Hi, my name is Paige. I’m a 26 year old arts administrator, theatre maker, and organizer currently living in Minneapolis, MN. I am a Black queer woman, Howard University alumna, a huge nerd, a nature lover, a longboarder, and a gardener. I'm passionate about the arts, holistic health, and Black futures. I’m also one of those weird kids who was not at all grossed out in science class when we watched a video of someone giving birth. I was fascinated.
I want to be a doula. What is doula? A doula provides guidance and support to a pregnant person before, during, and after childbirth. We are advocates that help the birthing person have the birth experience they desire, while also looking out for their holistic health and safety. Doulas can also provide support through fertility, breastfeeding, miscarriage, and abortion. I have already participated in an abortion doula training in 2018 through Spiral Collective, and I’m so excited to continue my journey! It’s my desire and calling to do this work with a particular focus on Black people who are experiencing extreme and deadly disparities in reproductive care.
And I need your help. I want to enroll in doula education that prepares me to provide high quality, holistic, full-spectrum service to my community. Your donations will pay for full spectrum doula training, lactation educator training, books and materials, and any other mini courses I could need. There are lots of training options out there and I have narrowed down to several possible choices that reflect my values and cover the topics I want. I will share an update about my choice once I have raised enough funds to enroll.
Supporting Black doulas is one of many ways to help fight the Black reproductive healthcare crisis. Black birthing people are up against a lot and more support is needed at every single level. Challenges include institutional racism and discrimination, bias and lack of cultural competency from providers, food insecurity, housing insecurity, lack of access to accurate health information and support, and a lot more. But it isn’t hopeless! I believe in the resiliency and creativity of my people, and our indomitable will to survive. I am one of many, many people answering the call to advance reproductive justice. I hope you will support us!
Can't use PayPal? Venmo or CashApp works too!
Cash App: $PaigeReyn
Venmo: @Paige-Reyn
