Like many Black doulas, I came into practice because of my lived experiences. I was harmed and traumatized by medical providers. I experienced being ignored, neglected, and not believed by my providers. I tried to find ways to support my community to prevent others from going through what I experienced. I felt called to support other Black families, but something was missing. I needed to include direct support. I needed not only to be blogging and emailing with folks. It just so happened that a friend of mine was a doula. She provided me with postpartum support after I experienced a second traumatic birth experience. And after two sessions of postpartum doula support, I realized that doula work was what I needed to be doing. Doula'ing my community is how I will make an impact and change experiences.

I founded BLKBRY (pronounced "blackberry") to fill in the gaps of what is missing in Black reproductive, perinatal, and infant health care. As a doula, I have strived to ensure that no other pregnant or birthing person experiences what I did. I also recognized that the Black community in Puget Sound needed more than just birth doula support. The work needed to be full-spectrum, including lactation and feeding support with other wrap-around services and a reclaiming of our ancestral practices. I constantly continue my education and build up my skills. I bring the knowledge and my skills back to the community. As BLKBRY expands upon the support and services provided, it's also growing in other ways.

I am so excited to share that BLKBRY has a physical space in Burien, WA. I am renovating the space to be size-friendly, accessible, and inclusive of folks with disabilities. The space is not only a tribute to my ancestors but a show of love for our community and the envisioning of a future where there isn't a Black perinatal and infant health crisis. It's filled with Black ancestral wellness and perinatal practices and Black representation throughout.

I've invested a bit more than initially planned as I started envisioning and designing what the space can and will be. I have outfitted the space with a section for no-cost nursing pump rentals, lactation and feeding supplies, and a small baby boutique (with diapers, and gently-used and new baby clothes). BLKBRY is also becoming a human milk donation site for Black families to receive no-cost donor milk. However, I do need community support to help make this happen.

I am asking for donations to help complete the design and intentions of BLKBRY's new physical space. There are a few more appliances (5cf chest freezer, air purifier and filters, etc.), client supplies (Black-centered birthing books, postpartum products, etc.), and insurance payment for the space.

Any amount helps, and the donations will help BLKBRY fulfill the goal of ensuring that Black folks and families have a safe space to come to, so they can receive the support and services they deserve.