Dallas Lamar Project Started Support for Grieving Families
The Brooklyn-based group provides culturally responsive resources for families navigating pregnancy and infant loss.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Babies
Founded in 2026, the Dallas Lamar Project now offers monthly support meetings to connect parents with specialized providers after the loss of a child. The initiative focuses on addressing the specific needs of Caribbean families and reducing the silence surrounding child loss.
Why it matters
The project addresses significant gaps in support for families dealing with child loss, which remains a prevalent issue as stillbirth affects approximately 1 in 175 births nationally. Founder Chester established the group to provide culturally responsive care after finding limited resources that reflected her own West Indian background.
The project serves as a resource for families impacted by high rates of loss, including CDC data from 2021 showing stillbirth rates for Black women were twice as high as those for white women. Monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month in Brooklyn.
The players
Chester
The founder of the Dallas Lamar Project who established the organization to support families following her own experience with child loss in 2011.
Dallas Lamar Project
A Brooklyn-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing culturally responsive support and navigation resources for families grieving the loss of a child.
The details
The group functions as a connection point rather than a direct provider of therapy services. By facilitating space for parents to listen and share, the project aims to link families with midwives, doulas, psychiatric providers, and therapists who understand their cultural context. This approach specifically targets the stigma often found in West Indian families regarding the loss of a child.
Timeline
The founder lost her son, Dallas, in 2011.
CDC data recorded stillbirth disparities in 2021.
The U.S. recorded 3,400 sudden infant deaths in 2024.
The organization held its first meeting in October 2026.
A candle lighting event took place on October 15, 2026, at 7 p.m.
The Home Front
The project forms in response to persistent national health disparities, particularly those identified in the 2021 CDC stillbirth statistics. This initiative highlights the growing demand for specialized community support networks to supplement traditional obstetric and mental health care.
Families in the Brooklyn area can attend monthly support meetings held on the last Wednesday of each month. If you are seeking support, consider connecting with the group to find referrals for midwives, doulas, or specialized psychiatric care providers.
The takeaway
The Dallas Lamar Project aims to reduce the stigma surrounding child loss by offering a culturally responsive space for West Indian families. Parents seeking connection can reach out to the organization to attend their recurring monthly meetings.
Further reading
For additional resources on navigating early childhood loss, visit Babies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Caribbean Life.
