Dr. Chanel Blackmore, founder of Black Pearl Doula Collective, is leading a transformative movement in maternal health. With a focus on culturally informed support, education, and advocacy, the organization is reshaping how underserved communities, especially Black women experience pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.
A Calling Born from Experience
With over three decades of experience in the medical field and more than 20 years in healthcare education, Dr. Blackmore has witnessed firsthand how healthcare systems often struggle to meet the unique needs of diverse communities. These observations inspired her to take action not just as a practitioner, but as a changemaker.
The idea for Black Pearl Doula Collective was born from her desire to create something more than a service. She envisioned a collective that would offer holistic support and empower women to feel confident and cared for throughout one of life’s most vulnerable moments: childbirth.
“Our mission is to ensure that every woman regardless of background feels seen, heard, and supported,” Dr. Blackmore says. “We focus on dignity, respect, and education throughout the entire childbirth journey.”
Building a Bridge: Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Care
Black Pearl Doula Collective operates on a blended care model. Its approach draws from cultural traditions and ancestral wisdom while remaining firmly grounded in evidence-based practices. While the organization does not offer clinical services or medical care, it supports families through non-clinical, culturally sensitive guidance and emotional support before, during, and after childbirth.
The Collective’s services include prenatal and postpartum doula care, family education, and professional development programs for aspiring birth workers. This balance of traditional values and modern training creates a model that respects the richness of diverse cultures while preparing doulas to collaborate effectively with medical teams.
This unique approach was shaped in part by Dr. Blackmore’s time abroad. A recent move to Ghana offered her a firsthand view of how community-centered practices, shared wisdom, and support networks contribute to maternal well-being. The experience reinforced her commitment to building a system of care rooted in both compassion and cultural understanding.
Education as the Cornerstone of Change
Education is central to the Black Pearl Doula Collective’s philosophy. The organization doesn’t just serve clients it also prepares the next generation of doulas through training, certification, and mentorship.
“We believe that increasing the number of trained, culturally competent doulas is one of the most impactful ways to improve maternal outcomes,” says Dr. Blackmore. “When women are supported by professionals who understand their lived experiences, it builds trust and trust leads to better care.”
Trainees in the Collective’s certification program receive instruction not only in the physical and emotional aspects of birth work, but also in communication, advocacy, and cultural competency. This equips them to act as both caregivers and navigators bridging gaps between families and the medical system.
The program also prioritizes mentorship. New doulas are paired with experienced professionals who offer guidance and support as they build their practice. This community-driven structure creates a ripple effect: each trained doula becomes part of a growing network dedicated to better care and broader representation in maternal health.
Centering Community in Maternal Care
A key element of Black Pearl’s work is its emphasis on community not just in a geographic sense, but as a core philosophy of care. From support groups and workshops to local collaborations, the Collective fosters spaces where families can connect, learn, and grow together.
“Our goal is to create a culture of shared knowledge and mutual support,” Dr. Blackmore explains. “When families are connected to informed, compassionate communities, they feel more empowered and that empowerment has lasting effects.”
In addition to its work with families, the Collective collaborates with healthcare providers, nonprofits, and educational institutions to raise awareness around maternal health equity. These partnerships aim to address the structural factors that contribute to disparities in care and outcomes.
While Dr. Blackmore is clear that there is still much work to be done, she believes in the power of collective action. Each community event, training session, and client interaction contributes to a broader movement, one that uplifts, educates, and advocates for lasting change.
Representation Matters
One of the most pressing challenges in maternal health today is the lack of representation among birth professionals. Studies have shown that racial concordance between patients and providers can lead to improved health outcomes and increased satisfaction with care.
Black Pearl Doula Collective seeks to address this gap by recruiting, training, and supporting women of color in the field of birth work. By creating accessible pathways into the profession, the organization ensures that more women from underserved communities have the opportunity to become doulas and, in turn, serve others in their communities.
This representation not only improves care it also builds trust and fosters open communication. Clients supported by doulas who share their cultural background often report feeling more respected, heard, and comfortable during their birthing experiences.
Looking Forward: A Vision for Equitable Care
As Black Pearl Doula Collective continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to transform maternal care through education, advocacy, and cultural empowerment. For Dr. Blackmore, that vision is grounded in both personal experience and professional expertise.
“I’ve seen what’s possible when care is built on trust, knowledge, and cultural understanding,” she says. “We’re not just changing outcomes, we’re changing narratives.”
The Collective’s long-term goals include expanding its training programs, increasing access to doula services in underserved areas, and collaborating with healthcare systems to integrate culturally competent care into broader maternal health frameworks.
Through this work, Black Pearl Doula Collective is not only providing essential services it is shaping a future where maternal care is more inclusive, equitable, and empowering for all.
