Mahogany Maternity
All things Birth
My Philosophy
I firmly believe that doulas aren't trained, they're born. Those with the innate ability to nurture, willing to give of themselves walking alongside another to help carry their load. That's the heart of a doula. I had a traumatic first birthing experience before learning what a doula was, I realized what I'd missed in retrospect by the time I had my third. My doula changed the way I viewed birth, my body and health care overall. Skill can be taught, and knowledge gained, but empathy and unyielding support is a gift that a doula shares from her core.
My Experience
I am a passionate maternal health advocate and outreach coordinator. I focus on eliminating health disparities to lower the disproportionate African American and Latina infant and maternal mortality rate in Indiana. I created the Speak Life Doula program and co-authored the Safety PIN grant that garnered multiple million dollar awards from the Indiana State Department of Health. I am a Certified Lactation Specialist, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth and Postpartum Doula of over 12 years. I am a member of: DONA International, Breastfeeding USA, International Childbirth Education Association, the United States Lactation Association, The Saint Joseph County Fetal Infant Mortality Review team, the Indiana State Department of Health Maternal Mortality Review Team and chair of the Health Disparities Subcommittee for DONA International. I established the 32nd Milk Bank Depot in Indiana, which collected over 1,650 ounces of donated breastmilk for Indiana’s NICUs. I co-authored the Birthing Bill of Rights to advocate on behalf of mothers during the childbearing year.
I testified at the Indiana Statehouse in House and Senate chambers in support of Senate Bill 416, for Medicaid reimbursement of doulas which passed, and was signed by Governor Eric Holcomb.
My Training
Certified Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula
DONA International
Certified Lactation Specialist
Lactation Education Resources
​Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
Lamaze International
“I met Kelli as a student in my Lamaze International educator training. I was impressed to hear about her career as the leader of a community-based doula program in her home community, working toward birth equity. As you well know, because of the maternal and infant mortality crisis, it’s especially important that we have women of color (who are supporting women of color) in the Lamaze fold and also working to share the highest quality evidence-based information. Kelli’s dedication to birthing justice is unparalleled.” Jessica English.
