Evergreen Awards proudly recognizes Shades of Blue Project as the recipient of the Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026 award for its outstanding leadership, culturally responsive care, national advocacy efforts, and commitment to advancing maternal mental health support for Black and Brown mothers, birthing people, families, and communities across the country.

This recognition reflects the organization’s growing national impact in maternal mental health education, community support, workforce training, technology, advocacy, and systems change. Through healing centered programs and accessible support services, Shades of Blue Project continues to redefine what compassionate and community driven maternal mental health care can look like in the United States.

A National Movement Rooted in Lived Experience

Founded by Kay Matthews, Executive Director and Founder of Shades of Blue Project, the organization was created following her experience with the stillbirth of her daughter, Troya Simone, and her own journey through undiagnosed postpartum depression.

What began as a personal search for healing has evolved into a nationally respected organization dedicated to ensuring that no mother or birthing person faces pregnancy, postpartum depression, grief, trauma, anxiety, emotional distress, or infant loss without support and connection to care.

“The Shades of Blue Project was born from grief, but it has grown into a movement rooted in healing, advocacy, and action.”

At Evergreen Awards, one of the defining factors behind selecting Shades of Blue Project for the Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026 award was the organization’s ability to transform lived experience into practical solutions that directly support families and communities nationwide.

Delivering Culturally Responsive Maternal Mental Health Support

What distinguishes Shades of Blue Project is its commitment to providing maternal mental health support services through a culturally grounded, trauma informed, and community centered approach.

The organization serves mothers, birthing people, families, providers, advocates, and community leaders through support groups, educational initiatives, advocacy campaigns, storytelling efforts, and workforce development programs designed to address maternal mental health challenges with dignity and compassion.

Families supported by the organization frequently describe the experience as affirming, healing, and transformative.

“The Shades of Blue Project creates the kind of space many families have been searching for, one where maternal mental health is discussed with honesty, dignity, cultural understanding, and real support.”

During the award evaluation process, Evergreen Awards considered criteria including accessibility, leadership, advocacy, trustworthiness, educational impact, innovation, emotional support, community engagement, and sustainable national influence.

Shades of Blue Project demonstrated excellence in every category.

Advancing Conversations Around Black Maternal Mental Health

Beyond direct support services, Shades of Blue Project has become a trusted national voice in Black maternal mental health advocacy and health equity.

“Black maternal mental health is not just a personal issue. It is a public health issue, a community issue, and a justice issue.”

Through signature initiatives including Black Maternal Mental Health Week and the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, the organization continues to elevate conversations surrounding maternal mental health disparities, systemic barriers to care, and the importance of culturally responsive support systems.

At Evergreen Awards, the organization’s ability to influence both community level healing and broader national conversations played a major role in this recognition.

Workforce Training Creating Lasting Change

A major strength of Shades of Blue Project is its dedication to educating and equipping professionals through the INSPIRE Method.

Through this nationally recognized training program, providers, Healthy Start staff, doulas, advocates, and community health workers receive culturally informed and trauma responsive education that helps them better identify maternal mental health needs and provide compassionate care.

Participants consistently report stronger understanding, increased confidence, and greater ability to support families navigating maternal mental health challenges.

“This work does more than raise awareness. It gives mothers, families, and professionals the tools, language, and community needed to move from silence to support.”

The measurable educational impact of these trainings was an important consideration in Evergreen Awards’ selection process.

Innovation Through the SHARE Network App

Innovation continues to be a defining characteristic of Shades of Blue Project. The organization’s SHARE Network App was developed to help families access maternal mental health resources, support systems, educational materials, and community connections more easily during pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

“We built the SHARE Network App because families should not have to search endlessly for support while they are already carrying the weight of pregnancy, postpartum, grief, trauma, or emotional distress. Help should be accessible, culturally responsive, and easy to find.”

At Evergreen Awards, innovation is evaluated based on meaningful community impact, accessibility, and practical application. The SHARE Network App reflects the organization’s ability to combine technology with compassionate care in ways that genuinely support families.

Leadership That Continues to Inspire Communities Nationwide

Kay Matthews continues to emerge as one of the leading voices in maternal mental health advocacy through leadership rooted in honesty, resilience, compassion, and action.

“I never wanted another mother to feel as unseen, unsupported, or dismissed as I did. This work is how I honor my daughter, Troya Simone, and how I continue helping families find care, healing, and hope.”

Her leadership through Shades of Blue Project has helped create spaces where families feel acknowledged, respected, supported, and empowered while also influencing broader conversations surrounding policy, healthcare, and maternal mental health equity.

Why Evergreen Awards Selected Shades of Blue Project

The decision to honor Shades of Blue Project with the Best Maternal Mental Health Support Service in the United States of 2026 award was based on the organization’s exceptional commitment to maternal mental health support, advocacy, culturally responsive education, workforce training, innovation, and community healing.

“What makes this work powerful is that we do not separate lived experience from expertise. The voices of mothers, birthing people, and families are central to every solution we build.”

This recognition reflects not only the organization’s national reach, but also the compassion, integrity, and humanity that continue to define its mission and impact.

Looking Toward the Future

As Shades of Blue Project continues expanding its national reach through advocacy, storytelling, technology, workforce development, support services, and community centered programming, the organization remains committed to creating a future where maternal mental health care is more accessible, equitable, and responsive for all families.

“When people donate to The Shades of Blue Project, they are not just supporting an organization. They are helping us reach mothers, families, and communities with the care, resources, and advocacy they deserve.”

At Evergreen Awards, it is an honor to recognize organizations that are creating lasting change through leadership, innovation, and meaningful community impact. Shades of Blue Project continues to set a national standard for excellence in maternal mental health support services.

Learn More About Shades of Blue Project

Readers can learn more about Shades of Blue Project by visiting their official website at Shades of Blue Project, where they can explore the organization’s mission, programs, advocacy efforts, community resources, and opportunities to support maternal mental health equity. Additional updates, educational content, and community initiatives can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Families and community members seeking accessible maternal mental health support and resources can also explore the SHARE Network App.