Black Perinatal Resources

Professional Lactation Support

Breastfeeding Peer Support

  • Blackity Black Lactation Supporter Directory
  • La Leche League of Durham This is a local chapter of the international organization, La Leche League, which provides peer-to-peer breastfeeding support. They offer monthly meetings and individual support for breastfeeding mothers. Text Jahmekya (573)397-1101 or Carlita (912)856-7948. LLL supports all breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding families, inclusive of their race, ethnicity, immigration status, national origin, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, family structure, primary language, ability, or socio-economic status
  • MAAME All Doulas certified peer to peer LC: Specializes in supporting Black Birthing People (919) 709-3120, Sliding Scale
  • Milky Mamas Breastfeeding Support – Facebook
  • Stephanie Whitaker Amekuedi LLL USA Leader available for peer lactation support. *Coming Soon* Will be hosting virtual monthly LLL meetings with topics specific for Black breastfeeding Mamas, and will hold in person LLL meeting in the triangle area (one per month) open to the public starting June 2023

Advocacy and Education

  • Black Breastfeeding 360 A blog run by Kimberly Sears Allers with a resource library and articles archive on breastfeeding and parenting geared toward Black families.
  • Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association’s goal is to have a national impact on the reduction of racial disparities in breastfeeding success for black families. BMBFA’s mission is to reduce racial inequities in breastfeeding support for black families. 
  • Breastfeed Durham  A health equity advocacy group located in Durham North Carolina. Black Maternal Health Team
  • MAAME (Mobilizing African American Mothers through Empowerment) Maya Jackson. MAAME provides birth and postpartum support, breastfeeding education, classes, and supplies on a sliding scale. Needs are determined by completing an intake form. 
  • The Renee  Whitney Robinson(Founder), created the Support! Black Maternal Health Efforts Directory

Community Support

  • Care Fund – Sister Song The fund covers costs of prenatal, labor, and postpartum support, and other essential items, such as diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, and breast pumps.
  • Diapers for Black Durham Providing free diapers, wipes & lactation support for Black families in Durham, NC
  • Durham Mocha Moms (Networking Group) Co-President Taryn Beachler and Ca’Lecia Fleming, A support network for moms in Durham and the Triangle
  • Equity Before Birth A mission to save the lives of Black birthing people and their infants and improve health outcomes by increasing access to critical services and support.
  • Faithfully Fertile Foundation Supporting people that are starting their families through reproductive assistance and adoption. We hold a virtual support group meeting the last Sunday of each month at 7pm EST via Zoom for people dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss. 
  • Nourish & Thrive A 501c3 Non-Profit, Nourish & Thrive is an equity focused nonprofit dedicated to minimizing barriers that contribute to the low percentages of Black birthing people successfully or continually breastfeeding. Our mission is to provide access to lactation support, increase representation in the lactation field, and normalize/destigmatize breastfeeding in the Black community by focusing on social media campaigns. info@nourishandthrivemilk.org
  • Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere  Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), Inc. seeks to enhance, encourage, support, promote, and protect breastfeeding throughout the USA, by working to reduce the breastfeeding disparities among African American women, and to strengthen the health of their babies and families through, mentoring, training, breastfeeding support groups, social support, outreach, education, legislation, health policies, and social marketing.
  • Spirit House SpiritHouse uses culture, art and media to support the empowerment and transformation of communities most impacted by poverty, racism, gender inequity, criminalization and mass incarceration; through grassroots programs, cultural organizing and community collaborations.
  • Village of Wisdom Organizing work with Black families includes both building families capacity to navigate and cope with racial bias and build community connections and advocacy skills.

