Kristie McCollom – Fall 2020 BIPOC Doula Journey Bursary Recipient

Being a bebo mia scholarship recipient has literally changed my life and the way I look at the possibilities that it has given me. When I applied for the scholarship the first time, (yes! I applied TWICE!), I honestly wasn’t TRULY ready for it. But after giving birth to my fourth baby and the experience itself taught me so much about myself and the way I look at birth; it led me right back to bebo mia, and I applied again. The difference this time was I was really ready to receive it. 

My name is Kristie and I am a homeschool mom of 4 and an Army wife. I am a woman who loves easily, passionate about helping others, a voice to people in marginalized groups, and a mama bear when it comes to those I love and call my friend. I have always had a love for babies (I wanted to be a pediatric nurse when I was growing up), but as I have gone through life, I now have a love for birthers and parents. As a parent, I know all the things we go through physically, mentally & emotionally, and often, we lack the support we need to get through those first few stages of parenthood. I want to be that support for others. I am so eager to learn all that the Maternal Support Practitioner course has to offer!

When I first learned about bebo mia, I attended a webinar (after many others given by other programs) but this webinar touched me as no other had. One of the key factors in my decision to apply for a scholarship with bebo mia is that there was such a beautiful acknowledgment of what black birthers endure and how important black doulas are. I felt included, I felt heard, and I felt important. I knew that they saw ME and understood the struggles that we, as people of color, black people face when it comes to birth as a whole. 

There was also an embrace to ALL birthers. I have a transgender sibling and you couldn’t imagine the things that she has endured not only to be trans but a Black trans. Her voice isn’t yet as loud as my own so I speak loud enough for us both. She is why I applied. Her and all of the black birthers that can’t yet find their voice in the birthing space. 

During my last birth, I almost died and the people who were supposed to care for me, didn’t. I just so happened to have a black nurse with me and she transformed everything for me that night. I left that hospital empowered to make a change in the healthcare community starting with becoming a doula with bebo mia. 

After the program, my plans are to serve those in my community, especially POC, LGBTQ+, and those in the military community. I hope to create a program within the military community that would connect doulas and other resources with expectant birthers and other situations such as abortions, loss, and adoption. I do also hope to continue my education into midwifery and provide holistic care to those in my community. 

I could not be more grateful to be able to attend the Maternal Support Practitioner program. I feel not only led to this but called for this work. This investment in me will not be wasted. When I look back over my life, I know everything I have gone through has brought me here to this season in my life. I look forward to completing my certification and making waves where I can!

-Kristie McCollom