ABOUT ME
IAM WARRIOR
MIDWIFE NANA
SAKINA O'UHURU
As a warrior midwife with over 25 years of experience, my commitment to birth justice has been unwavering. I firmly believe in improving and enhancing the lives of women whose voices often go unheard, particularly within marginalized communities. Central to my mission is the drive to diminish inequities in the reproductive and birth spaces. I am dedicated to combating the troubling statistics of maternal mortality by advocating for comprehensive care that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by women, especially women of color. My passion extends beyond the birth, as I am equally dedicated to training and teaching a new generation of midwives who are culturally responsive and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of the women they serve. I am especially focused on increasing the number of Black midwives within Black communities, recognizing the critical role representation plays in ensuring equitable healthcare access and outcomes for all. Through my work, I am determined to be a catalyst for positive change in the world of midwifery and women's healthcare, tirelessly working towards a future where every woman's voice is not only heard but valued and empowered.
Mission
The mission of A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife Training Program is to empower Black individuals with the knowledge, skills, and training using evidence based medicine and ancestral wisdom necessary to reclaim, restore, and revitalize, the practice of midwifery within communities of color. We are dedicated to fostering a community of Black midwives who honor and celebrate the diverse experiences and birthing traditions of Black families, while ensuring culturally competent and holistic care.
Through comprehensive education and training grounded in our core competencies, and ancestral knowledge, we aim to empower our students with the skills to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive care throughout the transformative stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our program aims to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression within the healthcare industry, addressing the historical trauma and systemic racism that have disproportionately impacted Black birthing experiences.
We are committed to nurturing a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fosters personal growth, self-reflection, and critical thinking. Our curriculum embraces the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of pregnancy and birth, centering the unique needs and desires of the individuals and communities we serve.
A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife Training Program is dedicated to promoting reproductive justice, advocating for the autonomy and agency of Black families in making informed decisions regarding their bodies and birthing experiences. We are committed to partnering with communities to challenge existing power structures and promote sustainable, equitable, and culturally affirming healthcare practices.
As we uplift the legacy of Black midwifery, we honor our ancestral wisdom and integrate it with contemporary evidence-based practices. By cultivating a new generation of Black midwives, we strive to create lasting change, dismantling the barriers and disparities that have hindered the birthing experiences of Black families for far too long.
Together, we march forward, embracing the path of liberation, decolonization, and healing, as we forge A Wombman's Way towards a future where Black families thrive and their birthing journeys are honored and supported.
Every woman alive is the sum of all she ever did and felt and was.”
Sister Julien "Call The Midwife"
Purpose
The purpose of A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife Training Program is to empower Black individuals by providing them with a comprehensive and culturally affirming midwifery education. Our program aims to reclaim, revitalize, and decolonize the practice of midwifery, centering the unique needs, experiences, and birthing traditions of Black families. We strive to cultivate a new generation of Black midwives with the knowledge, skills, core competencies, ancestral wisdom, and warrior spirit necessary to provide compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care during the transformative journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Our purpose extends beyond individual empowerment, as we actively work towards addressing systemic barriers and disparities that disproportionately impact Black families in the birthing process. We seek to challenge and dismantle historical trauma and systemic racism embedded within the healthcare system, advocating for birth and parenting justice. By promoting reproductive justice, we strive to ensure that Black families have the autonomy, agency, and access to make informed decisions about their bodies and birthing experiences.
Through our purposeful curriculum, community partnerships, advocacy efforts, and inclusive decision-making processes, we aim to create sustainable change within the healthcare industry. We are committed to uplifting the legacy of Black midwifery, integrating ancestral wisdom with contemporary evidence-based practices. Our purpose is to foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment that values personal growth, self-reflection, and critical thinking.
Ultimately, the purpose of A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife Training Program is to forge a path of liberation, decolonization, and healing. By doing so, we envision a future where Black families thrive, their birthing journeys are honored and supported, and equitable and culturally affirming healthcare practices are the norm. Our purpose is rooted in the belief that the power to transform the birthing experience lies within the hands of the community and we are dedicated to providing the education and support necessary to make this vision a reality.
