National Black Doulas Association 
Leadership Academy®

#1 Black & BIPOC Doula Training Organization in the world

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

Hey World Changers,
 The team here at the National Black Doulas Association is incredibly honored and privileged to have been selected as your training organization of choice. We are dedicated to providing you with comprehensive trainings that will not only equip you with the necessary skills but also empower you to become a strong and impactful presence in the field of birth work. As you embark on this journey with us, we want you to know that we are here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced instructors and resources are all geared towards helping you succeed and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals you will be serving. Together, we will pave the way for a brighter future for birth.
 Let's Doula This!

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?

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. 

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

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 

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

Olivia N. Atley
Certified Instructor
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.
Tina Haris

Certified Instructor
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.
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell
NBDA® Birth Doula & Fertility Instructor 
Certified Instructor
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.
Kaila Matthews
Certified Instructor
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.
Jazzmine Brooks
Certified Instructor
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.
Teneele Bruce 
Certified Instructor
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!"
Imani Byers-Quaerterman
NBDA® Fertility & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Certified Instructor
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.
Ashley Davis

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
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.
Heather Rollinson
Certified Instructor
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.
Chanel Jones

Certified Instructor
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.
Nyasia Countee
Certified Instructor
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.

Answer the Call to Birthwork

Thank you!