Meet Your Instructors

CEO & Founder, NBDA® Leadership Academy
Tracie Collins®
In 2002 Tracie completed Elizabeth Davis' Heart 'N' Hands Midwifery Incentives Program. Upon completion, Tracie was the only student from that class to be selected as an Apprentice Midwife for Sacred Body Midwifery in San Francisco. After her apprenticeship, she worked as a midwife with Sacred Grove Midwifery alongside Asatu Hall.
Tracie comes with an extremely high level of demand, regard, experience, and longevity in the birthing field. She has worked for over two decades in many settings to empower and provide expectant families with the best support possible.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Ashley E. Davis
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.

NBDA® Birth Doula Instructor
Dr. Juan Michelle Martin
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.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, Ph.D

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Rae Johnson-Bundy

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Akilah V. Witherspoon

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Brandie Bishop
These women taught me more than I could ever put in words and ignited my passion for birth work. I have been supporting the births of black, brown, and refugee families for about 7 years now. With my baby girl Joy, who is now a Sophomore in college, as my biggest cheerleader. Her support and encouragement mean the world to me. I thank the Lord for this journey and every lesson that has come.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Rafeal Newport

NBDA® Birth, Postpartum Doula & Placenta Encapsulator Instructor
Leah Hairston
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.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Rae Johnson-Bundy

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Ashley E. Davis
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.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Akilah V. Witherspoon

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, Ph.D

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Rafeal Newport

NBDA® Birth, Postpartum Doula & Placenta Encapsulator Instructor
Leah Hairston
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.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Rafeal Newport

NBDA® Birth Doula Instructor
Dr. Juan Michelle Martin
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.
Instructor(s)

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Ashley E. Davis
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.

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Michelle Gabriel-Caldwell, Ph.D

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Akilah V. Witherspoon

NBDA® Birth & Postpartum Doula Instructor
Ashley E. Davis
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.

NBDA® Birth, Postpartum Doula & Placenta Encapsulator Instructor
Leah Hairston
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.