Black History Month 2022: Featured Black Birth Workers/Businesses
Written by Shay Gabriel
It's Black History Month, and though we assert that Black history and dismantling white supremacy is important e v e r y single month, we will gladly assert it a little extra in February.
Representation matters, especially in birth. Black maternal and fetal health matters, especially because the American healthcare system is rooted in white supremacy. Empowered birth and the option to birth at home matters, especially for women of color.
In honor of BHM 2022, we’re featuring Black birth workers & businesses who are dedicated to providing equitable care & inspiring necessary change in the birth work field.
Brianna Trammell, birth doula
Serving Grand Rapids, MI
Website: sproutandblossomgr.com
Instagram: @sproutandblossombirth & @raising.serendipity
About Brianna:
“Bri is a DONA-trained doula who joined Sprout & Blossom in early 2021. She offers her clients doula support and beautiful birth photographs.
“After an empowering birth experience of her own, Bri was compelled to pursue doula work. She now brings her kind, smiley self and her passion for birth and the fourth trimester to each interaction with her clients. Her presence in the birth space is calming and steady, and her desire is that all birthing people have a safe and beautifully transformative experience.”
Brianna’s clients LOVE her and we are so honored that Bri is part of our team here at Sprout & Blossom Birth!
Tiffany townsend of DE LA FLOR MIDWIFERY
Founded by Grand Rapids local Tiffany Townsend
Website: delaflormidwifery.com
Instagram: @delaflormidwifery
"Birth your way. Let our team create the birth of your dreams, in the comfort of your home."
About Tiffany:
"Hi, I'm Tiffany Townsend and I am proud to say that I am the first Black CPM in West Michigan. My mother was born and raised in Dominican Republic and my father was born in the United States. As a child I was obsessed with birth and I had the luxury of having access because my Abuela (Grandmother) was an OBGYN. I am the mother of 5 amazing children, whom I love with my entire being. My personal experiences paved the way for me to become the Midwife I am today.
"If you are searching for a homebirth Midwife that posses a combination of traditional and modern skills, I’d be honored to answer any questions you may have about the services I offer. I provide care tailored to the wants and needs of each individual client. Having worked with herbs, homeopathy, moxibustion as well as western medicine, I understand that there are many approaches to care through the prenatal and postpartum period. If you have questions regarding services, please contact me."
De la Flor Midwifery x Sprout and Blossom T-Shirt Collection
We’ve designed a t-shirt collection in partnership with Tiffany Townsend of De la Flor Midwifery. All proceeds from the sales of this collection will go to De la Flor Midwifery to benefit Tiffany’s important birth work. We invite you to join Sprout & Blossom in supporting Tiffany and her work, and spreading the message that not only will we not tolerate white supremacy in birth, but we will actively work against it.
the National Association to Advance Black Birth
Website: thenaabb.org
Instagram: @the_naabb
About the NAABB:
“The National Association to Advance Black Birth is a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, support and programs that directly help black women and persons throughout the birthing process. Our work is focused on improving the birthing experience across the board, from equity and humanity in the way black women are treated throughout the birth process, to reducing mother and infant mortality, to increasing the number of black midwives and birth workers, to helping the majority community understand, identify and stop the bias and racism in the treatment of black women in healthcare settings.”
Mission:
“To combat the effects of structural racism within maternal and infant health to advance black birth outcomes.”
MAMA GLOW
Founded by Latham Thomas
Website: mamaglow.com
Instagram: @mamaglow
About Latham:
"After giving birth to her son Fulano in 2003, Latham Thomas set out on a mission to help women reclaim birth. A graduate of Columbia University & The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Latham is a maternity lifestyle maven, world renown wellness leader and master birth doula on the vanguard of transforming the wellness movement. Named one of Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul 100, Latham is bridging the gap between optimal wellness, spiritual growth, and radical self care and is the go-to-guru for modern holistic lifestyle for women."
Mamafesto:
"We at Mama Glow seek to support women at the most powerful and most vulnerable time in their lives- at the threshold of new motherhood. We hold the hands of our clients along every phase of their journey, before, during and after pregnancy, providing full spectrum service based offerings, education inspiration and advocacy. We do this in a holistic fashion, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the women who make up our community. We belive in the power and wisdom of the female body. We offer an inclusive and safe space we and welcomes and support all types of family configurations."
NATIONAL BLACK DOULAS ASSOCIATION
Website: blackdoulas.org
Instagram: @nationalblackdoulas
Mission:
"The NBDA connects Black birthing families with Black Doulas nationwide. Our overall mission at NBDA is to help fight the Black Maternal Mortality rate in this country and beyond, through educational development and empowerment.
"We provide a professional Doula Directory and resources for Black Doulas. Through continuous development opportunities, we help strengthen their Doula business infrastructure."