Hire a
UJIMA Network Doula
Meet our amazing Certified Birth & Postpartum Doulas
Who We Are
Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. is an advocate for building birth workers in the communities they already reside in. Being supported while supporting is truly a necessary treasure as a birth worker. When our Co-Founder and Executive Director Nicolle Fletcher became a certified doula and decided to launch her own business, mentorship and coaching was not available to her, even after she sought it out. Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. seeks to be the answer for other aspiring and active Black women birth workers. Support for the supporter!
Our mission is to address the maternal health crisis that families of color face in Arkansas during the childbearing years. Knowing how imperative our work is to improving better birth outcomes, propels us to do our part.
Arkansas has 75 counties and only 32 birthing hospitals. Between 2009 – 2014, Nicolle Fletcher was the only Black doula serving Central Arkansas. Although that number has increased in Central Arkansas, there is still a significant disparity in rural areas of the state. One of the ultimate aims of Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. is to actively increase the number of birth workers of color. This is a necessary step to improve maternal health and the birth experiences of women of color.
Ujima Maternity Network, Inc. provides coaching through training workshops and one- on-one consultations to launch you into your amazing doula career. We are currently taking applications for future change agents that are ready to help do the work of saving our women and babies. We need each other! We are here for it.
What is a Doula?
A doula is a professionally trained non medical support person. Doulas provide physical support, education, emotional support, and advocacy during all stages of the maternal journey.
Why would a BIPOC woman need a doula?
Because the data is real, the lived experiences are real, and the support matters.
BIPOC women—especially Black, Indigenous, and Latina women—face unique challenges within the maternal healthcare system. A doula isn’t a luxury in these spaces; she’s a protective factor, an advocate, and a consistent support in a system where consistency isn’t guaranteed.
Here’s why doula care is especially valuable for BIPOC women:
To counter disparities in maternal health
BIPOC women experience higher rates of:
- Maternal mortality
- Preterm birth
- Birth complications
Even when controlling for income, education, and health insurance.
A doula provides continuous support that has been shown to reduce interventions, improve outcomes, and increase safety.
Because bias — implicit and explicit — still exists in healthcare
Research shows BIPOC women are:
- More likely to have their pain dismissed
- Less likely to receive timely intervention
- Less likely to have their preferences respected
A doula helps ensure their voice is heard and their concerns are taken seriously.
For culturally aligned support
Doulas who share cultural, racial, or lived experiences can:
- Provide trauma-informed, culturally relevant care
- Understand unspoken needs
- Help navigate family dynamics, traditions, and histories
This creates a safer emotional environment for pregnancy and birth.
Because many BIPOC women carry generational trauma around birth
A doula helps break cycles of:
- Fear
- Isolation
- Misinformation
By providing trusted education, comfort, and ongoing emotional support.
To create a continuity of care that the system rarely provides
- Providers rotate.
- Hospitals are busy.
- Appointments are rushed.
Meet Our
UJIMA Doulas
Please feel free to directly contact the doula you would like to meet with.
Nicolle Fletcher
Nurturing Arrows Birth Services
Nicolle is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Childbirth Educator & Midwife
Sarita Hendrix
Unity Birth & LactatioN Services
Sarita is a Certified Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Lactation Educator, & Apprentice Midwife
Liyah
Wasson
Keep Birth Beautiful
Liyah is a Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, & Certified Lactation Counselor
Kwaeisi Golliday
Willowing Aya Birth services
Kwaeisi is a Certified Birth Doula, Certified Community Healthworker, serving the Southeast part of Arkansas
Aeriess Duhart-Lewis
Aeriess Queen Doula Services
Aeiress is a Certified Birth Doula with a history in medical research, and dance
Yejide Kincaid
The Photogenic Doula Services
Hajime White
Precious Jewels Birth Project
Gwen White
Precious Jewels Birth Project
Silvia Halliburton
Silvia Halliburton Birth Services
Jamie Washington
Hello Beautiful Wellness Spa
MARY Robinson
Mama & Mary Doula Services
LEAH James
Golden Touch Doula Services
Charlotte Williams Jackson
Charlotte Rae Support Services, LLC
Charlotte is a Birth & Postpartum Doula and a Board Certified Mental/ Behavioral Health Coach
NAJA Perry
NAJA Perry Doula Services
Naja is a doula and registered nurse serving families in the postpartum period.
Maryah Jackson
Harmony and Love Doula Services
Maryah is a Certified Doula serving Central Arkansas
Doula Directory
Leah Wasson
Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, & Certified Lactation Counselor
Airess Duhart-Lewis
Certified Birth Doula with a history in medical research, and dance
Jamie Washington
Certified Birth Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and Wellness Expert
Elise Lewis
Certified Birth Doula
Charlotte William Jackson
Birth & Postpartum Doula and a Board Certified Mental/ Behavioral Health Coach
Aaliyah Gilmore
Birth and Postpartum Doula
Maryah Jackson
Certified Doula
Rubi Madrid Acevedo
Doula
Courtney Briscoe
Doula