Infusing Spirit and Soul to Continue the Legacy of Protecting Black Women in Birth

1/10/2020 Comments

Infusing SPIRIT and SOUL into Birthwork to Continue the Legacy of Protecting Black Women

"You're piecing [the call to birthwork] together... How do you piece together the whiteness that you are seeing with the Blackness that's in you and make it make sense? Because that's what you're forced to do... even thinking about how to incorporate soul work and spirit work into it." ~ Brittany 'Tru' Kellman, CPM, CD, CLC

"Don't ever, ever, tell me the ancestors ain't real. Don't allow anyone to lead you to believe that our ancestors died without giving a fight. Their spirits are alive and well, and fighting through me."

These are the words Brittany "Tru" Kellman. After our conversation, she told me about a challenge that was being fought at the time. The details of the situation are shown below in the VICTORY post that was posted by Jamaa Birth Village the very next day. YES!!!

Tru is a warrior in the truest sense of the word. And throughout her life she has shown the tenacity and strength required to see victory over oppressive forces. Like so many other Black women reclaiming birthwork and healing practices, the ancestors continue the fight for our liberation through women like her.

Topics discussed:

"Black Woman's Guide to Homebirth..."
Moving toward homebirth
"Saving myself..."
Becoming the provider the community needs
Having a VBAC2
Controversy about being the "1st Black CPM in Missouri"
Allyship vs White Savior Complex
"The Birthing of a Midwife..." groups
Keeping Black women from getting lost and stuck in birth culture
How Black women's DNA can be healed through birthwork
Being a "protector"
Understanding "I GOT YOU" in birthwork
Walking in the footsteps of our Grand Midwives
Being unconstrained in birth culture
Assisting in birthwork in Ghana
Nurturing and safeguarding "The Call"

Tru extends these words of gratitude:

"Thank you to my ancestors who didn't allow our traditions and ceremonies to perish but instead allowed this power to be carried through our DNA and reawakened with force! Thank you to my sons Kylan, Kashawn & Kaleo for giving birth to a new me and allowing me to realize my calling. Thank you to my wife for caring for me and our family so well while I became a Midwife. Without her, this path would've been near impossible. Thank you to Mama Ummsaalamah for beginning this work and inspiring me to trust my calling. Thanks to my community back home for believing in me and my amazing Jamaa board and staff who held things down along the way. A huge thanks to my amazing preceptors Allison & Corina for pushing me through the finish line. "

Listen to the Podcast:

Connect to Brittany "Tru" Kellman and the work she is doing:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btkconsultingfirm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BTKConsultingFirm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruKellman
Website: https://www.btkconsultingfirm.com/
Email: tru@BTKConsultingfirm.com
Phone: 314-619-3704

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamaabirthvillage/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamaabirthvillage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamaabirth
Website: https://www.jamaabirthvillage.org/
Email: tru@jamaabirthvillage.org
Phone: 314-643-7703

Website: https://www.thecosmicgrove.com/

PURCHASE:
A Black Woman's Guide to Home Birth by Brittany "Tru" Kellman: For Women and Families of Color & The Birth Workers That Serve Them.

Comments

What are YOU waiting for to start learning about how to care for women during the childbearing year? Whether you are considering a career in birthwork, want to learn to help your family and friends or desire to be a resource for your community, "10 THINGS" is your starting place! Learn from from a Black historical perspective... learn from "someone who looks like you"... STOP WAITING... START LEARNING RIGHT NOW!

The voices of Black women have long been censored and/or edited. These conversations with Dr. Doula are an opportunity for Black women to share their truths and experiences in birth and birth culture in their own voices.

In other words, "She said what she said..."

When we help Birth HERstories we are acknowledging the BLACK BIRTH RENAISSANCE that is happening around the world! When we share our stories, practices, or traditions from women of African descent in America, we help preserve Black Birth HERstory. It is our responsibility as descendants of African women who were trafficked to the U.S. to hold their stories and know their practices, so that we are able to continue their tradition of being self-reliant and self-sustaining as communities of Black women.

Dr. Doula

My work is informed by my background – experiences, expertise, exposure, education & environment – as a woman, mother, wife, sister, educator, researcher, scholar, advocate, birth ally and legacy builder. #IAmTheAnswer #WeSaveOurselves
(Please note that the information shared on this blog is for information purposes only. Pregnant women should consult their PCP before following any practices found within the Birth HERstory Series Blog.)

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Infusing SPIRIT and SOUL into Birthwork to Continue the Legacy of Protecting Black Women

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