Jamaa Birth Village Team
Jamaa Birth Village is a dynamic maternal health organization with a small & mighty core staff. Meet the Women who make Jamaa the warm, serene, community-care space that it is.
Okunsola M. Amadou
Founder & CEO
Brittany L. Conteh, professionally known as Okunsola M. Amadou, is the Founder & CEO of Jamaa Birth Village, which was founded in 2015, in Ferguson, MO. Now Okunsola is a 23x time award winning Black Maternal Health pioneer, recognized in Missouri as the First Black Certified Professional Midwife and First Black Registered Preceptor through the North American Registry of Midwives.
On Juneteenth of 2020, Okunsola opened Missouri's First Black led Midwifery clinic. She is currently leading an initiative and capital campaign to build Missouri's First Black led birth center and postpartum retreat haven.
Okunsola’s leadership grew the St. Louis Black Doula community from less than 10 Black practicing doulas in 2015 to certifying 460+ doulas in 8-years through her Community Doula Training as St. Louis’ First Black written, created & taught community-based doula training. Okunsola leads the STL 360 Doula Initiative through the international maternal child health organization Merck for Mothers, which will identify St. Louis as a designated Safer Childbirth City in 2024 thanks to the work of Jamaa Birth Village. Okunsola is the recipient of 10 Black Maternal Health state and local proclamations, including 1-Congressional and 2-state Resolution for her work in the field of Midwifery & Doula care. Okunsola currently sits on numerous local, state, national and global Black Maternal Health task forces, boards, and committees. She is the founder of the global initiative of "Black Doula Day™" and is a kindred partner with Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Okunsola currently practices as a Global Midwife-providing Black Maternal Health consultation services for US based hospitals to improve equitable policies, state legislators to create bills that protect and advance community birth work, and international NGOs in creating their own birthing villages removing colonialism from community birthing practices.
Jamaa Birth Village Team Doulas
Jamaa Birth Village provides Doula care services for BIPOC pregnant people who are both low-risk and high-risk, for both medicated and unmedicated births, at any birthing location such as home, birth center or hospital. We currently offer sliding scale and pro-bono services via Doula care scholarships for low-income and unemployed people. Insurance is accepted for those receiving Missouri Medicaid via Healthy Blue or those with FSA accounts via private insurance.
Phyllis miller
Certified Doula
Phyllis Miller, CD, is a certified full spectrum doula (preconception–postpartum), licensed clinical social worker and certified EMDR trauma therapist. Her experience in social service has been working to promote child well-being, empowering women, and strengthening families. Phyllis was trained and certified as a culturally congruent, full spectrum doula at Jamaa Birth Village. As a doula, she feels it is her responsibility to work towards ending racial disparities confronting Black women specific to maternal and infant health. She is committed to advocating and supporting women to have the birthing experience they envision.
Carmen hines
Certified Doula
Carmen Hines, CD, I am certified as a Holistic full spectrum Doula, trained through Jamaa Birth village , a Certified Personal Trainer , including group fitness coaching and Accountability coaching, and a former childcare provider. Health and Wellness is very important to me , and providing service is where much Joy has been found! As a BIPOC, ABAR trained doula, I believe in full body autonomy for all people, and take pride in being able to be an advocate, and support space for families, helping them learn and grow through experience. Cannot wait to see you soon!
Adrianne Blakemore
Certified Doula
Adrianne Blakemore, CD As ACE the doula I will provide support to mothers and their family unit to add, sharpen, and repair their tools in their toolbox when bringing a baby into this world. My mission is to create a brave space for mothers to be vulnerable, to relax, and to release their journey into motherhood. My mission for families is to be a coach and an anchor in providing care to mother and the unborn child.
Kamara Warner
Certified Doula
Kamara Warner, CD, is a full spectrum doula trained at Jamaa Birth Village™ in May of 2021. In addition to being a doula, Kamara is also a mother to 2 sons and 6 daughters. Due to 3 of her daughters having sickle cell disease, providing a voice and support for those less supported by the world has been a constant in her life for a long time. Her mission as a doula is to create and support a safe and positive experience while bringing new life into this world. She specializes in empowering families and supporting the birth of your choice through knowledge and holistic care.
Chasity Cosby
Certified Doula
Chasity Cosby, CD, is a trained, full spectrum doula through Jamaa Birth Village and excited to provide holistc doula care to STL families.
"As your doula my mission is to educate and create a positive and empowering space for your pregnancy and birthing journey."