We recently connected with Shayla Brown and have shared our conversation below.
Shayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I trained as a doula to arm myself against the dangers Black women face in pregnancy and childbirth.
Shayla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a Shafia Monroe (formerly ICTC) certified doula trained in Opelousas, Louisiana by Nicole Deggins of Sista Midwife Productions. I have also trained as a Health Connect One Community Doula through the Tanner Community Development Corporation in Phoenix Arizona.
For 2 years I served women of color as a community doula contracted with Maricopa County’s South Phoenix Healthy Start, and wrote freelance articles centering black health inequities for the Arizona Informant.
I have served as a speaker and panelist at Phoenix Metro Area community breastfeeding and birthing events and have organized across the Mississippi Delta as a social worker and as a Mississippi Delta Service Corps/AmeriCorps VISTA Member. In addition, I led other VISTA members as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader for the City of Memphis.
I’m a Mississippi native taking her family’s health into my own hands in response to the disparities I’ve faced on my journey from infertility to birthing 7 boys; 4 of which my husband delivered unassisted in my home. I am a Shafia Monroe-certified and Health Connect One-trained doula; and the curator of the Genesis Birthing and Living Black Birth Story Blog “where black women are the authorities on black birth”.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. In her personal time, my husband Erick and I promote the strengthening of black families with those around us and on our social media pages. We share more about ourselves and about our experiences as parent-storytellers in season 2 of NATAL Podcast.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’ve had to learn my worth and the worth of my offerings so I could charge appropriately; not too high but not too low.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I became a mother pivoting became essential. I’m still learning how to garner stability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.genesisbirthingandliving.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/genesisbirthingandliving
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenesisBirthingandLiving
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-brown-?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/birthblog
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@genesisbirthingandliving?si=_qUAHFFf4hCHrkAI
