Last but not least this month, is dope Black Columbus doula, Melissa Bryant of salt of the earth doulas. She’s like my sister-best friend-mom-colleague all in one. She’s newer to the doula scene, but only technically. She’s a mama, a grandmama, and a maternal guide for many. She lives and breathes wisdom, grit, and grace. She brings so much to the birth space and to all of the clients she serves. Today you get to hear her powerful answers about why she does this work and what she wants all birthing folks to know.

What's your reason behind why you do this work? Malcolm X once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” He said that in 1962. Unfortunately, that sentiment still rings true in a myriad of ways. With that being said, has anyone paid attention to maternal mortality for Black women? In comparison to other women with a slightly different hue, it’s criminal. History does shed some light as to why this is the case, and if your readers have time to watch an abbreviated version of this very disturbing history, I recommend checking out Episode 2 of The 1619 Project on HULU. It’ll also shed some light as to why I do this work. I am a Black woman with Black daughters and a Black granddaughter. I want to be in the birthing spaces to assist women who look like me and my babies to ensure that they aren’t being disrespected, unprotected, or neglected while bringing their babies earth-side.

How does your doula support differ from that of others in the area? Honestly, I can’t really say. At first glance, most doula support can appear to be very similar when comparing one doula to another. I believe what separates us is that unction or feeling of some sort of connection between a mama and her doula. A connection that is absolutely necessary because doulas and their mamas have a tendency to get really intimate during labor & delivery and postpartum.

What do you wish you knew about labor and birth that you now can't imagine living without? Umm, everything. Above all, I wish I hadn’t been so fearful. I carried that fear with me throughout each of my pregnancies and it framed my mindset toward how I brought my babies into this world. Now, don’t get me wrong. It is labor. And, it is hard. But, instead of fear being my guidepost…I wish it could have been something like vigor or a deeper communion between the baby & I. Deeper communion because that little nugget was working just as hard to make his way to my arms. Baby and I were in connection with one other. I wish I had understood that TRUTH.

What's your availability for clients March-December 2023? I have some availability in June & September-November. However, reach out to me. Let’s see if there is a connection between the two of us. I don’t believe anything is happenstance.