Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amaya Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amaya, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents are incredible. They did a lot of things right. I can’t express my gratitude enough for the values and discipline they instilled in me. The lesson that is most present for me right now is my ability to do anything I put my mind to. My mom and dad always motivated my siblings and I to pursue our passions and dreams relentlessly. No matter how hard or challenging it gets.

My parents’ encouragement to pursue my purpose, their lessons on resilience, and their focus on core values have had a profound impact on my life and career. They provided the nurturing environment and support necessary for me to become a successful and well-rounded individual who is unafraid of pursuing my dreams and overcoming challenges with determination and integrity. My parents’ wisdom and guidance have truly been invaluable in shaping the person I am today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My background encompasses a range of roles within the healthcare field, including being a registered nurse, a community-based doula, an advanced holistic lactation consultant in training, and a nurse-midwifery student. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oral Roberts University (ORU) in 2019, and it was during my studies there that I first delved into the realm of perinatal health. My passion for this field was ignited through a maternal health course at ORU, where I became acutely aware of the stark disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes between black and white women in the United States. It was then I decided I’d become a “nurse doctor” and pursue my midwifery degree.
Following my graduation, I embarked on a nursing career in a diverse range of settings, including medical-surgical, telemetry, and acute inpatient rehab nursing, as part of an acute care float pool. After approximately 16 months in this role, my longing for perinatal health drew me back in. I relocated to Oklahoma City and joined an Obstetrics Special Care Unit (OBSCU), caring for women facing high-risk pregnancies due to various complications, such as preeclampsia and diabetes. This experience reinforced my dedication to maternal health, leaving an indelible mark on my journey.
In October 2021, a year after working in OBSCU, I realized my dream of transitioning into Labor and Delivery, a role I had long aspired to. Assisting new life on their journey into the world is a privilege I hold close to my heart. In February 2022, I made the decision to further my education and pursue my dream of becoming a midwife. In August, I started the Doctorate of Nursing Nurse-Midwife program at Baylor University, where my vision is to be part of creating inclusive, person-centered, and culturally sensitive spaces where childbirth is celebrated, and the sacredness of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum is honored.
In my continuous journey to support expectant parents, I completed community-based doula training with the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative in May 2023. More recently, I’ve adjusted my hospital role to an as-needed position, allowing me to dedicate more time to working with two exceptional non-profit organizations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

I am most proud to provide ‘pay what you can’ doula services to people in my community through my personal brand The Baby Fairy Co.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy to market my business and grow my clientele is relationship building. Showing up authentically, supporting other organizations, and attending community events when I can has been invaluable in building my business.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would choose to be a birth worker a million times over. I can’t see myself doing anything else than serving my community as a nurse, doula, and future midwife.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebabyfairyco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.babyfairy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/thebabyfairy/100089618438076/

Image Credits
Cinco Johnson (headshot) – Rachelle Smith