BHM 2021: Featured Black Birth Businesses
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 2021, we’re featuring Black birth workers & businesses who are dedicated to providing equitable care & inspiring necessary change in the birth work field.
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 and 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.
Bump to Birth Doula Services
Founded by Grand Rapids local Kiara Baskin
Website: bumptobirthdoulaservices.com
Instagram: @bumptobirthdoula
About Kiara:
"Kiara is a national conference presenter, skilled leader, and facilitator in the realm of maternal infant health. Kiara is a Mothering Justice fellow and has received many acknowledgements for her work and service with Healthy Start and Bump to Birth including a feature by GR Kids as one of the top recommended doulas for 2019. She has a deep commitment to serving all birthing people especially women of color in which her knowledge and support of these families address persistent racial and social disparities."
Mission:
"Bump to Birth Doula Services is supporting families in the greater Grand Rapids area in every aspect of preparing for pregnancy, birth, and beyond. We provide comprehensive support and education needed for expanding families."
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."
Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings
Founded by Sabia Wade
Website: birthingadvocacy.thinkific.com
Instagram: @birthingadvocacy
About Sabia:
"Sabia (she/her) is a Radical Doula, Educator, Doula Business Coach, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (in training), and Reproductive Justice Advocate. She founded Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings in 2019 with the goal of bringing necessary education to doulas that are seeking to go beyond the traditional doula role and into advocacy work for the communities that need them."
Mission:
"Birthing Advocacy Doula Training’s courses are socially conscious, culturally appropriate, diverse, and action-oriented. We not only train our students to serve their clients using the best practices available, we also provide them with a wide perspective of disparities, inequalities, policies and rights, and prepare them to be active partners in the movement to change birth and reproductive health culture locally, nationally and globally."
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."
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Website: blackmamasmatter.org
Instagram: @blackmamasmatter
About:
“The Black Mamas Matter Alliance was sparked by a partnership project between the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (SisterSong) that began in 2013. The two organizations collaborated on story collection on the obstacles that Southern Black women face in accessing maternal health care, leading to poor maternal health outcomes and persistent racial disparities. These findings were included in a joint report – “Reproductive Injustice: Gender and Racial Discrimination in U.S. Health Care” – submitted to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).”
Vision:
“We envision a world where Black mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.”
Mission:
“Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. We center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.”