Black maternal and child health

Reach for Wellness!

A Wellness Program for Moms & Babies

Reach for Wellness!

TEAM

Meet Our Doulas

J. Dale Gardner

Dale holds a B.S in Health Promotion and Health Equity, as well as Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin Madison. They will be starting as a nursing student in the Direct Entry Masters of Science in Nursing program at Alverno College in Milwaukee for the Fall 2022-23 school year! They are proud to work as a Full Spectrum Doula, Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Counselor, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, and soon to be Certified Babywearing Educator. Dale’s passion is working collaboratively with other like-minded individuals to help create systemic change within the reproductive healthcare system. This is why they are proud to be an active member of Madison Doula Collective, to volunteer with P.O.W.E.R.S All Options counseling, to be a Freezer Faery with Mother’s Milk Alliance, and former intern with Public Health Madison Dane County. They currently serve as President on the Governing Board of Directors at Milestone Democratic School. Last, but certainly not least Dale is a loving parent to 7 wonderful children.

Katie Wakonyo Taylor Rice

Hi there! My name is Katie Wakonyo Taylor Rice.Through my own experience of giving birth to my rainbow baby, I have witnessed firsthand the benefits of a doula’s support.  Since then, I have become a certified birth doula through DONA International, childbirth educator, and owner of UZIMA Birth Services.It is my life's passion to work with and serve birthing people as they navigate pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  I believe every birthing person deserves a doula, no matter how their baby enters this world.  I also believe knowledge is power and enjoy helping my clients find the resources they need to make confident, informed decisions they can feel good about.

Whether I’m helping a client locate evidence-based information about inductions, reminding a support person to eat or rest during a birth, or holding a new parent’s precious baby so they can take their first shower at home, it is always a great honor and my pleasure to help however I can.

Tamisha Binion

I’m Tamisha, the Founder of A Peace of Lovelace. My greatest passion is helping those find serenity and reminding them how powerful we are.

During my pregnancy, I wished I had more resources regarding breastfeeding, support, postpartum care, labor choices, and more. As a young parent, I was also growing up with my son, and I needed more support. 

Becoming a birth and postpartum Doula, I want to provide the ultimate care by educating, motivating, nourishing, and bringing peace. 

Pregnancy is a very emotional and sacred journey. As your Doula, I will walk through your journey with you being there every step of the way.

Tracey Russell

Tracey Russell, founder of Russell Family Doula Services (RFDS), is a birth doula professional specializing in providing physical, emotional, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Additionally, Tracey is co-founder and president of Mahogany Rooted in Wellness, a startup nonprofit 501(c)(3) designed to help underserved individuals by providing physical, mental, and financial health resources. She is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a minister, life preceptor and community advocate. Tracey has been on a passionate journey to become a Birth, Postpartum and Grief Doula. Over the last five years, she has been asked to assist more and more with moms and their pregnancies. As Tracey’s life journey unfolds, she desires to be in a community leadership position where she can inspire and support future Doulas to take on the challenge of lowering minority infant deaths in their communities. Tracey has been married to her husband, Brian, for more than 31 years. They are blessed with three adult children, Justin, Jason, and Julia and two grandchildren, Jaden and Jace.

Rachel Wagabaza

My name is Rachel Wagabaza. I'm so excited to have started my journey as a Doula and have trained with DONA International and National Black Doulas Association (NBDA). Healthy babies need healthy moms and I want to make sure that every birthing person I work with is provided with the best care possible. I serve and support birthing people to help them feel confident, informed, and empowered as they navigate through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

Tamara N. Thompson

Tamara N. Thompson is a Black femme activist, Lactation Counselor, Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Student Midwife originally from Illinois and has lived in Wisconsin since 2004. 

Tamara studied  Humanities at the University of Wisconsin Madison and is a current student of Midwifery at the Midwives College of Utah. Tamara is a founding member of the Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective, co-founder of Harambee Village, a community based doula organization, The Birthing Project of Madison, WI., and Maroon Calabash, a Black Womyn led Reproductive Justice organization.

As a dedicated doula serving families in the greater Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI areas through the full circle of pregnancy, Tamara provides emotional, educational, and physical support as families weight options, navigate the health care system, select a care provider, and use self-care recovery measures after birth.

Tamara’s activism work includes the intersections of pregnancy and economic status, racism, incarceration, trauma, gender identity, ability, trauma, and access to human milk. With a specific interest as a health policy advocate, Tamara engages local, state, and federal legislators to highlight ways pregnant people are impacted by current laws, bills that are introduced, and ways that legislation in the state of Wisconsin and our nation could better support pregnant people.

As a future midwife of excellence, Tamara’s strategic goal to establish a freestanding birth center is her contribution to the movement to reclaim the legacies of historical Black American Midwives, and fulfill her commitment to the community. Tamara advocates for (while practicing) radical self-love, mindfulness, peaceful communication and honoring the sacred Mother Earth.

Tamara is mother to 10 children (seven from her womb), a proud aunt, and a dedicated life partner. She is a lover of coffee, Tetris, houseplants, family road trips, and all forms of art. 

Khaleah Monger

Khaleah is passionate about Black Maternal and Child Health and is a DONA trained Birth and Post-Partum doula. Khaleah attended Tuskegee University, where she majored in Nursing with a degree in Health Science. It was there that her passion for providing care through the labor and delivery process grew. Khaleah believes that including mothers, babies, and partners at the core of her service is what provides the best outcome for the mother's overall birthing experience. Khaleah is a staff member of The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness. Inspired by their motto,"Nothin About Us Without Us," she recognizes the value of her supportive community and how important it is to consider a black mother's voice as part of the support she provides during the birthing process.

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