SATURDAY · AUGUST 29th, 2026

Latch & Stroll

Our annual South Side celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week — a joyful afternoon of family, food, music, and the radical care that grows our communities.

11:00AM - 3:00PM · RUSSELL SQUARE PARK · FREE & FAMILY FRIENDLY

ABOUT THE DAY

A block party for Black breastfeeding.

Latch & Stroll is the largest community gathering we host all year. It began as a small Saturday meet-up of nursing parents in a South Side park, and has grown into a full-day celebration of Black birthing families, lactation support, community care, and joy.

Black Breastfeeding Week exists because the stories, science, and support around breastfeeding have rarely centered us. For generations, our families have nourished babies through impossible conditions. This day honors that lineage — and builds the village our next generation deserves.

Whether you’re nursing now, considering it, supporting a loved one, or simply showing up in solidarity — you belong here.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It takes a village.

01

Educational Workshops

Lactation consultants, doulas, and midwives lead hands-on sessions on latching, pumping, returning to work, and partner support.

04

Vendor Village

Black-owned businesses offering everything from postpartum nourishment to handmade body care and baby essentials.

02

Family Activities

Story time, a kids’ activity station, bouncy houses, wellness activities, and more for the whole family.

05

Giveaways

Breast pumps, nursing supplies, diapers, and care packages distributed throughout the day.

03

Community Resources

Connect with South Side organizations across maternal health, childcare, mental health, doula care, food access, and beyond.

06

Food & Entertainment

South Side chefs, a live DJ, dancing, spoken word, and an open mic for the village.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Bring your people. Bring your stroller.

Registration is free and helps us plan for food, giveaways, and seating. Please let us know if you plan to bring children when you register.

HELP US BUILD THE DAY

There’s a place for you.

Latch & Stroll is built by the community, for the community. Here’s how to plant something with us.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Bring your organization

Tabling is free for mission-aligned nonprofits and South Side community groups serving families, parents, and children.

VOLUNTEERS

Lend a few hours

Greet families, run kids’ activities, support our programming, or help with set up and breakdown. All shifts are welcome.

VENDORS

Sell & showcase your work

We prioritize Black-owned and South Side rooted vendors. Limited spots available across food, retail, wellness, and art.

SPONSORS

Power the day

Sponsorships fund free admission, giveaways, and stipends for our community presenters. Multiple levels available.

BLACK BREASTFEEDING WEEK · AUG 25th — 31st

Why this week matters.

Black babies in the US are breast/chestfed at the lowest rate of any group. This is not an accident, but a result of generations of policy, racism, and disinvestment in our health.

Breast/chestfeeding is one of the most powerful tools we have to close that gap. And the support to make it possible — lactation consultants, midwives, paid leave, community — must be built deliberately, by us, for us.

Latch & Stroll is one small but joyful part of that work.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Good to know.

  • Latch & Stroll is completely free. Registration helps us plan, but walk-ups are always welcome.

  • Absolutely. The whole day is built around families — strollers, toddlers, big kids, grandparents, and chosen family all belong.

  • Not at all. We welcome all supporters of breast/chestfeeding. —parents, caregivers, birth workers, providers, friends, neighbors. The more the merrier.

  • Yes. There is free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Detailed transit and parking info goes out the week of the event.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Hear it first — event updates, workshops, and birth center news.

BEYOND THE BLOCK PARTY

Learn more about the Chicago South Side Birth Center.