THE TEA IS BREWING!

Who wants some?

BLACK TEA was an idea that came to me a couple of weeks ago. It was a cross between a need for me to connect with my people in the age of COVID-19 & social injustice and also create a space for black folx to share, explore, learn, grow, heal, be inspired and just be. My first three interviews weren't actually from my account because I have been having Instagram tech issues for months. But things are working well now so I'm not wasting any time!

Who can be a guest?
I'm looking for black and brown:

• birth workers
• doctors
• nurses
• reproductive health specialists
• parents
• ​teachers
• child & family care givers
• social workers
• mental health counselors & therapists
• holistic health practitioners & experts
• maternal health & reproductive justice advocates
• artists/creators
• entrepreneurs & more

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Generally, the chats have covered the guests' business/expertise, family/life in the age of C-19, mental health and the current social & political climate. It is a very informal and "go with the flow" type of interview.

I am looking forward to catching up with old friends, getting to know new ones and sharing our stories of success, struggle, pain, purpose, business, blackness and everything in between! I hope to provide open and honest conversations filled with comfort, hope, knowledge, connection and positive energy exchanges.

I can tell from the reactions to the invites I've sent to potential guests that these chats will be very necessary. It is important that we take the time to express our feelings and be able to do so in a safe space. I couldn't be more excited about what's in store and what will transpire.

Now more than ever we need more black spaces to share our own stories and connect with one another and I'm happy to be a facilitator.

If you are interested in being a Black Tea guest to share your story, experience and/or professional expertise, please email me at bestofbothworldsnc@gmail.com with subject line Black Tea Guest.
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BLACK TEA SPONSORS!
​If you are a tea brand who would like to sponsor gifts for my guests and giveaways for my followers, please reach out to me. I would love to promote your products and accesories. Black owned and BLM supporters preferred.

Click here to view Black Tea IG Live Chats!

To the birthing bodies that have had to adjust their birth vision and bravely brought forth life

To the mothers and fathers who are now quite familiar with the blurred lines of work-life balance and juggling more than you anticipated

To the parents who never quite got the hang of virtual school for various reasons

To the families living in hotels who were already under water before schools and businesses closed

To the parents who are in financial limbo due to job loss, illness and social distancing restrictions

To the co-parents who have been under the same roof for weeks for the sake of their children

To the single parent who has nowhere to turn for food

To the first time parents still trying to find comfort in the chaos

To the mother who was already struggling with mental health before the outbreak

To the widowed father who is still mourning his loss and trying to figure out how to care for two young children alone

To the black and brown parents who are now even more fearfully of giving birth in a hospital due to the black maternal mortality rate

To the families who had their whole way of life ripped from them due to the virus

To the low income & middle class families who continue to be disproportionately stifled due to institutionalized racism, broken systems and hypocrisy

To the couples who had to put IVF, adoption or dreams of a family on hold

To the trans and non-binary people who are having an even more difficult time with finding trustworthy, knowledgeable care providers

To the couples who's marriage is suffering and your kids are on the receiving end of that anguish

To the parents who are sending their children off into the real world at a time like this

To the empty-nesters who haven't seen their children in weeks/months

To the grandparents who have yet to meet their grandchildren

To the parents on the frontlines who haven't kissed or hugged their kids or loved ones in weeks

​To the refugee and immigrant families still locked up in cages by our selfish, ruthless and incompetent president

To any family who has experienced a loss of any kind during the pandemic...


I see you. I acknowledge your hurt, fear and sorrow.

It's okay to cry and be sad.
It's okay to be angry.
It's okay to be disappointed.

Feel those feelings. Every single one of them. They are valid and normal.

It's also okay to ask for space.
And love & comfort.
And support.

It's okay because you are now on a new path.
A path that was a part of your destiny all along. A path that will lead you to something greater.

This will be a defining moment on your parenting journey, but this single moment will not define you as a parent.

You will rise up and be a light for your children and family. You may stumble a bit, but that's why we have one another. To lean on and exchange grace.

We will get through this. Together.

To read my own story of overcoming postpartum anxiety, click here. For more information on how to support mothers and families impacted by mental illness, please visit Postpartum Support International or join the conversation over on the PSI-NC Chapter on Facebook.

