In a world where statistics often reduce Black maternal health to tragedy, the National Black Doulas Association® (NBDA) is boldly shifting the narrative—centering joy, advocacy, and professional excellence in every corner of the birth world.
Founded to combat the staggering rates of Black maternal mortality and the underrepresentation of Black doulas in the field, NBDA is one of the largest Black-led doula organizations in the country. With over 3,000 members and a growing global footprint, NBDA is more than a training organization—it’s a movement grounded in purpose, professionalism, and deep cultural truth.
Our Mission
NBDA exists to cultivate culturally competent, career-ready doulas and radically improve outcomes for Black birthing people and families. Our mission is to not only train doulas, but to empower them to lead, launch, and leave a legacy through birth work.
We believe that when Black birth professionals thrive, Black families thrive—and communities are transformed from the inside out.
Our Impact
Since our founding, NBDA has trained and certified thousands of doulas—many of whom have gone on to launch successful businesses, lead birth equity efforts, and serve as trusted care providers in their communities.
Our certified doulas have supported thousands of births, and our reach is becoming global.
We’ve hosted virtual workshops, mentorship intensives, and corporate training partnerships to ensure the profession of birth work is sustainable, accessible, and culturally relevant—not just for today, but for generations to come.
What Sets NBDA Apart
Career-Centered Training: We equip doulas not only with skills, but with systems and strategies to build sustainable, full-time careers.
Cultural Competency: Every course, certification, and coaching program is rooted in cultural relevance, ancestral wisdom, and real-world advocacy.
Professionalism & Purpose: NBDA doulas are held to the highest standards in both knowledge and care, often exceeding benchmarks set by larger certifying bodies.
Through rigorous training and mentorship, we're empowering a new generation of doulas to make a meaningful impact.
A Story That Stays With Us
In the most intimate and vulnerable moments of life, being truly seen and supported is a profound gift. For Black birthing people, this experience can be transformative as they navigate a healthcare system that often marginalizes their voices and disregards their needs. NBDA-trained doulas step in as guardians, advocates, and sources of strength, creating a safe haven for individuals to feel empowered, supported, and heard.
This sense of safety and empowerment is crucial, allowing individuals to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system with greater confidence and autonomy. NBDA-trained doulas provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support, honoring each person's autonomy and agency. They calm fears, navigate complex medical systems, and offer reassuring words, fostering dignity and power in moments that often erode them.
The births that NBDA-trained doulas attend leave lasting impacts on families. These moments shape the trajectory of a person's life, influencing their sense of self, relationships, and overall well-being. The stories of these births live on in the hearts of those touched, a testament to the power of compassionate care.
By providing culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care, NBDA-trained doulas bridge the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve. This approach fosters a more compassionate environment, promoting equity and justice in healthcare.
What’s Ahead
At NBDA, our work has always been rooted in love, justice, and legacy. We are not only here to challenge systems—we are here to reimagine what’s possible for Black birthing people and the professionals who serve them.
In 2025, we are boldly committed to training and certifying 250 new doulas, expanding access to culturally aligned care in the very communities where support has too often been out of reach. Through our birth, postpartum, fertility, and bereavement doula trainings, we are equipping birth workers with the tools to not just serve—but to thrive.
But training alone is not enough. That’s why we are also focused on helping doulas navigate and access the growing landscape of funding opportunities and insurance reimbursement. We’re working to increase knowledge and confidence around Medicaid, state pilot programs, and private insurance billing—while continuing to advocate for expanded coverage in the states where support is still lacking.
As we move forward, partnership and innovation remain central to our mission. Whether it's through colleges, hospitals, nonprofits, or corporations, NBDA is committed to forming strategic alliances that make doula care more accessible, respected, and sustainable.
This vision is big—but so is the need.
To reach our goals, we need your help.
Every donation, partnership, and sponsorship brings us closer to a world where every Black birthing person is protected, empowered, and deeply supported—not by chance, but by design.
Trainers in some of the action shots:
🖤 Give today: www.blackdoulas.org/donate
🖤 Join the mission. Help us train the next 250 doulas.
Together, we’re not just changing birth work—we’re changing lives.
