MEET THE CO-FOUNDERS & CO-ENVISIONERS

Stevie Merino aka Sol & Roots Doula, Stevie is a cofounder & the Executive Director of the Birthworkers of Color Collective. Stevie was born & raised in diaspora, specifically Long Beach Cali by way of Guahan (Guam) and Borinquen (Puerto Rico).  Stevie has been a community organizer & activist for most of her life. She is a queer single mami, an anthropologist, a full spectrum birthworker, a speaker, trainer, and islander!  She approaches this work with all the humbleness & gratitude & on the shoulders of all her ancestors who have brought her to this work. Stevie hopes to continue to serve & increase accessibility, representation, & create spaces for Queer birthing people & People of Color.

Blanca Diaz is the creatrix of Mama Maiz. They share their services & space as a birth assistance, herbalist, activist and organizer in Long Beach, CA. Their work is rooted in understanding historical trauma & connecting to ancestors resilience. Passions within the birth realm include abortion support, consent within birthwork, supporting gender fluid and queer families. Blanca also hosts circles, workshops & medicine with community at their autonomous community space  Flora y Tierra. Their work prioritizes QTBIPOC communities behind the intention to gather folks within the depths and love of exploring earth based knowledge and traditional ways. This work is inspired by the stars, mycelium, plants, winged and the unseen.