Find Your Mentor
Please Note The NBDA® Mentors facilitate their own mentorship programs. No payments are made to the NBDA®.
Are you seeking guidance? Meet our NBDA® Approved Doulas. They have thriving Doula practices and collectively, they have supported hundreds of families.
Meet Daneé
Daneé is the proud owner of My Sweet Cadence Doula Services, serving families in the Cleveland, OH area. Inspired by her own journey through pregnancy, loss, and birth, she found her calling in birth work as a way to empower and uplift others. She is a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula and a skilled Placenta Encapsulator, providing compassionate and personalized care to every family she supports. With a mission to educate and empower, Daneé walks alongside families through their pregnancy journey, offering guidance, support, and advocacy. As a passionate trainer and mentor, she is committed to equipping aspiring doulas with the knowledge and skills they need to create meaningful change in the birthing community, fostering empowerment and equity in maternal care.
Meet Ashley
Ashley is passionate about the needs and goals of her clients, and specialize in bringing peace of mind to her families. Ashley Davis is trusted and epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work and creative services. ashley is a Mother of 4 beautiful Children 3 sons and 1 daughter. After the births of Ashley's three sons (Aidan, Alexander & Andrew) she had an, epiphany which gave birth to a transformative life experience.Helping expectant parents navigate pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding after the birth of her first son has been her passion. With over a decade of experience in customer service and birth support she transitioned to working hands-on and serving families as a Full Spectrum Doula. She calmly and confidently guide expectant parents and new doulas on their beautiful Journey's.
Meet Jazzmine
I am Jazzmine "Rural Black Doula" Brooks (She/Her/They), a full-spectrum doula and somatic yoga instructor based in Central Iowa. I offer services throughout the Midwest, Caribbean, and West Coast, with options for travel and virtual support. My vibrant approach is rooted in culture and community, bringing a wealth of knowledge as a full-service doula who has developed collaborative Title V doula programs for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. As a mentor, I empower aspiring doulas and birthworkers with the tools to support families authentically and inclusively while prioritizing self-care. As a Certified Trainer with the National Black Doula Association, I train birthworkers to create connections, amplify voices, and transform the perinatal and reproductive care landscape for diverse communities and beyond.
Meet Heather
Heather Rollinson is the Founder and CEO of In My Mother’s Womb LLC, a resource hub supporting birthing families spiritually, mentally, and physically. After facing challenges with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the loss of her mother, and dismissive treatment during her miscarriage, Heather committed to transforming women and families through wellness. With a background in education, policy, and product development, she influences policy changes, supports minority business owners, and engages in community activism. Her leadership experience includes roles with The Florida State Senate, Healthy Start Coalition, and Duval County Public Schools, where she advised teen moms. Currently, she serves as Director for FOBT Pipeline Inc. and leads community outreach for Jones and Rose Skincare. Heather is also pursuing a Certified Nurse Midwife degree at Jacksonville University while educating and empowering doulas. She is dedicated to supporting underserved communities in maternal health, honoring her late mother’s legacy as a healthcare advocate.
Meet Chanel
Chanel is the founder of Chanel’s Comforting Doula Care, providing birthing and labor support as well as childbirth education services since 2018. She received her doula certification through the Long Island Doula Association (LIDA) and is actively involved with the Black Maternity Wellness Collective (BMWC) and the Community Support Fund (CSF). Chanel briefly worked as a birthing assistant with One Love Midwifery and holds certifications in Birth Emergency Skills Training (BEST) and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). As a maternal mental health advocate for the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, she was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2023. Chanel also participates in various initiatives, including the BFREE initiative and the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. A dedicated single mother to her 16-year-old daughter, she is passionate about improving maternal healthcare outcomes and training the next generation of empowered doulas.
