Programs

GROUNDWATER ANALYSIS TRAINING

The Black Mamas Community Collective partners with Joyce James LMSW-AP, to provide the Groundwater Analysis Training. This training focuses on systemic rather than individual factors that inhibit institutions and systems from achieving racial equity. Joyce James has demonstrated success in creating the type of learning environment that makes participants most receptive to the cultural and philosophical shift that is critical to systems transformation. 

SISTER CIRCLES

Black Mamas ATX provides their Sister Circle support meetings every month, where Sister Doulas are on hand to provide the tools necessary facilitate a healthy pregnancy. Sister Circle meetings are also a fantastic way to meet other mothers in your area to discuss experiences with child birth. The time has come to show up for our black mothers.

Check our calendar for upcoming Sister Circles »

SISTER DOULA PROGRAM

Doulas are nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after pregnancy. Studies show that doula care improves outcomes for mothers, largely in part because of the emotional support for the mother and the role doulas play in advocating for their clients.

Research shows that doula-assisted mothers are 75% less likely to have a baby with low birth weight and half as likely to experience a birth complication. Mothers with doulas are also significantly more likely to breastfeed.

The Black Mamas Community Collective currently has three Sister Doulas who are assisting Black mothers. They are currently offering all doula services at no charge to the mothers. They have clients that are both pregnant and postpartum and will continue to meet with their postpartum mothers for a full year after delivery.

OUR SISTER DOULAS

Jaymie Rivera-Clemente, Lead Sister Doula

Jaymie Rivera-Clemente is a native Austinite. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and they share four beautiful beings ages 20, 18, 16 and 11.

Jaymie first started her work in birth support for family and friends over 16 years ago and has never turned away from it. She had three natural unmedicated births of her own, all of which were traumatizing in their own way. Jaymie is now a certified Doula advocating and fighting for birthing justice for all mothers one delivery at a time. She is a proud member and the senior Sister Doula for the Black Mamas Community Collective. She has an unadulterated love for humanity and enjoys fighting for all things just. She plans to continue using her many life experiences to fuel her way to a reality of liberty and justice for all.

Jennifer Johnson Dungey

The joys and pains of my own childbirth experiences to my two children are what led me to my passion of becoming a doula. In 2012, I was categorized as having a high-risk pregnancy and on the day of my planned c-section, I ended up having an emergency C-section. In the aftermath I hemorrhaged and could have passed away in recovery if it wasn’t for the support system around me: starting with my husband advocating to the nurse on my behalf and the medical team acting quickly. That’s not always the story. I learned a lot from my pregnancies and traumatizing deliveries. I decided to become a part of the change and to be an advocate for both mothers and babies. Today I am a Certified Postpartum and Birth Doula. I am a proud member of the Black Mamas Community Collective. I hold certifications as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Community Health Worker, Community Health Worker Instructor, Passenger Safety Technician, Touchpoints and Period of Purple Crying Trainer.

Aphrica Farrow

Born and raised in Austin, I am a full time mother of 4 beautiful girls. I currently work full time as a Breastfeeing Peer Counselor at Mom’s Place and attending ACC classes to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I am also a doula with Black Mamas Community Collective and a member of their Organization Committee as well as being a Certified Health Worker. When I am not at work or doing BMCC activities I am busy attending any number of extra-curricular activities my daughters may be involved in. If and or when I have any spare time I like to spend it sleeping, reading or catching up on any missed TV shows. I am so blessed and proud to be apart organizations that impact the lives of mother and babies in such a delicate and meaningful way!

USTAWI CENTER

The Ustawi (Swahili for well-being) Center will foster sisterhood, peace, health, prosperity and a holistic sense of well-being. It will focus on supporting Black mothers, families and community by strengthening social structures for Black women and teens. The center will emphasize well-being, reproductive justice, mental wellness, sexual health, emotional emancipation, economic determination and civic engagement.