Meet the People Behind Our Work

Håfa Adai, Stevie Merino (Sol and Roots) is a proud queer indigenous islander woman (CHamoru & Boricua) raised in the diaspora of the LBC. She wears many different hats as a: cultural practitioner, community organizer, anthropologist, birthworker, IBCLC, speaker, and trainer. She has been a doula since 2015. Stevie has been a community organizer & activist since 14 years old, her politics shape the way she approaches life & this work. She is a mami to a 7 year old. Stevie is the Executive Director, and co-founder of the Birthworkers of Color Collective and doula of Color training.

Christina Lares (she/her) is a Queer Chicana Mexicana Birthworker, Sexologist, Pole Dancer, Autism Mama, Writer, and Entrepreneur. She believes Otro Mundo es Posible and it is rooted in pleasure, joy, and community. Christina followed her passion of sexual and reproductive health education to San Diego State University where she studied public health and became an active community organizer on and off campus. In December 2015, she graduated with her MPH in Health Promotion and MA in Latin American Studies and now specializes in pleasure justice advocacy, lactation education, and holistic reproductive health.

At the height of the pandemic, Christina gave birth to her first child and shortly after completed full spectrum doula training with Birthworkers of Color Collective (BWOCC). In 2023, Christina was hired as the first full-time staff of BWOCC to lead their new Abortion Doula Program. More recently she was promoted to Programs Manager where she supports all of BWOCC’s programming. When Christina is not mentoring doulas or organizing with BWOCC, she is creating pleasure justice and sensual dance offerings through her business Flowtanica LLC. She loves creating music playlists, watching 90’s cult classic movies, playing backgammon, and is obsessed with Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

Shondriane is a mission-driven, equity-focused Operations Manager and full-spectrum doula with cross-sector experience in tech, finance, and corporate social responsibility. She has a talent for anticipating challenges and building scalable systems that work. Shondriane brings the kind of energy, clarity, and strategic alignment that makes teams stronger, missions move forward, and big visions possible- without losing sight of the people behind the work

Celeste is a Queer Afro Indigenous member of the Birth Workers of Color Collective. She is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for nurturing and empowering others. At the core of her identity, she proudly embraces the roles of a mother, birth worker, and yoga teacher. These profound experiences have not only shaped Celeste personal journey but have also inspired her mission to support and guide individuals through transformative life moments.

As a certified Kundalini Reiki Practitioner, Celeste channels the universal life force energy to facilitate healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Her connection to the ancient wisdom of Shamanic practices further enhances Celestes' ability to guide individuals through their unique paths of self-discovery and healing.

At the heart of her approach is the belief that community is a powerful force for growth and well-being. Celeste integrates this philosophy into her work, fostering a sense of unity and support among those she serves. Whether guiding expectant parents through the journey of childbirth or leading prenatal yoga sessions, creating spaces where individuals can connect, heal, and flourish together.

Additionally, her commitment to community is reflected in her role as a Certified Lactation Education Specialist (CLES), where advocating for and providing essential education on breast/chestfeeding and maternal health. Through this advocacy, aiming to contribute to the well-being of both parents and their infants is her goal.

In every aspect of Celeste work, she is dedicated to creating a harmonious balance between ancient wisdom and modern understanding. Inviting you to join her on this holistic journey towards self-discovery, healing, and the creation of a supportive community that nourishes the mind, body, and soul.

Andrea Howard (she/her) is a full-spectrum birthworker, parent, placenta encapsulator, and budding herbalist. She was raised and still currently resides in so-called Long Beach. She grew up in this area and built a life surrounded by the people she holds dear. She identifies as a queer Black woman. 

Having navigated her challenges with the medical system and understanding the importance of advocacy, Andrea trained with Birth Workers of Color in 2020, focusing on birth work as activism and providing trauma-informed care. Building meaningful connections with the communities she has worked with is a privilege, and she's truly honored to be a part of their journeys.

You'll often find her dancing with friends, experimenting with new recipes, or diving into DIY projects when she's not supporting families. Exploring and discovering new things brings joy and adventure to her life, and she believes life is a grand adventure full of excitement and possibilities.

Raina Beigler (she/her) is a Queer Black collage artist, herbalist, postpartum and abortion doula and member of the Birthworkers of Color Collective since 2021. Raina was raised in the Bay area and now calls Long Beach her home. Having dealt with her own reproductive and mental health issues, she is determined to help others get the support and adequate care they deserve. Like a true aquarius, Raina is always creating and envisioning a better world for all.

Gilayna Santos is a writer, creative, and proud member of the first Guam-based doula cohort through the Birthworkers of Color Collective. She brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work as a writer, marketing consultant, and creative producer, and now serves as the Guam Program Coordinator for BWOCC. Whether through song, storytelling, or strategy, Gilayna is committed to illuminating systemic gaps in care and advocating for community-rooted solutions. She recently co-led the Choose Me campaign, where she co-wrote a song and screenplay for a music video amplifying the voices of children affected by addiction. Her work is deeply informed by her lived experience as a mother, a diasporic child of Guam who grew up in the Bay Area and returned home as an adult, and a Chamoru/Filipina woman navigating healing and reclamation.

Bethany's career is driven by a commitment to health equity, specifically understanding the environmental and social factors impacting pregnant people and children. As a public health research scientist and birthworker, her dedication to addressing health disparities within vulnerable communities extends to actively fighting for reproductive and environmental liberation.

Bethany aims to mitigate health inequities by providing culturally competent and affirming care to support the LGBTQIA+ community and those with intersecting identities who often face discrimination and adverse health outcomes in the healthcare system. When the community's collective voices are heard, it ensures not only equitable access to resources but also that they have all they need to thrive. Bethany's work stands at the intersection of understanding systemic challenges and direct community action. As a grant writer, Bethany is honored to support Birthworkers of Color Collective in their mission.

Nakita is a Virginia native who enjoys reading, traveling, and experiencing new cultures through food and history. Her current hobbies include reading all types of books and trying new “things”… always open to exploring a new (non-dangerous) side quest. Nakita became involved with the reproductive justice movement in 2014 and has since gone on to serve as an abortion fund volunteer, collective member, and coalition director, among other roles within social justice and reproductive justice spaces. Nakita is also a novice herbalist and has trained as an abortion and death doula. Nakita is a parent to two humans and one furry puppy girl named “Baby”. In the spirit realm, Nakita is a karmic oracle, conjurer, and dreamer. On any given day, Nakita enjoys relaxing, taking naps, eating really good foods, and being outside near trees or water.

Jasmine Godinez is a multi-faceted professional based in Long Beach, California. As a Full Spectrum Doula, Medi-cal Doula, Certified Lactation Educator, Artist, Designer, and Mother, she embodies a creative approach to wellness. Jasmine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts with a specialization in graphic design. Through her business, mirroredheart LLC, she offers education, workshops, and full spectrum support to folks navigating through the myriad of life's transitions. Jasmine has been a Birthworkers of Color Collective member since 2022.

Tessa came on board with the collective in 2023 with over 20 years of Medical Billing/ Practice Management experience and a strong desire to help pave the way billing for Doula services in the state of California. In college she worked as an Obstetrics Technician at Flagstaff Medical Center in Northern Arizona and has always felt passionately about reproductive rights and birth support. She is tenacious, passionate and steadfast in holding insurance companies accountable and in compliance with Doula billing and reimbursement guidelines. Tessa is a wife and mother who lives on a ranch in San Diego, California where she has chickens and grows her own produce. It is the highlight of her professional career to work with the collective and proudly hold the title Doula Biller.