My name is Ashley Steadham. Many of you may know me as Ash, Auntie Ash, Mama Ash etc… I am a full-spectrum birth worker and holistic health practitioner from the San Francisco Bay Area.

On December 9th, I'm due to fly to Accra, Ghana for an initiation as a Traditional Midwife under Sumi's Touch Immersion Program. This would be a continuation of the Doula training I took in back in 2020, where I was apart of the first All Black Cohort. 

As many of us were impacted by the pandemic at that time, the Part 2 Immersion was postponed. Now that things have regulated and Sumi has been able to bring back the in person immersion course, it has evolved from a Doula training, to a Traditional Midwifery training, bringing us deeper into the root of who we come from. Many generations have sacrificed for us to be here and carry on the medicine and legacy of our lineage and our villages.

Along my journey these past 5yrs, I had overcome challenges and was finally in the space to begin planning my attendance. I have been looking forward to this trip all year long and now find myself facing yet another financial setback. In full humility, I come to my community in need of some help securing my trip going forward.

This trip is more than just an investment in myself, but an investment in the collective that I serve, as this calling is one that is so very sacred.

Any way you can help whether through donation, or simply sharing with people you know, is so greatly appreciated. 

As some who has been mothering, supporting and holding space for others since I was too young to understand what it all actually meant, it is an honor to be held and supported by you all during this time.

You simply being here is the best gift I could ask for this giving season. 

Many many thanks ✨