When the world paused during the COVID-19 lockdown, Nadirah’s path took a new direction. A digital producer in Miami, she found herself drawn to birth work after a presentation about the stark disparities facing Black and Brown mothers in the U.S. Today, Nadirah is a full-spectrum doula and the Director of Education and Training at the Southern Birth Justice Network, where she blends advocacy, education, and hands-on care to transform birthing experiences.

“I never thought I’d be doing this kind of work,” she says. “But once I learned about what was happening, I couldn’t look away.”

Full-spectrum doulas support people through all reproductive experiences—from birth to miscarriage and abortion. Nadirah’s journey began with curiosity and a desire to serve her community during the pandemic. Through her training, she quickly transitioned from learning to leading.

Her first client was a young woman alone in a hospital, frightened and subjected to unnecessary medical interventions. Nadirah stepped up, overcoming her own fears. “I thought, ‘None of these male doctors have had babies either, yet they’re considered experts.’ That gave me the confidence I needed, even though I haven’t birthed a baby.”

That moment revealed the heart of her mission: to restore power and dignity to people giving birth. But the road hasn’t been without its frustrations. Nadirah speaks of clients who weren’t prepared to do the emotional or physical work of pregnancy, and the emotional toll of navigating trauma—like helping a client escape an abusive relationship or guiding someone through miscarriage. Still, her commitment remains firm. “Even when I want to retreat, the work calls me back. Doulas don’t just offer comfort—we’re holding space in systems that often fail our people.”

Systemic racism in hospitals is a frequent barrier. Nadirah has witnessed care providers using fear and control, especially toward plus-size, Black, or Brown clients. “They tell people their womb is toxic, that they’re going to kill their baby if they don’t comply. That’s not care—that’s coercion.”

Yet, she has also seen what respectful, patient-centered care can look like. A birth at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando left her emotional. “They honored her choices. They asked before touching her. It was the kind of experience every birthing person deserves.”

What does she wish for the families she supports? “Time, safety, respect. I want them to have the space to actually enjoy becoming a mother—not just survive it.”

Looking ahead, Nadirah calls for better pay standards, financial pipelines for midwifery training, and deeper collaboration within the birth worker community. She also urges medical professionals to speak out against the marginalization of traditional birth knowledge.

“Every family needs a lawyer, a plumber—and a doula or midwife,” she says. “We’ve always been here. And we’re not going anywhere.”

Stand with Southern Birth Justice Network as we continue to demand dignity, equity, and safety for all birthing people by joining the Florida Statewide Birth Justice Coalition. Help us amplify the Birth Justice Bill of Rights—a powerful declaration affirming every person’s right to respectful, culturally affirming, and empowering care. Be sure to explore and share the Maternal Health Guide, a critical tool created to educate, inform, and protect our communities.

Together, we can build a future where all births are just and all families thrive.