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A Wombman's Way curriculum is offered within an interconnected framework that centers the needs of women and family. ​We practice our principles by designing programs that Remember, Reclaim, Restore, and Celebrate women’s ways of knowing, healing, helping and honoring.
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Remembering
The Granny Midwives & their Sacred Support services for all stages and needs of womanhood and motherhood.
Reclaiming
Harnessing our legacy and principals to help women remember their power purpose supporting them in accessing their personal power and actualizing their creative purpose in this life.
Restoring
Our trainings provide tools for students that adequately support women of color. These tools help them recognize and answer the call of duty to serve the Spirit of Birth as Black Birth Practitioners and offer an approach to living and learning that restores dignity, compassion and authority to being a woman.
Our curriculum includes self study as well as weekly study groups and/or workshops that support a healthier student/faculty relationship. Although our courses are online, our students are supported throughout the curriculum. Our trainings support students to practice within their own communities and encourage them to become interwoven within their local birthing community to encourage community reciprocity and a stronger community healer model.
Our program offers training that prepares students to practice competently and responsibly. We support students in forming healthy relationships with instructors, preceptors, clients, fellow students, and other professional colleagues. We are committed to teaching students to support the sisterhood in midwifery.
​Our program prepares midwives for community based midwifery reflecting the midwifery model of care.
Lastly, we offer guidance and preparation for the Portfolio Evaluation process (PEP) for those Midwives interested in preparing for the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) board exam.
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Philosophy
At A Wombman's Way Warrior Midwife Training Program, our philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles of liberation, decolonization, and holistic care. We embrace the following core beliefs and values:
We believe in the inherent worth, dignity, and resilience of Black individuals and communities. We are committed to dismantling oppressive systems and structures that perpetuate racism, discrimination, and health disparities. Our philosophy centers on empowering Black individuals, celebrating their cultural heritage, and uplifting their voices and experiences.
Decolonization: We recognize the historical and ongoing impact of colonization on healthcare practices, particularly in the context of midwifery. We strive to decolonize the field of midwifery by challenging Eurocentric norms, deconstructing power imbalances, and honoring the wisdom of ancestral traditions. Our philosophy embraces diverse knowledge systems and seeks to restore the autonomy and agency of Black families in their birthing journeys.
Holistic Care: We view pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as transformative and interconnected experiences that encompass the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of individuals and families. Our philosophy emphasizes the importance of providing holistic care that addresses the unique needs, beliefs, and values of each person. We recognize that healthcare should go beyond the clinical aspects and encompass emotional support, cultural sensitivity, and informed decision-making.
Cultural Affirmation: We celebrate and honor the diverse cultural practices, birthing traditions, and family structures within the Black community. Our philosophy embraces cultural affirmation, recognizing that culturally relevant care promotes better health outcomes and fosters a sense of pride, connection, and empowerment. We prioritize building trust and creating safe spaces where individuals and families can express their identities and have their experiences validated.
Collaborative Partnerships: We value collaboration and recognize that lasting change is achieved through collective efforts. Our philosophy emphasizes building meaningful partnerships with communities, grassroots organizations, and advocacy groups. We actively engage in community-driven initiatives, amplify the voices of marginalized groups, and work together to address systemic barriers and disparities.
Lifelong Learning: We believe in the power of continuous learning and growth. Our philosophy encourages critical thinking, self-reflection, and ongoing professional development for both students and faculty. We embrace evidence-based practices while acknowledging the importance of ancestral wisdom and traditional knowledge. We strive to cultivate a culture of curiosity, open-mindedness, and innovation within our educational program.
Through our liberation-focused, decolonized, and holistic philosophy, we aspire to transform the field of midwifery, elevate the birthing experiences of Black families, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of communities. We are dedicated to fostering a community of midwives who embody these values and principles, and who are committed to advocating for birth and parenting justice.