Erin A. Wimberly

Erin A. Wimberly (IG: @typical.e) is an able-bodied, cisgender, Afro-American birth worker, born and raised on Tongva land (greater Los Angeles area). She is the second of five children born to her parents, Michael and Kelly, number three of over twenty greats and grands born to Namon and Betty, and number two of eight greats and grands born to Berry and Octavia. These names and numbers are evoked to reveal the constitution of her Black family’s survival on turtle island, and to celebrate the

heritage of nourishment and protection that has accompanied them thus far in both the spiritual and physical realms.

E earned a Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Culture from UCLA. During this time, she read the biographical texts of authors living in the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Texts written by Maryse Condé, Léonora Miano, and members of the Négritude movement, made her conscious of the global community known as the African Diaspora. In an effort to be an active member of this community, one

that resists white supremacy by elevating Black thought and culture, she sought out Black spaces in Los Angeles, and was invited to be a part of an intergenerational collective of cultural organizers known as We Love Leimert. As a member of WLL, she has co-organized voter registration events, a six-month online production called the Village Talk, and, with the help of Jeong Stransky, a two-day conference

called Solidarity and Communion, which was an event that sought to create a space of healing, protection and renewal between Black and Asian communities, during a time where hate crimes against both groups were experiencing heightened levels of media coverage. In October of 2019, Erin’s formal education as a birth worker began with a culturally competent, evidence-based training created by the Birthworkers of Color Collective. After completing the training organized by Stevie Merino and Blanca Diaz, E served as the volunteer coordinator for cohorts six and seven, then served as a mentor in the inaugural mentorship program organized by Yohualitztli, Maria Lozano and Desiree Magsombol in 2021. Current bedside services include contracting as a birth doula, providing overnight care for families who have littles ranging from newborn to six months, presence if there is a loss, and providing referrals for those that want support with abortions. Placenta encapsulation is performed sparingly, as preference is

given to the tradition of burying the organ.