Grieving father fundraises to lift burden, advocate for Black maternal health after fiancé’s death

Jose Perez, a Bed-Stuy father whose fiancé died in childbirth, has launched an online fundraiser in her honor. Photo courtesy of Jose Perez Sign up for our Brooklyn Paper email newsletter to get news, updates, and local insights delivered straight to your inbox! A Bed-Stuy father whose fiancé died while giving birth at Woodhull Hospital is fundraising to help his family financially — and to honor his late loved one’s legacy by supporting Black maternal health initiatives. Jose Perez, who lost his partner last November, launched a campaign called “Justice for Christine Fields” earlier this month and has since raised $1,020 toward a $10,000 goal. He said proceeds will be split between making up for Perez’s lost wages since becoming a full-time caregiver, therapy for the children as they struggle with losing their mom and supporting the family’s efforts in fighting the systems that led to Fields’ death.  Perez spent the weeks following Fields’ death calling out the health organization for mishandling his wife’s birth plan and neglecting his family in their time of grieving. He says the already emotional experience was only made harder when the hospital pushed back against Perez’ custody of his newborn. Since Fields died before...