An update on Best of Both Worlds Doula Services operations and information from local hospitals and national health organizations:

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Raleigh and the Triangle area, Best of Both Worlds Doula Services is still taking precautions by practicing social distancing and staying at home through May. Meetings and consultations will continue through phone and video conferencing for the time being. Thank you for understanding.

Please be advised that I will be following North Carolina's guidelines on sheltering in place and I will likely extend them. I would like to start in person meetings again in June, but that is still unknown right now. Please check back for updates in mid/late May. Reduced virtual services will be available through the end of May as well. My operational hours have not changed and I am available by phone, text, email or video chat for your convenience.
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Below you can find all of the latest information from local hospitals regarding COID-19 and visitor policies. These policies are changing every day so please be sure to confirm what is stated here and on their website by calling or emailing. I will try to keep this post updated as I receive new information from the hospitals and other local doulas.

*UNC Health Care/Rex Hospital

Please note: At UNC, the partner can stay postpartum. However, if they leave the hospital for any reason, even to grab something from the car, they will not be allowed back in. Other hospitals may adopt this policy as well so please be advised. The Operating Room (cesarean sections) policy allows one support person. *Doulas must have gone through the OR training at UNC to provide support there.

*WakeMed Health and Hospitals

Update for WakeMed as of Thursday, May 7th, 2020: All WakeMed facilities are now allowing doulas plus one additional support person! The Operating Room (cesarean sections) policy allows one support person and a doula at Wake Med Main.

Women's Birth and Wellness Center

*Duke Health

Please note: As of last week, Duke Regional and Big Duke began universal testing for all birthing people coming into L&D. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will be separated from their partner/support person, & it will be recommended that the newborn be separated as well. Other hospitals may adopt this policy as well so please be advised.

Update for Duke as of Monday, April 27th, 2020: Duke Hospitals policy now states that every birthing person is entitled to a support person regardless of COVID-19 status!

Wake County Health Department

The * indicates the hospitals that are COVID-19 test sites.

Remember, you are the patient/parent and nothing should be decided or done in regards to you or your child(ren)'s care without your consent.
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Evidence Based Birth
EBB has a downloadable consent form that you can print off and discuss with your provider. You can find it here.

COVID-19 response updates & resources for North Carolina 

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

National Institute of Health (NIH)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

La Leche League International

Postpartum Support International 

I want to again thank those who continue to go above and beyond to ensure that others have what they need and are taken care of during this uncertain time.

To the doctors, nurses, researchers and other medical staff working tirelessly to provide accurate, up-to-date information and quality care THANK YOU

To all essential employees, staff and city/government officials such as our child care workers, mail couriers, garbage collectors, bus drivers, grocery store clerks and cashiers, pharmacists, researchers, delivery persons, city workers, commissioners and other officials THANK YOU

To the liaisons helping people navigate if/when to see their providers and when/where they can get tested THANK YOU

To the janitors, custodians and cleaning crews of schools, businesses and the local & national government THANK YOU

To the generous community volunteers who are making sure their neighbors, friends, school aged children and the homeless have food, supplies, school lessons+resources and basic medical supplies+care THANK YOU

To all the mask makers THANK YOU

To the local small businesses who are still serving the people of the community THANK YOU

To my fellow birth workers who are continuing to serve clients in all capacities THANK YOU

It is no secret that we are living in a time where many things and concepts will never be the same due the pandemic that we are currently experiencing. We have been forced to face some hard truths about our ways of life, who is considered "essential" and question our leadership & the systems (or lack there of) we have in place to protect our basic human rights. The U. S. health care industrial complex will undoubted have to change as a whole and it must start at the beginning-with BIRTH.

As Black Maternal Health Week draws near, I wanted to invite any new parent you may know to share their birth stories. As a doula, I spend much of my time listening to birth stories and helping others process their birth experience and the feelings that surround these experiences. While trying to navigate my own feelings during this time as a wife, mother, business owner, believer and human being, I wanted to extend my listening ear further and find a way to support those who need to express themselves in a productive way.

Birth in 2020 is a passion project that will allow any birthing person or new/adoptive/surrogate/foster parent to share their COVID-19 birth and family experience. It is a 60 question survey outlining your birth and parenting experience during the outbreak. Please know that this information is being collected for research purposes and I hope it will be a catalyst for processing and healing. Thank you for your time and vulnerability. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.