DIVINE HEALTH

A birth center is a stand alone facility that provides holistic prenatal, birth, and postpartum services in the community. Our vision is for families to receive consistent welcoming, inclusive, and supportive care that is personalized, and tailored to families unique needs and experiences.

The birth center would not only address the immediate healthcare needs of families disproportionately effected by the maternal health crisis but also work to rebuild communities that have been set aside and broken by a system not designed for them and provide them with the resources that they need.

Our goal is not to fix the Black Maternal Health crisis but we hope to be an aid in the solution. The ultimate goal would be to improve maternal outcomes, reduce infant mortality rates, and empower families to thrive not just survive.

We have had the privilege of working alongside some of New York City's most dedicated doulas. We've witnessed firsthand the impact of mistreatment on families, and we've also seen the transformative effects when patients and clients are given autonomy. Simply put, magic happens. Families gain the confidence to trust themselves throughout the process, free from the fear of unnecessary interventions.

Birth will be just the beginning of the services we provide. We will offer a wide range of wraparound services that not only meet the needs of families but also align with their interests. We are deeply passionate about what matters to the community, and we strive to shape our offerings based on their values and preferences.

The added bonus will be it is close to home. Decreasing the number of families that are having births outside of the community.

To foster equitable access to donor milk and breastmilk donation opportunities for BIPOC families through culturally competent education, inclusive healthcare partnerships, and community-driven initiatives that prioritize trust, representation, and empowerment. Most importantly for the leadership to be reflective of the communities we serve.

As a lactation consultant of color, I am part of a demographic that makes up less than 3% of the field. I have personally witnessed the significant disparities in access to care and the widening gap in education about receiving and donating breastmilk within BIPOC communities. When I attended my first HMBANA Milk Bank conference, I was struck by the fact that out of hundreds of professionals, fewer than 10 were people of color. The leadership across the country does not reflect the diversity of the families we serve, and I am determined to change that.

My vision is to create a future where BIPOC families have equitable access to breastmilk education, donor milk, and opportunities for breastmilk donation, while reshaping the leadership landscape to truly reflect the diversity and needs of our communities.

Our goal in creating a BIPOC-led donor milk bank is to address the systemic disparities in access to donor milk and breastmilk donation education, while fostering leadership that reflects the diversity of the global majority. This initiative will be the first of its kind, but it will not be the last, as we aim to inspire a movement of inclusive, representative leadership across the country. We will house this milk bank within our birth center so that it will be directly accessible to the community. We believe the leadership in lactation and milk banking must do a better job of representing the people it serves, ensuring equity and empowerment for all.

A sign-on letter for Birth By Queens Birth Center and Donor Milk Bank aims to gather support from individuals, community members, organizations, and stakeholders to advocate for the establishment of the Birth By Queens Birth Center and Wellness Center. The letter highlights the urgent need for equitable maternal healthcare, emphasizing the benefits of a birth center and community based donor milk bank in improving birth outcomes, reducing disparities, and expanding access to holistic, community-centered care for birthing parents.

By signing, supporters demonstrate collective commitment to safe, culturally competent, and accessible birth options, strengthening advocacy efforts to secure funding, policy support, and necessary approvals for the center's development

Sharing birth stories as narratives for change serves a powerful role in advocacy, education, and systemic reform in maternal health. These personal experiences highlight both positive and challenging aspects of childbirth, offering insight into disparities, barriers to care, and the impact of supportive birth environments. Most importantly it humanizes the data & statistics of birth.

We are eager to collaborate on career fairs, panels, community baby showers, health expos, and other gatherings where we can engage with families and share valuable resources.

Panel Discussions & Educational Workshops – We can provide insightful discussions on birth equity, reproductive justice, midwifery care, and parenting support tailored to your audience.

Community Baby Showers & Resource Fairs – Help us distribute essential baby items, share vital health information, and celebrate expectant families in an inclusive and supportive space.

Career Exploration in Birth Work – Inspire the next generation of midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, and maternal health advocates by connecting them to opportunities in the field.