National Black Midwives Alliance
Our goal is to have a representative voice at the national level that clearly outlines the various needs of Black Midwives.
What We Do
Advocacy
Advocacy is the cornerstone of NBMA. We support Black midwives and their allies that are taking legislative actions that address disparities in maternal health care disproportionately impacting Black birthing people.
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Education
We support and advocate for more educational pathways for Black student midwives, including having access to academic council, scholarship resources, and training opportunities to assist the next generation in their education and professional development. To this end, we offer a mentorship program and issue-based webinars, and gifts of financial support to student midwives.
Mentorship
NBMA offers an expanding mentorship program for Black student midwives. Engaging in mentorship strengthens professional practices and personal growth. Mentors serve as an accountability parter, coach, and cheerleader while mentees offer fertile ground to sow the seeds of Black midwifery and best practices.
Co-Founders
Jamarah Amani
Haguerenesh Tesfa
Haguerenesh Tesfa
Jamarah Amani is a community midwife who believes in the transformative and healing power of birth and that every baby has a human right to human milk. Her mission is to do her part to build a movement for Birth Justice locally, nationally and globally.
As a birthworker and advocate, Jamarah has been tackling the epidemics of Black mat
Jamarah Amani is a community midwife who believes in the transformative and healing power of birth and that every baby has a human right to human milk. Her mission is to do her part to build a movement for Birth Justice locally, nationally and globally.
As a birthworker and advocate, Jamarah has been tackling the epidemics of Black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality for over fifteen years. She is currently the director of Southern Birth Justice Network, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to expand the Birth Justice movement and to make midwifery and doula care accessible to all. She is also the co-founder of National Black Midwives Alliance, the only national professional association specifically for midwives of African descent.
Jamarah is the recipient of the 2019 Trailblazer Award from the City of Miami. She has been featured in a variety of media outlets including PBS, NPR, NBC and publications such as the Miami Times and the South Florida Times among others. She has written for several blogs including the Huffington Post and is currently a fellow of Echoing Ida, a community of Black women and non-binary writers. In addition to parenting four children and jumping in the ocean whenever possible, Jamarah offers midwifery care to families across South Florida and workshops on Birth Justice to organizations across the United States.
Haguerenesh Tesfa
Haguerenesh Tesfa
Haguerenesh Tesfa
Haguerenesh, or “Hagi,” is a midwife, public health professional, and energy healer. She is a global health advocate focused on reproductive health and justice, an experienced birth worker in home/birth center/ hospital settings and research professional exploring the intersection of birth outcomes and environmental exposures. She is the
Haguerenesh, or “Hagi,” is a midwife, public health professional, and energy healer. She is a global health advocate focused on reproductive health and justice, an experienced birth worker in home/birth center/ hospital settings and research professional exploring the intersection of birth outcomes and environmental exposures. She is the co-founder of National Black Midwives Alliance and a collaborator on Black Mamas Matter Alliance.
Haguerenesh holds a bachelor’s degree in medical anthropology, a master’s degree in international health&development, and an advanced practice nursing degree in midwifery.