the joy can still shine.

It is no secret that labor and birth in America—exceedingly so for Black mothers—is oft tethered to fear. Not just fear of pain, but fear of being unseen, unheard, unsafe. And while my work is inherently tied to the dismantling of harmful forces and ideologies that author this, some of my most intimate working orders are to design paths and protect spaces for the elevation of safety and joy. Because childbirth does not have to be accompanied by fear that overshadows, pain that lingers, and trauma that burrows. 

 

What has yet to be addressed in our dominate social narratives—even with the apt presence of our robust maternal health workforce—is how and why so many Black women have been discouraged and distanced from the possibility of enjoying (and feeling - this is heavy, and worth exploring) labor and birth. It is not for a lack of desire to have joy; instead, it is with disbelief that such a thing, coupled with the heralding of safety, could even be real here. A belief that if it is real, we certainly can not have both. The energy that could be garnered for lifting joyous experiences, is instead redirected toward the fight to stay alive. That is not an individual burden—it is a national failure. 

 

This is one of the reasons I am committed to the work of transforming not just what birth is like for us here on this soil, but what it feels like in the leading up to, the during, and the coming through. Because there is joy here. There is gentleness. There is triumph. There is the real possibility of crossing the threshold of birth in awe, and not in agony. Every mother carries with her, in the body of her - the memory of her lineage and the blueprint of what can be. And in the lineage of birth, joy will always be the birthright. I hold that close when I walk into a birthing space, and when I whisper words to my people. It is my honor and my mission to remind us—one mother, one family at a time—that birth gets to be beautiful. And even when the labor is hard, the joy can still shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 in Doula Advocacy 

 

- in-person or virtual -

at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church during Black Maternal Health Week on

 

 

a powerful and purposeful panel discussion on the essential work 

and necessary support of 

Black Community Doulas.

 

Kris Elle, Racquel Washington,

Venus Standard, Shonvá Millien, Iris Jones

 

Dr. Yhenneko Taylor 

The lovely Tiffany Bishop & Whitney Coble
Licensed Therapists and Founders of Raising Resilience Counseling will host

 

 

a two-day wellness experience designed to empower mothers by integrating mental well-being and physical wellness. This event provides an intentional space for self-care, movement, and connection.

 

 

 

 

 

Are you or someone you love in need of educated and empathetic doula support—without the commitment of a birth contract?

 

Book a private, virtual talk session anytime on Mondays–Thursdays 

from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM ET.

 

Whether navigating TTC, or prenatal and postnatal life—this knowing guidance is designed to support you through both common and complex journeys. Intimate partners are always welcome to attend.