Doulas

  • Andora Pyatt, Start of Life (984) 208-6034 Prenatal, Virtual & Postpartum Support, affordable doula services for underserved communities
  • Briana  Smith, Birth and Beyond, Inc Birth & Postpartum Doula, Sibling & Family Doula, Childbirth & Early Parenting Educator, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and Human Lactation student: www.birthandbeyonddoulas.com
  • Joy Lumpkin Foster Doula, wellness equity advocate joy@endayo.com
  • June Eric-Udorie An independent Durham birth doula. Doula services are prioritized for free for low-income, people of color (POC), differently abled individuals, single-parent, and LGBTQ+ families.
  • Luna Rise Birth, LLC Ameerah Stephanie Diaz Rodriguez at. Trained and certified; herbalist, fertility, birth, postpartum, and bereavement Doula.Lunabirthrise@gmail.com 
  • MAAME  Provide doula care at no cost to low cost to  pregnant individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford doula services. We support individuals who are eligible for programs like presumptive Medicaid, Medicaid, or WIC based on their family income and those experiencing other barriers to care.
  • Melanie Patrick Birthing While Black Fund (919) 864-8361, Mothers of color fund to support mothers with doula; lactation support after birth.
  • Sierra Bizzell IBCLC, Beautiful Beginnings Doula Services,CD(DONA) Provides prenatal support, lactation education and support, and birth doula services. Send an sierra.beautifulbeginnings@gmail.com if you have questions or need support. 
  • Triangle Doulas of Color Pre & postpartum support. (540) 267-5400 triangledoulasofcolor@gmail.com Facebook

Maternal Fetal Medicine Provider

  • Maria Small Maternal fetal medicine provider, Duke Hospital Maternal fetal medicine provider, Duke Hospital
  • Sarahn Wheeler Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist,Duke Health Provider, Areas of Expertise: High Risk Pregnancy Care,Labor and Delivery, Preterm Labor and Preterm, Birth Prevention, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Please note Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists are experts in managing high-risk pregnancies, particularly those involving complex medical conditions, multiple gestations (twins, triplets, or more), fetal abnormalities, and other complications. They use a variety of diagnostic tools and techniques, including ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), to evaluate the health of the mother and fetus and to monitor fetal development. MFM specialists work closely with a team of healthcare providers, including obstetricians, neonatologists, genetic counselors, and other specialists, to provide comprehensive care for high-risk pregnancies. They may also provide preconception counseling to help women with pre-existing medical conditions plan for a healthy pregnancy.

Prenatal/Postpartum Mental Health

  • Kadeisha M. Bonsu (she/her) a LCSW clinician and ordained Baptist minister serving clients in group practice in Durham, NC. Kadeisha is passionate about Black Maternal Mental Health and creating space for the intersection of spirituality and mental health. She trained with UNC Chapel Hill’s Counseling and Psychological Services as a Post-MSW Fellow.
  • Mind Over Melanin: Podcast on Black mental health
  • Radical Healing: An intentional, radically inclusive, LGBTQ+ and People of Color centered, multiracial and multicultural campus for healing and wellness
  • Tiirini Hill MSN, PMHNP-BC,board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with 8 years of Psychiatric Nursing experience. 
  • Waite Psychological & Therapeutic Services Selena Waite MA/CAS, LCMHC l 5316 Highgate Dr., Suite 221 Durham NC 27713 l  l (919) 885-4650 

