Black doulas serve as a critical bridge between mothers and a healthcare system that frequently dismisses or ignores their needs, acting as protectors, translators, and empowerment coaches 1-3.

To fix transportation barriers for Medicaid users, the Amplifying Voices Report provides a "roadmap" of recommendations centered on increasing reliability, dignity, and flexibility. According to the listening sessions with Black mothers, current systems are often described as "dehumanizing," requiring users to wake up as early as 4 a.m. for appointments only to be left waiting hours for return rides 1, 2.

Imagine walking into the most vulnerable moment of your life— childbirth—feeling seen, supported, and understood in every breath you take. Now imagine doing that as a Black mother, in a system where your risk isn’t just medical, but racial.

Taking the time to recognize your achievements is not just an act of self-empowerment, but also a practice of gratitude and mindfulness.