Okunsola's Community Doula Training©

BECOME A CERTIFIED DOULA

What is a Doula?

A Doula is a professional pregnancy, birth and postpartum support person, and are experts at uplifting and honoring women & birthing people through the process of labor and birth, while supporting them into the transition of the immediate postpartum period and rites of passage of motherhood & parenthood.

Do you feel called to become a Doula?

Would you like to provide cultural and evidence based care to your community, offering solutions to combat systemic and structural racism in Black Maternal Health?

Do you desire to learn ancient and modern cultural traditions & ceremonies that were created for the overall spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being of Black  expectant families?

If so, this training is for you, and we're ready to take those first steps to assist you in becoming a community-based, Certified Doula. We have two options to fit those who would like mentorship and those with life experience who don't prefer mentorship.

Mentorship Option:

Jamaa Birth Village offers a scholarship based, 60-hour hybrid community Doula training, featuring virtual pre-requisites, in-person training, and mentorship support with two of your doula clients post training.

Have experience supporting pregnant people and want to bypass mentorship? Then we have an additional offering for you:

Jamaa Birth Village, through "The Cora Faith Walker Doula Training Grant" in partnership with the State of Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services and Uzazi Village, is currently offering a free, scholarship based, 40-hour hybrid, in-person or virtual doula training, offered on a monthly basis in St. Louis, Missouri. Doula certifications will be valid for 2-years. Register today!

Jamaa Birth Village Lactation Support
Total # of Doulas trained since 2016
DOULAS TRAINED

FREE CULTURALLY CONGRUENT BIRTH DOULA TRAINING

Ready to begin your Doula journey?

Here are your next steps>>>> Click the appropriate doula training scholarship & registration form below and complete the application in its entirety. You'll receive an email with a virtual overview of the training and enrollment dates.

birth doula training

YOU WILL BE WELL VERSED IN:

  • Birth Rights, Advocacy & HIPPA Compliance
  • Preconception & Prenatal Care and Wellness
  • Labor & Delivery support, comfort, complication navigation, and the clear understanding of informed choice for their clients
  • Lactation and postpartum wellness for women & postpartum people, babies and families
  • Cultural congruence, Reproductive Justice, the foundation and application of cultural ceremonies and traditions from varying ethnic backgrounds
  • Business Sense and community enhancement
  • Individual and personal celebration, self-care inner-outer wellness

Still curious about what a Doula is?

Doulas support physiologic normal birth, high risk pregnancies and attend births in all settings. Doulas are not healthcare providers and do not provide clinical services. They are trained to provide cultural, physical, and emotional supportive care and education.

Okunsula's Community Doula Training© is hosted and taught by Jamaa Birth Village™ through the STL 360 Doula Initiative and the Cora Faith Walker Doula Training Grant via the State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Jamaa Birth Village does not offer private classes for business, institutions or groups. If you're interested in a private Doula training, please click here for a list of recommendations. 

Doula Training Costs & Details:

Doula training scholarships are available for Missouri residents only.

For those who can afford to pay, Doula training costs are $1500 to be paid in full, 10-days before training.

Doula Mentoring Program

Need a mentor as a new doula? Request a mentor through our Doula Mentor Program using the button below.

Learn more & register

Registration for 2025 Doula is open! To secure your spot in our upcoming Doula training, complete the application below:

Required Course Prerequisites

This is the only Doula training in the nation preparing students for excellence with foundational maternal health prerequisites, prior to beginning the official doula training.

Hybrid Learning

Doula training students will experience both live virtual learning and in-person hands on learning and practice sessions, with national, senior level, advanced and experienced Doula trainers.

Doula Exam

An exam will be provided at the end of training to ensure the success of each Doula.

Optional mentorship

Each Doula student will have an opportunity for optional mentorship, with a pre-approved Elder-Senior Doulas post doula training.

Certification

A 2-Year Certified Doula Certificate & Doula Collective Membership will be granted to Doula graduates.

Doula Business Start Up

Each Doula graduate will receive a business listing on our Collective Doula Directory website with a Certified Doula start-up kit upon joining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Friday I walked into my first day of Doula certification training not knowing what to expect. We graduated yesterday, and today I am having withdrawal symptoms. I miss being surrounded by their love. I miss seeing the happiness and sadness on their beautiful faces. I miss hearing their personal struggles. I missed how the room naturally filled with love. I miss those warm hugs. I miss the loudness. I miss how Ms. Tru looked at us with pride. I miss how they loved & respected me. I miss all of those strangers that became my tribe.

- New Doula Sharon
jamaa birth doula workshop

I’m on cloud nine right now I can’t even fall to sleep you’re an amazing inspirational instructor can’t wait to do more work with you’re so dope BOSS!!!!!

- Micai

I took Jamaa's doula class. It was life changing for me and so many other people that were in our class. Thank you Okunsola, you are amazing."

- Kimberly Winston