Midwifery/Homebirth

National Advocacy Organizations 

  • African American Breastfeeding Network The mission of the African American Breastfeeding Network is to improve maternal-child health and champion breastfeeding equity by advocating system/policy changes, and partnering with community-based, family-centered, culturally tailored health education and support services.
  • Black Breastfeeding Week A national campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of Black breastfeeding and provide support to Black mothers who choose to breastfeed. The campaign website offers a directory of local resources, including support groups, lactation consultants, and breastfeeding-friendly healthcare providers.
  • Black Mamas Matter Alliance  A national organization that advocates for the health and wellbeing of Black mothers. They offer resources and tools to promote maternal health, including policy briefs, training and technical assistance, and advocacy campaigns. 
  • Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association A non-profit 501(c)3 organization. BMBFA aims to build foundational networks of support, and strengthen systems to overcome historical, societal and social barriers to breastfeeding success. Their objective is to provide education, valuable resources and ongoing support to black families and public/private agencies that service these families.
  • Black Women’s Health Imperative A national organization that advocates for the health and wellness of Black women and girls. They provide resources and tools to improve maternal and reproductive health outcomes, including policy advocacy, community education, and research.
  • Irth Prenatal, birthing, postpartum and pediatric reviews from Black and Brown women
  • National Association of Professional and Peer Supporters of Color Cultivating a community of diverse professional and peer lactation supporters to transform communities of color through policy, breastfeeding, and skilled lactation care.   
  • National Birth Equity Collaborative NBEC creates transnational solutions that optimize Black maternal, infant, sexual, and reproductive wellbeing. We shift systems and culture through training, research, technical assistance, policy, advocacy, and community-centered collaboration.
  • Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) Breastfeeding advocacy, information and support for black women. Based in Atlanta. Annual conferences. 
  • Sister Song Reproductive Justice advocacy and organizing organization based out of Atlanta with many leaders in Durham, NC. SisterSong: This is a national organization that works to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of Indigenous women and women of color to achieve reproductive justice. They advocate for policies and practices that support the health and well-being of Black mothers and their families.

EFT Tapping & breastfeeding

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other Black maternal health organizations available in Durham, North Carolina. It is always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider or local community organizations for additional support and resources.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

  • Mbong Henry PT, DPT; Mbong Henry is from Westminster, MD. She graduated Simmons College in 2009 with her DPT and has been treating pelvic floor conditions for 7 years. She loves helping women who are feeling held back by diastasis recti and pelvic pain discover strength in their bodies again as they get back to the sports they love.  Info@radiancept.com (919) 980-6330
  • Lashonda Jones PT, MSPT, CPT, PCES ; Lashonda Jones from Durham, North Carolina graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University in 2006 & set to complete Doctorate of Physical Therapy in December 2022 from Winston Salem State University. Certifications: Masters of Physical Therapy, NSCA Certified Personal Training, Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise SpecialistInfo@coreelevationfitness.com

Postpartum Support

  • Black Mamas Matter Support Group: This group is for Black mothers who are seeking peer support during the perinatal period up to 2 years postpartum. Our online groups are here to help you connect with other moms, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, baby blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, our groups are here for you. https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/ 
  • Maame, Inc. Virtual only. Mobilizing African American Mothers through Empowerment supports the BIPOC community. Postpartum support group meets the 4th Thursday of each month. Maame, Inc also offers free therapy and 1 on 1 peer support. If interested in any of these programs, email staff at info@maameinc.org or call (919) 709-3120. www.maameinc.org
  • The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) is here to connect North Carolinians with emotional support and mental health resources to help build coping skills and resilience during times of crisis. The helpline is available free of charge to everyone in North Carolina’s 100 counties. This initiative is in partnership with all seven of the state’s LME/MCOs and REAL Crisis Intervention Inc. in Greenville. Hope4NC is confidential and available 24/7. A live person will always answer, no matter when help is needed.
  • The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers: Phone or text access to professional counselors, Real-time support and information, Response within a few minutes, 24 hours/7 days a week, Resources, Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups, Culturally sensitive support, Counselors who speak English and Spanish, Interpreter services in 60 languages. Call or text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 1-833-943-5746.
  • Anchor Perinatal Wellness APW provides free, walk-in screening clinic, outpatient services and an intensive outpatient program to pregnant and postpartum (up to 2 years ) adults who are struggling with a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD). https://www.anchorperinatal.com/
  • Mom’s Supporting Mom’s Support and mentoring for pregnant and postpartum women and their families https://safechildnc.org/moms-supporting-moms/ Email info@safechildnc.org 919-743-6140
  • Moms of Color Support Group: This is a safe place to support one another as women, as mothers, and in raising our children in today’s world. There are no pre-determined topics, and while the group is facilitated by Melanie, the discussion is led by the group. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. online via Zoom and is open to anyone who identifies as a woman of color, and is currently expecting a new baby or who has a child. https://www.emeralddoulas.com/momsofcolor

Printable Resources

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