Honoring Tradition, Building Community: Erykah Wayne’s Journey Into Birthwork

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Introduction

My Journey to Birthwork: Honoring Tradition, Building Community

When I first started exploring the world of birthwork, I had no idea just how much it would change me. I knew I had a passion for supporting women, especially in Black and Indigenous communities, but I wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into something tangible—something that could truly make a difference. That’s where bebo mia came in, and why I’m so incredibly grateful for this scholarship.

Who I Am & The Roots of My Work

My name is Erykah J Wayne, and I’m the founder of Sacred Turtle Doula Care. My journey to this work has been shaped by my background in healthcare, research, and hands-on experience in physical therapy. But more than that, it’s been shaped by the stories of the women around me—their struggles, their resilience, and their desire for birth experiences that are empowering and supported.

A Calling to Birthwork

In many ways, birthwork feels like coming home. My interest in women’s health has always been deeply personal. As a Black woman, I’m painfully aware of the disparities that exist in maternal healthcare. I’ve seen how often Black women’s concerns are dismissed, their pain underestimated, and their voices ignored during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

Why This Work Matters

Becoming a doula means stepping into a role that goes far beyond providing comfort during labor. It’s about advocacy. It’s about education. It’s about creating spaces where birthing people feel heard, respected, and empowered to make decisions about their bodies and their births.

Gratitude for the Scholarship

Receiving the bebo mia scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me. It allows me to deepen my knowledge, strengthen my skills, and expand my ability to support families in my community.

Looking Ahead

This scholarship is more than just financial support—it’s an investment in the work I want to do and the families I want to serve. I’m excited to continue learning, growing, and building a practice that centers compassion, advocacy, and culturally responsive care.

A Message from Bebomia

As we reflect in 2026, we are so honoured to look back on our March 2025 scholarship recipients and the beginning of their journey into birthwork.

Each of these stories reminds us that birthwork is not just a career path, but a calling rooted in care, advocacy, and transformation. Through this scholarship, we had the privilege of supporting emerging birthworkers as they stepped into roles that have the power to change how families experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

We are incredibly proud of this cohort and the paths they have begun to create. The impact of this work extends far beyond a single moment — it lives on in the families they support and the communities they continue to strengthen.