Our NBDA® Ambassadors
Program Overview:
The NBDA Doula Ambassador Program is a year-long initiative that empowers Black doulas to champion Black maternal health, foster community connections, and advocate for systemic change. Ambassadors play a pivotal role in promoting NBDA’s mission through public outreach, community engagement, and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing disparities in maternal care for Black and Brown families.
Each ambassador receives tools, resources, and training to support their communities, spread awareness, and create meaningful impact within the Black birthing space. Together, our ambassadors embody NBDA’s vision of birthing justice and equitable care for all.
Meet Yolanda
Yolanda Walker, NBDA®-CD (Certified Birth Doula), specializes in birth and postpartum care, focusing on supporting families during the early months of infancy. With over 20 years of experience and a passion for helping women thrive, she offers overnight assistance to ensure parents get restful sleep. Born and raised in Chicago, Yolanda received her doula training from the National Black Doula Association and is a mother of five. She believes that birth is a sacred process requiring courage and strength, and she aims to empower families during this vulnerable time. Her compassionate approach fosters beautiful partnerships. Outside of her work, Yolanda enjoys spending time with her adult children and grandchildren, traveling, reading, and exploring new restaurants. She also serves on the DEI committee in healthcare, advocating for meaningful education to improve patient care.
Meet Charity
Charity “Kisa” Tyus is a full-spectrum doula, master yogi, and community organizer based in Joshua Tree, California. With a deep passion for holistic care, she offers prenatal yoga, massage, and education alongside her birth and postpartum support. Kisa’s approach focuses on creating warm, personalized experiences that honor each family's unique journey. As an ambassador for the National Black Doula Association, she advocates for Black maternal health equity, mentors aspiring doulas, and strives to ensure culturally aware care is accessible to all. Her work emphasizes building trust, fostering connection, and empowering families to feel confident and cared for throughout their journey. Kisa believes that every family deserves support that respects their individual needs and experiences, making her a dedicated advocate for holistic and inclusive care.
Meet Tonya
Hi! I’m Tonya, a seasoned healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. My diverse background includes roles as a CNA, Medical Assistant, and EKG Tech. As a Birth and Postpartum Doula, I provide essential support and guidance to mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Additionally, I am a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, helping new moms experience the potential benefits of consuming their placenta after birth. My passion for assisting others through the journey of motherhood makes me a valuable resource for families seeking compassionate care. I believe in empowering mothers with the knowledge and support they need to thrive during this transformative time. My goal is to ensure that every family feels confident and cared for as they navigate the beautiful experience of parenthood.
Meet Simone
Simone Mariposa is an LA native and Atlanta-based content creator, second-generation full-spectrum doula, actor, host, and body liberation activist. Since 2015, she has built an audience of over 200,000 across social media, sharing content that inspires self-love, empowerment, and authenticity. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Essence, Nylon, Teen Vogue, and Refinery29. With a lifelong fascination for pregnancy and birth, Simone became a doula, completing her training in 2020 at Kindred Space LA, a Black-owned midwifery clinic. She also graduated from the AAIMM Doula Mentorship Program, enhancing her commitment to advocacy and empathetic care. In addition to her doula work, Simone co-hosts the Fly Talks Podcast and performs at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, passionately advocating for positive representation of plus-size individuals and often-overlooked demographics..
Meet Abriana
Abriana Kimbrough known as Abri Sunshine is a proud native of Winston-Salem, NC, and is the founder and principal doula at Love and Wisdom, a practice rooted in plant medicine and spirituality to affirm women and girls across the womanhood continuum. She has been a CAPPA-trained doula since 2019 and recently studied with Mamatoto Village to become a lactation specialist. She serves clients in both the DMV and North Carolina. Abri’s calling to birth work began long before her training and her favorite part of birth is the sacred moment when mothers welcome their babies earthside.She is a member of the National Black Doulas Association, where she values the network of expert doulas and the shared commitment to birth equity. Alongside her work with Love and Wisdom, Abri is a dedicated women’s advocate and balances her birth work with her full-time role in philanthropy at the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
Meet I’man
Iman Boykin, owner of Sacred Beginnings, is a sacred full-spectrum birth keeper with over a decade of experience. Feeling called to this work since childhood, she dedicates her life to transforming the birthing experience with love and empowerment. Starting her parenting journey at 18, Iman especially supports young mothers and emphasizes the importance of fathers in the birthing process, viewing birth work as a form of ancestral healing. Alongside her partner, she founded "Nurturing Love Seeds," a nonprofit that serves the community through gardening, seed distribution, and birth services. As an energy healer and medicine woman, Iman advocates for community wellness, reminding individuals of their inherent greatness. Together, they run Anahata Wholeness, an online wellness store focused on reconnecting with the land and ancestral wisdom while promoting holistic health and love.
Meet Diona
Diona Woods is a trained birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and maternal health advocate serving Ventura and Los Angeles County. A proud veteran and native New Yorker, she brings extensive healthcare expertise, including an MBA in Healthcare, to her work. Through Roots to Rhythm Maternal Services, her approach is rooted in inclusivity and evidence-based support, ensuring every family feels nurtured, confident, and valued—creating a strong foundation for families to thrive. As an ambassador for the National Black Doula Association, Diona is committed to advancing Black maternal health and championing equitable, culturally aware practices.
Meet Jasmine
Welcome! I am a birth and postpartum doula dedicated to supporting the Black and Brown community. With my background as a doula and experienced nurse, I offer a unique blend of medical expertise and holistic, culturally sensitive care. I believe every family deserves a nurturing and safe birth experience. My mission is to provide compassionate support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. As a Black woman who has faced high-risk pregnancies, I am passionate about ensuring families have a positive experience. I also provide postpartum care, including lactation support and guidance, to help families transition smoothly into parenthood. Let’s connect and create a beautiful birth story together!