Brain Building Consulting

I receive numerous texts, calls, and emails regarding my doula services, and while I genuinely enjoy supporting others, I am no longer able to offer free mentorship. I have invested thousands of dollars into my craft and have spent countless hours researching to provide the highest quality support. As such, my efforts must be compensated. If you are seeking doula mentorship and guidance, please find my pricing information below. Respectfully , MamaKay

On this last day of black history , I honor the present! This beautiful ladies are the community doulas of Tallahassee. Each of them coming into this space not only with lived experiences but expertise ranging from early childhood to nutritional health. Together they have assisted almost 100 births in Tallahassee in less than one year. They are change makers, birth protectors and I am honored to work alongside each of them. Birth life is on call life , so black history is everyday for us as we are determined to change the statistics one birth at a time ! .ebony

I am elated that Brain Building Consulting/MamaKay Birthing Services is now an official Perinatal Safe Spot .Working in spaces within my community that many are afraid to enter , cultivating a safe place for women and girls to be vulnerable and rebuilding the trust in humanity has been a hard road. But ,I’ve found my way through lots of research , countless certifications and boots on the ground works. Being a parent of PSS means we have a village for the village , a community of birth workers to continue to grow and expand our knowledge. Onward and Upward from here! 💯

Today in black history we honor Tallahassee’s ultrasound technician
Yolanda Cross-Craig but in community we call her Yoyo! She is a Registered Ultrasound Technologist with a Bachelors in Health Science and over 20 years of healthcare!! She has her own business named which provides diagnostic and non diagnostic services from fertility to kidneys she is here to serve our community. Did I mention she is mobile ? We honor your commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community! Thank you YoYo

The Florida Breastfeeding Coalition’s biennial breastfeeding conference is this year. Will you join me !?

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!! While you are enjoying time with your significant other remember books are open for October, November and even early December births. Offering birth and postpartum doula services.

When “the doula” walk through the door!!!

Today in black history we honor Mary Eliza Mahoney who pursued a nursing career .She is noted for becoming the first African American licensed nurse.After decades as a private nurse, Mahoney became the director of the Howard Orphanage Asylum for black children in Kings Park, Long Island in New York City. She served as the director from 1911 until 1912.She finally retired from nursing after 40 years in the profession. However, she continued to champion women’s rights. After the 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920, Mahoney was among the first women who registered to vote in Boston.

Recognizing the contributions of those who have paved the way is essential for the sustainability of our community, and it is equally important to acknowledge the efforts of those who are currently engaged in this work. Today, we would like to highlight Ms. Shanta Wilson, the Director of Programs for The Center for Health Equity. Her determination, passion, and commitment to her community are evident in her work. Ms. Wilson collaborates with a remarkable team of women who dedicate their time to empowering others. By meeting individuals where they are and addressing their fundamental needs, she is making a significant impact. Ms. Wilson, we honor you and the important work you do! .t.wilson thank you for being you ! And thank you for helping guide me along my journey!

On this 10th day of black history we honor, Charles Johnson. Mr. Johnson lost his wife Kira in 2016 during a routine c-section. Kira and Charles noticed immediate warning signs of hemorrhaging but were ignored by hospital staff for over 10 hours. Staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles reassured Mr.Johnson that his wife would return form surgery only for him to never see his wife alive again! In 2017, Mr. Johnson launched and became a voice for the voiceless. Empowering families, partners and advocates across the country to hold hospitals and physicians accountable but also challenging a system not designed for BIPOC women. Today we honor Kira Johnson and Charles Johnson.

Day 5 : I am honoring The Black Doula . What is an a reproductive justice advocate ? What does it look like to own your space and person? To be authentic to oneself ? To educate, empower and advocate for other birth workers.
No gate keeping here ! Sabia turned their passion into a brand. She began her journey as a volunteer Full Spectrum Doula for The Prison Doula Project in 2015. 10 years of doula work, writing a book entitled Birthing Liberation, Founded Birth Advocacy Doula Training and uplifting communities across the world. BADT is one of the top doula training platforms and is one of the only black training organizations recognized for Medicaid reimbursement. Sabia is BLACK HISTORY! Thank you for inspiring so many !

I began my journey as a researcher. I researched everything I could regarding black women and the birthing space. During one my moments , I began to read about and instantly she became my mentor in my head. I was such a fan girl when I met her in person and then I took training and she was one of my instructors ! To learn from her was a life altering experience! Go ahead and add C-FSD (BADT) behind my name !!!

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I had the privilege to walk through the Florida Capitol, speak with legislators and engage with fellow advocates. During our tour, we were told of the murals surrounding the House of Representatives that depicted Florida throughout history. I never made it past the first mural! As tears filled my eyes, I had to stand there and smile. The pain was heavy ! The reality hit like a ton of bricks. In the moment, I prayed and asked for guidance, strength and wisdom to endure for the uncertainty that surrounds us! When I say I am Kaytheadvocate this ..:.. this…. Is my reality. I put myself in rooms that may be uncomfortable, unfamiliar or unwelcoming but with the strength and prayers of my ancestors , I will prevail!

A little delayed but I didn’t forget !!! Just like we should never forget. Diverse pushing positions is not a new trend or newly discovered research but rather an ancient practice. This sculpture depicts ancient Africa and the communal nature of the birthing process. This is the reason we need doulas, midwives, trusted community members , lactation consultants etc. We need a community !!!!

Day 3 of black history in the maternal health space. Let’s talk sterilization. In 1973 at 12 and 14 years old , Minnie Lee and Mary Alice Relf were involuntary sterilized. This was done in part with a federally funded family planning incentive. Women of color were the target of this program ! 1973 was only 52 years ago! If we don’t know our history , we are doomed to repeat it !

If you know me my advocacy stretches across many platforms but my favorite will always be Early Childhood Education. Did you know that on November 10, 196 Sesame Street debuted. A children’s program designed to resemble Harlem, New York, the birth place of the Harlem Renaissance. The creators initially included a diverse cast to resemble many of our neighborhoods. Educating and empowering young children through song, dance and life lessons, Sesame Street is black history.

Where it all began for me !!!! Day 2 , The Granny Midwives. During the transatlantic slave trade African women brought to America a wealth of knowledge including childbirth and child rearing. The granny midwives assisted both black and white women during childbirth. They were the nutritionist , breastfeeding consultants , postpartum doulas and so much more. Many of the midwives never lost a mother or baby but in the early 1800’s medical care in the U.S changed. At one time it was taboo for men to be in the delivery room but men decided they knew what was best regarding bodies. Propaganda utilizing fear and racism , began the “regulation” of midwifery. Thus adversely impacted the black woman as we see today in our maternal and infant mortality rates!

Lucy, Betsey, and Anarcha were between the ages of 17 and 19 when they were subjected to J. Marion Sims’ experimentation. 17 and 19 !!!! Dr.Sims experimented on black bodies without pain medication because “black people don’t feel pain.” Sound familiar ?!!! Well black women, men and children are given less pain medication than other patients and it leads back to torture of black women . Say there name! Honor their role in gynecology!!!