National Black Doulas Association Leadership Academy®
Mission
The National Black Doulas Association is equipping Black and BIPOC birth workers and families to combat the alarming rates of black maternal mortality and morbidity, through our comprehensive directory and elite trainings
We provide a professional Doula Directory and resources for Black Doulas. Through continuous development opportunities, we help strengthen their Doula business infrastructure.
Welcome From Our CEO
Frequently Asked Questions
What formats are the NBDA® Doula trainings offered in?
The National Black Doulas Association currently has the following Doula Trainings formats.
Weekend Trainings:
3 days trainings
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
9am-5pm Eastern Standard Time
Extended trainings:
4-6 weeks
1 night per week
3-4 hours each session
Formats:
Virtual
In-Person
Hybrid
The training format will be noted in the title of the training.
What Doula trainings are offered by the NBDA® ?
The National Black Doulas Association currently has the following Doula Trainings.
Holistic Fertility Doula- Certificate of completion offered
Birth Doula- Certification Process Eligible
Postpartum Doula- Certification Process Eligible
Placenta Encapsulation- Certification Process Eligible
Sex and Intimacy Doula- Certification Process Eligible
Trainings Coming Soon!
Bereavement and Infant Loss
Sibling Doula Care
Child Birth Educator
Where can I find more information regarding all NBDA® Curriculum?
For more information regarding all NBDA®Curriculum click HERE
Where can I view the Certification Process and Requirements?
Where can I view the list of Approved NBDA Mentors?
List of Approved NBDA® Mentors
Do you offer payment plans for trainings?
We offer payment plans for all NBDA® training courses. Please keep in mind all in house payment plan options lessen the closer to the training date.
We also have payment plan options available with AfterPay and Klarna.
All payment plan options can be viewed by selecting a training and viewing the checkout screen.
We also have payment plan options available with AfterPay and Klarna.
All payment plan options can be viewed by selecting a training and viewing the checkout screen.
Are there refunds offered for Trainings or Doula Memberships?
There are NO REFUNDS issued for Trainings or Doula Memberships.
When is the exact address emailed to trainees for in person trainings?
For In Person and Hybrid trainings the address for the exact location is given the Monday before training.
If you need the approximate location for travel arrangements contact your trainer or email us at Hello@blackdoulas.org
If you need the approximate location for travel arrangements contact your trainer or email us at Hello@blackdoulas.org
What happens if I cannot attend a training?
If you are unable to attend a training please contact us at Hello@blackdoulas.org, you have the option to reschedule for a later date within 1-year of signing up.
Where can I find the Certification Survey Links?
How do I reschedule a training using my credit?
Contact us directly at Hello@blackdoulas.org with your receipt of purchase, and the new selected training that you would like your credit to go towards.
How do I become a member of the NBDA®?
Welcome Home! Join HERE
How do I cancel my Doula Membership?
Go into your profile and cancel your membership at anytime. Our system is designed to send out upcoming payment notifications in advance of fees due.
What is the process for Recertification?
All NBDA® certifications are in good standing for 2 years.
The process of Recertification can be found HERE
The process of Recertification can be found HERE
Can I Cross Train with the NBDA® if I have certified with another organization?
Yes! We welcome you to train with us. Please find Information HERE
Meet Our Instructors
Brandie Bishop
NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Certified Instructor
Brandie Bishop (She/Her), considers herself to be a very passionate, humors, and courageous person, dedicating her life to serving families during their most vulnerable times. Proud to have been born and raised in Inkster, Michigan, but now calls Georgia home sweet home.
Over the course of nearly 13 years, she has supported the births of over 150 families from nearly 45 different countries. As a Birth Work Professional, she has used her passion for birthing and postpartum persons to provide the best possible support during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Additionally, as a Mentor and Instructor, she has fallen in love with training the birth workers tomorrow to be the change they want to see in the world.
Now, as the Owner and CEO of the National Black Doulas Association, my ultimate goal is to see BIOPC Births and Birth Work Businesses Whole and Thriving, and the Maternal Mortality Rate in our country radically changed.
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell
NBDA® Birth Doula & Fertility Instructor
Certified Instructor
Michelle is the owner of Baby, Please Birth Services located in NJ. She is a certified Doula and certified Childbirth Educator teaching the Bradley Method :registered:, Evidence Based Birth :registered: and her own Holistic Course expressly for The Birth Center of NJ of which she is also the Doula Coordinator. She currently holds an advisory position on the board of The National Black Doulas Association and is one of their doula mentors. Michelle is an advocate for Poppy Seed Health :registered: where she assists birthing persons virtually. She holds over 15 years of experience in the birth industry; helping over 400 families navigate their birthing spaces, training and mentoring birth professionals and medical staff while ensuring birth justice through state and national initiatives. She serves on non-profit boards and panels. Enhances the platform of black birthing in the USA through blogs and podcasts. Michelle empowers others by offering education, support, and advocacy. She holds degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Presently works full-time for a German Based chemical company.
