Improve birth for ALL women through information, nutrition, support, empowerment, and community! I would be failing you if I did not mention that women of Color, specifically Black women, are experiencing maternal healthcare disparities all over the US. Women just like me, and our babies are dying at rates 3-4 times higher than the national average. In places like New York City it jumps to approximately 12 times higher than the national average. I know, you are thinking "Nicolle why such heavy talk on your website?"
Because silence and complacency is one of the reasons we have gotten to this place. Maternal Healthcare in the United States as a whole continues to decline even though we are a first world country with all the modern conveniences and technology.
Maybe it is time we go back to get better. We have to be the solution to healing and helping ourselves. While I am clear that one Black doula living in Conway, Arkansas will not improve this issue alone, I know my participation is essential. I have three specific focuses to do my part.
Increase Knowledge, Increase Black Birth Workers, and Build an Empowering Supportive Community that will no longer remain silent and complacent around birth injustice for any woman.
Because silence and complacency is one of the reasons we have gotten to this place. Maternal Healthcare in the United States as a whole continues to decline even though we are a first world country with all the modern conveniences and technology.
Maybe it is time we go back to get better. We have to be the solution to healing and helping ourselves. While I am clear that one Black doula living in Conway, Arkansas will not improve this issue alone, I know my participation is essential. I have three specific focuses to do my part.
Increase Knowledge, Increase Black Birth Workers, and Build an Empowering Supportive Community that will no longer remain silent and complacent around birth injustice for any woman.
Nicolle S. Fletcher
Nurturing Arrows Birth Services
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I am a...
Co-Founder of the City of Hope Outreach, since 2007 Certified Birth Doula, since 2010 Trained Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, since 2011 Childbirth Educator, since 2011 Doula Trainer & Mentor, since 2012 Trained Postpartum Doula, since 2013 Certified Dancing for Birth Instructor, since 2016 Certified Lactation Counselor, since 2017 Certified Health Coach, since 2019 Founding Member of Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. Visionary, Executive Director, since 2020 Apprentice Midwife, since 2020 Regenerative Health Coach, since 2021 I am utilizing all of these certifications and skills to better serve the community of birthing women. My aim is clear and the people God has in my path will continue to be served WELL! I am a builder to increase networking in birth knowledge, Black birth workers and empowering supportive community. |
GET CONNECTED!
Ujima Maternity Network
Ujima Co Founders 2018
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Ujima Co Founders 2023
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UJIMA (00-JEE-mah) is one of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa which means; "Collective work and responsibility" - To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and solve them together.
Ujima Maternity Network, Inc was called to create a community of birth workers of color for the maternal woman of color. We seek to foster a space where women feel heard, valued, understood and empowered when it comes to the most vulnerable time in their life.
Ujima Maternity Network aims to become the go to space for women of color providing them with a full service maternity experience. We seek to decrease the gross amount of maternal deaths in women of color in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas currently, ranks number 1 in Maternal Mortality. We strive to heal communities, starting with the most disparaged maternal population - the Black mother and child. We can make a change!
We have been in civil unrest due to the murder of innocent Black bodies. Since then our nation has become more aware of this health crisis and have sought ways to support communities of color to bring about change. For Black mothers, this crisis actually begins in the womb.
Ujima Maternity Network is Arkansas’ first and only all Black (BIPOC) network of birth workers and advocates. We launched this vision on December 28, 2018 and have been working diligently to build a solid resource and base for communities of color. There is a lack of representation in the birth worker field, lactation support/education, as well as access to equitable care. Currently, there are NO Black CPM midwives in the entire state of Arkansas. Ujima Maternity Network is dedicated to answering the call for the lack of representation so that we may solve our own problems.
We appreciate the individuals and groups from all walks of life who have contributed to our mission.
In response to the heightened awareness of Black Maternal & Infant Mortality and the outcry of support we have established this fundraiser to allow community participation.
We are raising funds to increase the representation of lactation professionals, birth and postpartum doulas, Black midwives, community education, and access to these resources. Ujima Maternity Network will be offering scholarships to women of color seeking certification in lactation, doula care and midwifery. Scholarships will also be available for women of color in the community seeking these services.
Signed in Unity,
Nicolle Fletcher
Ujima Maternity Network, Inc was called to create a community of birth workers of color for the maternal woman of color. We seek to foster a space where women feel heard, valued, understood and empowered when it comes to the most vulnerable time in their life.
Ujima Maternity Network aims to become the go to space for women of color providing them with a full service maternity experience. We seek to decrease the gross amount of maternal deaths in women of color in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas currently, ranks number 1 in Maternal Mortality. We strive to heal communities, starting with the most disparaged maternal population - the Black mother and child. We can make a change!
We have been in civil unrest due to the murder of innocent Black bodies. Since then our nation has become more aware of this health crisis and have sought ways to support communities of color to bring about change. For Black mothers, this crisis actually begins in the womb.
Ujima Maternity Network is Arkansas’ first and only all Black (BIPOC) network of birth workers and advocates. We launched this vision on December 28, 2018 and have been working diligently to build a solid resource and base for communities of color. There is a lack of representation in the birth worker field, lactation support/education, as well as access to equitable care. Currently, there are NO Black CPM midwives in the entire state of Arkansas. Ujima Maternity Network is dedicated to answering the call for the lack of representation so that we may solve our own problems.
We appreciate the individuals and groups from all walks of life who have contributed to our mission.
In response to the heightened awareness of Black Maternal & Infant Mortality and the outcry of support we have established this fundraiser to allow community participation.
We are raising funds to increase the representation of lactation professionals, birth and postpartum doulas, Black midwives, community education, and access to these resources. Ujima Maternity Network will be offering scholarships to women of color seeking certification in lactation, doula care and midwifery. Scholarships will also be available for women of color in the community seeking these services.
Signed in Unity,
Nicolle Fletcher