify their voices and provide them with accessible resources that could meaningfully improve outcomes for Black families.
During the Changemaker Institute Fellowship at Tulane in Spring 2025, Dr. Julia Lang and Marguerite Sheffer provided the framework I needed to transform this research into actionable solutions. My work had identified a critical gap in Black maternal health care: medical support ends after six weeks, but Black mothers face elevated mortality risks throughout the entire first year postpartum. I wanted to specifically focus on Black fathers during this period to learn more about their experiences and develop actual resources that work for families navigating these challenges.
When I received the Alvarez award, I made a strategic decision to invest the $500 in professional branding through 2ndStoryCreative, a New Orleans based business. I recognized the importance of establishing a strong digital presence early in the venture development process, understanding that credibility in today’s landscape requires professional online representation. Even though the idea was still in the development stage, the brand foundation would remain consistent throughout the venture’s evolution, making this an ideal starting point for building 4DAD’s professional identity.
The Blavity Fest Opportunity: I applied to Blavity Fest’s Idea Hour competition and was selected to present on the main stage in Atlanta. Standing in front of established entrepreneur judges, I presented 4DAD with confidence, knowing I had the professional foundation to support my message!
Unexpected Connections and Insights The experience yielded unexpected benefits. I discovered New Orleans connections through Atlanta contacts, reinforcing how national platforms can strengthen local networks. I also gained valuable insights about AI integration in health tech, recognizing the need to thoughtfully assess user comfort with these tools in maternal health contexts.
4DAD addresses the fourth trimester gap by empowering fathers with practical tools: alerts about postpartum warning signs, communication strategies for medical appointments, and resources for supporting their partners. The response at Blavity Fest confirmed what my research had shown people immediately understood why engaging fathers as partners could save lives!
On the Horizon: I’m now focused on user research around AI integration and building partnerships with organizations working in this space. The Alvarez investment accomplished exactly what I intended: it positioned me to capitalize on opportunities like Blavity Fest and advance solutions to critical health disparities!