Meet Nyasia
Nyasia Countee is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), full-spectrum doula, and Evidence-Based Birth® Instructor specializing in high-risk pregnancies and surgical births. With a deep passion for improving maternal health outcomes, Nyasia offers compassionate, evidence-based care to families navigating complex pregnancies and birth experiences. She is committed to empowering the next generation of Black birth professionals through her work with the National Black Doula Association, where she trains aspiring doulas to become effective advocates for maternal and infant health. Nyasia believes in the importance of culturally competent care and strives to transform the healthcare landscape for families of color. Her dedication to education and mentorship ensures that future leaders in the field are well-equipped to provide the support and guidance that families need during their birthing journeys.
Meet Olivia
Hello! My name is Olivia N. Atley, the DoulaBÿ. I joyfully serve as a Full Spectrum Doula in Central Ohio, collaborating with many courageous women in the area. I have trained with several organizations, including the National Black Doulas Association®. My mission is to provide high-quality, mindful, and inclusive birthing support to new and expecting families at every stage of their journey to welcome new life into the world. I am dedicated to ensuring that every family feels supported and empowered throughout their experience. I look forward to bringing this same energy to each doula training I lead and to the doulas I mentor, empowering them to create a positive impact in their communities and transform the birthing experience for those they serve.
Meet Christina
My name is Tina Harris (She/Her), and I’m a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Birth and Bereavement Doula based in Atlanta, Georgia. For over five years, I’ve worked in maternal health, helping birthing families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I have had the privilege of training and mentoring birth workers, equipping them with the tools and confidence to create meaningful changes in their clients’ lives. My passion lies in breaking down barriers to care and ensuring that Black birthing families receive the support they need and deserve. As a trainer and mentor with the National Black Doulas Association, I am honored to be part of this movement to uplift our communities and transform the way we approach birth.
Meet Teneele
Teneele Bruce is a Jersey girl living in a Maryland world, serving as a Maternal Health Coordinator and birth doula in the DMV area. She has led qualitative research to understand patient experiences giving birth in Baltimore City hospitals, contributing to quality improvement in maternity care. With over 7 years of experience in maternal and child health, Teneele has worked in community birth, nonprofit leadership, and policy focused on birth equity and reproductive health. She advocates for diversifying community birth work and midwifery to make maternity care more culturally congruent and address social determinants affecting birth outcomes for Black women and families. Teneele holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's in Biomedical Science. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, collecting vinyl, traveling, and spending time with family. Ask her, and she'll say, "There's a book, song, or tea for everything!"
Meet Michelle
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, PhD, CD, CBE and DFB
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, PhD, CD, CBE, and DFB, is the founder of Baby, Please Birth Services Agency LLC™, serving NJ, NY, PA, MD, FL, and GA with a team of over 20 doulas. She is a thrice-certified Birth Doula (Bradley, NBDA, DONA), a certified Fertility and Postpartum Doula, and a Childbirth Educator teaching the Bradley Method® and her own BPBS Holistic Childbirth Course. As a Certified Lactation Educator with CAPPA, she supports breastfeeding and recently became a certified instructor for Dancing for Birth®. Michelle is also a National Black Doula Association Licensed Doula Instructor and Board Chairperson of The Perinatal Health Equity Initiative. Since 2005, she has assisted over 530 families, trained 350+ birth professionals, and empowered 2300+ families as a childbirth educator.
Meet Kaila
Kaila Matthews is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, a wife, and a mother of two. With over 10 years of experience as an educator, she is the owner of WhatTheDoula, LLC. As a certified Doula, Kaila raises awareness about maternal healthcare, focusing on minority women and their unique birthing experiences through Birth, Postpartum, and Lactation support. She is also a certified yoga instructor, using her knowledge of movement and breath to help birthing people relax and manage pain effectively. Currently a student Midwife, Kaila has certified and cross-trained to enhance her skills in both medical and non-medical aspects of birth. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring local college students, making custom hair bows, and taking dance classes to stay fit and active.
