Who We Are
We are a passionate community of advocates, educators, and partners committed to providing culturally affirming, holistic support for Black birthing people.
Our mission is to ensure Black mamas—and those who care for them—have the knowledge, resources, and community to experience empowered, joyful births.
Board of Directors
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Valencia P. Walker, MD, MPH
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Chair, Board of Directors
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Marie Boone-Clark
Founder & Executive Director
Vice Chair. Board of Directors
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Keith Meredith, MD, MS
Board of Directors
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Alice Obuobi, MD, MBA
Board of Directors
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Grady Grant, III
Board of Directors
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Shawn Smith, MD, FAAP
Board of Directors
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Joy L. Henderson, RN, PNP, PhD
Co-Founder
Board Member Emeritus
(In Memoriam)
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Allison Cole, MPH
Secretary
Board of Directors
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Tricia Mischler, JD, MPH
Board of Directors
Governance
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Brighton Ncube, PhD
Board of Directors
Governance
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Donald Null, MD
Board of Directors
Advisory Council
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David W. Johnson, Esq.
David Johnson, Esq., is a former Associate General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer for a global software company, and now devotes his expertise to meaningful work that uplifts others.
A respected leader who also served as Interim Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer, he brings decades of experience in law, compliance, and corporate ethics, as well as public service with the U.S. Department of Labor, local government, and Board Member of a Nebraska credit union.
He serves as our executive advisor at Birthing the Magic, as well as the Callas Foundation, and partners with We Make Change to expand opportunities for underrepresented communities in technology and health information.
His track record is distinguished by excellence, integrity, and tangible results.
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Danielle Clayton, Esq.
Danielle Clayton, Esq. is Senior Counsel in the Ethics and Compliance Division of the New York City Law Department, where she advances ethical governance and public accountability. She previously served as Assistant Corporation Counsel, managing a high volume litigation docket and earning a 2019 Division Chief Award, and broadened her civil practice as an Associate at Lewis Brisbois.
Danielle began her career with judicial and litigation internships that honed her research and trial skills. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, she blends precision, principle, and purpose in every aspect of her work, championing fairness and trust in the institutions she serves. She also serves on the Advisory Council of Birthing the Magic Collaborative (BTM).
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Pearl Quartey-Kumapley, MD
Dr. Pearl Quartey-Kumapley is a physician and health equity leader dedicated to transforming care delivery and advancing inclusive, community-centered medicine. She serves as Medical Director for Health Equity at Deaconess Health System and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Before joining Deaconess, Dr. Quartey-Kumapley served as Medical Director of the COVID-19 Response for the Cook County Department of Public Health, leading critical prevention and outreach initiatives during one of the most challenging periods in modern medicine. A graduate of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, she brings an integrative approach that bridges primary care, education, and equity.