Leah Hairston
NBDA® Birth, Postpartum, Placenta and Fertility Doula Certified Instructor
Certified Instructor
Leah Hairston is on a mission to educate and empower Black women with female
reproductive systems. As an executive leader, social worker, and full-spectrum doula, she
facilitates spaces for healing, equitable access, and justice, reminding women of their inherent
power when navigating reproductive wellness experiences.<br><br>
A perpetual student, Leah earned both a BA and BS from Howard University, a master's from
Columbia University, and has completed training with Ancient Song Doula Services, Steamy
Chick, Brilliant Birth Academy, and Lactation Education Resources. She infuses her work with
justice-focused, trauma-informed, family-centered perspectives to give each client and student
the personalized care they inherently deserve.
Kalia Matthews
NBDA® Certified Birth and Postpartum Instructor
Certified Instructor
Kaila Matthews is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, wife, mother of 2, 10+ year educator, and owner of WhatTheDoula, LLC. As a certified Doula, she increases awareness amongst women about maternal healthcare and targets minority women and their unique birthing experience through Birth, Postpartum, and Lactation support. She is a certified yoga instructor and uses her knowledge of movement and breath to help birthing people relax and meet pain in a manageable way. Kaila has certified and cross-trained to grow her skill set and ability to support the medical and non-medical side of birth as she bridges into Midwifery as a current student Midwife. Kaila enjoys mentoring local college students, making custom hairbows, and taking local dance classes to stay fit!
Juan Michelle Martin
NBDA® Birth & Sex Doula/Intimacy Coach, Instructor
Certified Instructor
She is a licensed physical therapist, birth doula and women's wellness coach. She is the owner of JMM Health Solutions, a concierge pelvic health practice in the Atlanta Metro area where she brings over 13 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist. A former international volleyball player, her career in healthcare began as an athletic trainer guiding athletes in their recovery from injury and transition back to playing at New York Institute of Technology where she also graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Martin has worked with thousands of patients in her career with a focus on providing holistic and comprehensive pelvic health care. She blends her experience as a birth doula and wellness coach in her practice to ensure that women experience better birth outcomes and she continues to work with several non profits whose mission is to decrease maternal mortality rates in marginalized communities.
Tiannah Osinyinbi
NBDA® Placenta Encapsulation Doula Certified Instructor
Certified Instructor
Hi! My name is Tianna Swain and I am your placenta encapsulation specialist, Mom of 4 and also a Birth/postpartum doula. In my spare time I enjoy reading, brunching , traveling and spending time with my loved ones. I’ve always known I wanted to work within the birthing community and I can’t wait to work with all of you!
Imani Byers-Quaerterman
NBDA® Fertility & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Certified Instructor
Imani is holistic full spectrum doula and clinical therapist based in Atlanta, GA. She is the founder of Rebyrth Wellness and the co-founder of Your Rebyrth Tribe Doula Agency. Since 2020, she has assisted over 95 births and counting. She also has training in Childbirth Education, Peristeaming, and Traditional Mexican Sobada. She is a Honeybook Educator and is an expert at systems management and integration. Her deepest passions in birthwork are intertwined with mental health, fertility, birth and postpartum wellness.
Ashley Davis
NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Certified Instructor
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.
Danee Haynes
NBDA® Birth Doula Certified Instructor
Certified Instructor
My name is Daneé and I am the owner of My Sweet Cadence Doula Services, currently serving the Cleveland, OH area. My love for serving others and strong urge from my own experiences of pregnancy, loss and birth encouraged me to follow my heart’s desire of birth work. I am certified birth and postpartum doula as well as a Placenta Encapsulator. My goal is to empower, support and educate those who are in their pregnancy journey, and to equip those who want to contribute to being the change that we so desperately need in the BIPOC birthing community.
Akilah. V. Witherspoon
NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Certified Instructor
The only daughter of a teacher, Akilah was born into a life of education. From a young age, she has been trained two years in high school, Akilah decided that she WAS NOT going to be a teacher when she grew up. Little did she know, life had different plans for her. Today she "teaches" families about how to prepare for birth and postpartum and to understand the physical process of labor.
She also trains new doulas seeking certification
and professional development. Ms. Witherspoon has a background in biology and earned her bachelors from Howard University. After graduation, she worked as a research assistant studying Uterine Fibroids. During her time working on that project, she discovered a need to focus on women's reproductive health, but it was the
birth of her daughter that truly started her on her
journey towards becoming a doula. After working in the field for some time as a Perinatal Community Health Worker and home visitor, she has learned more about what families need in order to thrive during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. As a Full Spectrum Doula and
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), she teaches what she has learned over the years so that more families can have positive birth outcomes.
Kalisha King
NBDA® Birth Doula Certified Instructor
Certified Instructor
Kalisha (Kali) King is a dedicated seasoned Doula with decades of experience in and around the birth world. Kali brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the birthing experience and has a profound commitment to strengthening mothers on their journey to childbirth. As a former EMT Kali’s background in emergency care has
equipped her with invaluable skills and knowledge that enhance her ability to provide unwavering support during the miraculous process of childbirth.
Being a wife and mother of 6 children and a grandmother of 4 has further deepened her understanding of the intricacies of family dynamics and the profound impact of childbirth
on the entire household. Since 2019, Kali has been serving the DMV area with commitment and passion to ensure that every birthing mother makes it home to their families by offering emotional support, advocacy, and a calming presence.
As a Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor, Kali is willing and able to teach all new parents and new doulas.
Answer the Call to Birthwork
4775 Jimmy Carter Blvd, #300 Norcross, GA
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