Meet Imani
Imani is a holistic full-spectrum doula and clinical therapist based in Atlanta, GA. She is the founder of Rebyrth Wellness and co-founder of Your Rebyrth Tribe Doula Agency. Since 2020, Imani has assisted over 95 births and counting, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice. She is trained in Childbirth Education, Peristeaming, and Traditional Mexican Sobada, enhancing her holistic approach to maternal care. As a Honeybook Educator, she excels in systems management and integration, helping streamline processes for her clients. Imani's deepest passions in birthwork are intertwined with mental health, fertility, and both birth and postpartum wellness. She is dedicated to empowering families through their journeys, ensuring they feel supported and informed every step of the way.
Meet Adrianne
As a Doula Mentor with the National Black Doulas Association (NBDA), I provide guidance and mentorship to aspiring doulas seeking certification. With over 16 years of experience as an educator in low-income communities, I have always been dedicated to supporting families, and now I am extending that commitment to birthing families during their most vulnerable moments. Having supported births for three years and facilitated workshops for labor and delivery nurses on collaborating with doulas, I am passionate about advancing Black maternal health. My contributions to the NBDA include supporting team initiatives, offering educational resources, and raising awareness about the organization to ensure doulas know they have a community of support. I am driven to empower doulas to serve with confidence and advocate for the well-being of Black families throughout the birthing process.
Meet Brandi
My name is Brandi Gowder, a Certified Birth Doula, Mentor, and Ambassador for the National Black Doula Association, as well as the CEO of Smiley Bee Love in Chicago, Illinois. I provide compassionate support to birthing parents during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, creating a safe, non-judgmental space for every family.
Inspired by my own experiences as a mother of three and navigating traumatic hospital births, I recognized the need for advocacy in birth work. Through Smiley Bee Love, I empower birthing parents and their Villages with knowledge to advocate for themselves and explore all birthing options.
I also educate the Village on nurturing the Mother during this sacred time, fostering stronger communities. I proudly serve diverse families, including LGBTQ+ parents and those facing high-risk pregnancies, dedicated to reshaping birth experiences centered on safety, love, and respect.
Meet Brandie
I'm Brandie Bishop (She/Her), a passionate and courageous advocate for families during their most vulnerable times. Proudly raised in Inkster, Michigan, I now call Georgia home. My journey began at 14, working at a homeless center and launching my first business. I earned a degree in Family Child Development, focusing on supporting pregnant refugee women, which reshaped my understanding of pregnancy and postpartum experiences.
With nearly a decade of experience, I've supported over 150 families from 45 countries as a Birth Work Professional. As the Owner and CEO of the National Black Doulas Association, I’m dedicated to empowering BIOPC Births and Birth Work Businesses while striving to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate in our country. Let’s connect and create change together!
NBDA® Mentorship Policy
To adequately streamline new NBDA® trainees in their certification process, it is required that you only work with NBDA® Approved Mentors. Outside mentors will no longer be acceptable.
The NBDA® Mentors are not only vetted and approved the NBDA®. It is proven that they are pillars in their respective communities and have effectively embedded a successful business infrastructure to support that and others in their mentorship training program.
Trainees/Mentees are responsible for all fees associated with said mentorship, privately established and paid directly to their selected mentor.
Mentorship should be established after your NBDA® Doula Training is completed.
You are required to work with your NBDA® Approved Mentors for a minimum of three months. Upon completion of meeting all certification requirements, when you submit all of your certification documents to the NBDA®, your mentor will be contacted directly by us, providing a report of your time in their mentorship program.
You are required to have the basic knowledge and understanding of basic Birth Business Operations, Birth Physiology, Postpartum Dangers, and Marketing, Advertising and networking.
When NBDA® mentees seek certification, Mentors will be sent a Google Form to verify those mentioned above.
Once it has been established that mentorship has been successfully completed without lapse or malice and all Doula attended documents are completed and submitted to our office at hello@blackdoulas.org, NBDA® Certification will be approved and issued within fifteen business days.
A two-year Doula Certification Renewal is required to maintain your valid NBDA® Doula Certification.