Liz Odunaiya
President
Liz is a Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, and Birth Doula who believes that all birthing people should have the right to birth their way and that disadvantaged populations deserve a world free from violence on the basis of their sex or gender. Assisting Black and Indigenous People of Color as they navigate birth and parenting in America is Elizabeth’s act of resistance against a patriarchal and systemically racist society. Liz is the proud aunt of two adorable nephews.
Shontaé Gainey
Vice President
Shontaé is a birth and fertility doula, providing education and support both for birthing persons as well as those struggling to conceive. She is also a Calm Birth educator, helping her clients use meditation, visualization and their innate power to achieve their best birthing experience. Shontaé has recently become a midwifery student, and is excited about how she can continue to use her skills and knowledge to impact women’s and birthing health. Shontae is a wife, homeschool mother of four children and children’s book author.
Sybil Cooper
Treasurer
Sybil is an experienced registered nurse with over 6 years of nursing experience; specializing in: maternal child health, pediatrics, case management, lactation and community partnership. Sybil works collaboratively with expectant mothers and their providers to ensure patient rights are being honored, mothers are educated on interventions and making informed decisions, and providing advocacy to prevent medical bullying. Sybil is the mother to three beautiful girls.
Jennifer Gyamfi Holiday
Secretary
Jennifer is a Doctoral Candidate of Medicine, pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology with a reproductive justice framework. Jennifer provides full spectrum doula support including pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, surrogacy, adoption, planned abortion, miscarraige, preganacy loss, stillbirth, SIDS/SUIDS and preterm/NICU support for all birthing people within the gender spectrum. Jennifer holds certifications as a Birth Doula, a Pregnancy and Infant Loss (P.A.I.L.) Advocate, a Birth Assistant (pending) and as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. Jennifer is a wife and mother of two children.
Kanika Thelwell
Co-Chair
Kanika is a Birth Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. She is an advocate for birthing persons to birth their way. Her advocacy for birthing persons began after her first birthing experience. Kanika is passionate about helping birthing persons return to the knowledge that their bodies are capable of birthing and nurturing their babies. Kanika is a wife and mother of three children.
Keyawna Scruggs
Chair
Keyawna has been in the medical field as a PCT for over 15 years and has always been drawn to maternal health and supporting teen mom’s. Keyawna holds certifications as CNA, Med-Tech, CPR, Birth Doula, Community Health Advocate, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and Birth Assistant. Keyawna is the owner of She Birth’s Purpose, a wife, and a mother of 5 beautiful children.
Nikia Davis
Public Relations Director
Nikia is a Birth Doula who has over 15 years of medical experience and a former volunteer EMT and is currently practicing in the role of a phlebotomist. She is also CPR and First Aid certified for adults, infants, and children. She has a passion for empowering birthing people of color with the knowledge needed to make the best informed decision to birth their way and connect with their bodies. Nikia is the aunt of fifteen nieces and nephews and has assisted in many of their births.