Heroes I’ve Known: The Life and Times of a Tuskegee Midwife

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 2:00–6:00 PM 

General Seating: $25.00

Experience an unforgettable journey of history, healing, and legacy during Heroes I’ve Known: The Life and Times of a Tuskegee Midwife—a powerful multimedia stage production and exhibit inspired by I Ain’t Noways Tired: Grandma’s Hands: The Story of a Tuskegee Midwife, written by Executive Producer and Karamu Fellow Brinase Merritt and co-produced by Emmy Award-winning storyteller Betty J. Halliburton. At its heart is the extraordinary true story of Ms. Merritt’s grandmother, Elvira Barrow Martin, affectionately known as the “Tuskegee Midwife.” From the 1920s through the 1950s, she served families throughout Macon County,
Alabama, safely delivering more than 3,000 Black and white babies during one of the most segregated periods in American history. Her remarkable life honors generations of midwives whose courage, skill, sacrifice, and healing hands sustained families and strengthened communities. The experience connects that powerful legacy to today, celebrating certified nurse-midwives, doulas, maternal health advocates, and healthcare professionals working to reduce infant and maternal mortality and advance
equitable care for women and families.

We are proud to be joined by Signature Sponsor Village of Healing, whose commitment to community wellness, healing, empowerment, advocacy, and health equity reflects the spirit of this important event. This is more than a stage production—it is history brought to life, a legacy reclaimed, and a call to continue the work. Don’t miss this powerful celebration of the hands that delivered generations.