Collective Staff

Amina Mirza (she/her) is a full-spectrum doula, parent, henna artist, and midwife to be. She was born and raised in greater Los Angeles and currently resides in Orange, CA. She is a mixed-race, queer Muslim woman, her mother migrated from India with her British and Indian parents. Amina's father carries both Ashkenazi Jewish and Muslim Indian heritage.

Amina’s passion for birthwork began in 2017 after the birth of her son and the loss of her mother. She believes in the significance of trauma-informed care, culturally and religiously sensitive care, and the crucial role played by midwives and doulas in addressing the escalating maternal mortality rates and birth trauma in the United States. Dedicated to serving all marginalized groups, she is committed to comprehending the intersectionality within birthing people and their families.

She is most inspired by the strong and confident women in her life, including her grandmothers, mother, sisters, and aunts. They encouraged her to speak up for those who cannot, stand firm in her beliefs, and love unconditionally. Activism has been instilled into Amina from a young age. As a birth worker, Amina is compelled to take a stand against injustices, refusing to remain passive when I witness disparities around me. Her commitment to activism extends beyond personal battles; she is dedicated to uplifting and supporting others, recognizing the collective responsibility we share in creating a more just and equitable society.

In her free time, Amina enjoys karaoke with her sisters, exploring new restaurants with her partner, and attending live music events.

Carmen Elida is a Black and Mexican queer femme, born and raised in San Diego, CA. She is an herbalist, birthworker, multi-disciplinary artist, storyteller, Curanderismo apprentice, and so much more! Carmen Elida is also the creator and owner of Duality Heart Work, an apothecary curated for Queer, Trans* and BIPOC community members.

She comes from a long lineage of care & community workers — this has both directly and indirectly shaped the way that Carmen moves in the world and relates to all living beings. Carmen uses her ancestral and personal life experiences, along with her herbal and creative process, to explore questions around identity, liberation, dignity, respect and community-centered care.

Carmen completed her first doula training with the Birthworkers of Color Collective in 2019. Since then, she has continued to grow and evolve alongside the organization, and is beyond excited to be joining the BWOCC team as staff (and in her hometown!).

In her free time, Carmen loves to dance, sing, read sci-fi and fantasy, and spend time in the outdoors with her family and pup.

Christina Lares (she/her) is a Full Spectrum Doula, Certified Lactation Consultant, Reproductive Justice Advocate, Pole Dancer, Baby Mama, Writer, UX Designer, and Entrepreneur. She believes Otro Mundo es Posible and it is rooted in pleasure, joy, and community. She identifies as a Queer Xicana Mexicana born and raised in Southern California.

Christina became a first time mama at the height of the pandemic and in December 2020 she completed a virtual doula training with birthworkersofcolor and has been an active member of the collective ever since. She specializes in lactation education, holistic fertility, supporting young parents, parents with disabilities, marginalized sex workers, and families using reproductive technologies.

When Christina is not mentoring doulas or organizing workshops with BWOCC, she is supporting her doula clients and leading body confidence, sensual dance, and self love offerings through her business Flowtanica LLC. She loves attending live music events, playing backgammon, late night taco runs, and 90’s cult classic movies.

Experienced leader in the nonprofit sector with a specialization in fundraising and nonprofit development.
Over the past decade I've developed key coalitions to build crucial relationships with a shared sense of purpose. I've helped domestic and international organizations start, sustain and increase capacity to meet strategical goals within housing, social justice, healthcare, education, and economic development.

Joyell Arvella, JD (she/her) has been a traditional birthkeeper who provides womb-to-tomb care for 20 years. She also supports communities as a medicine woman, teacher, and writer. While Joyell no longer works in international human rights law full time, her background in law, plus racial and gender equity strategy, informs her approach to reproductive autonomy. For 13 years, she has worked with nonprofits and government agencies to address the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, criminal justice, and reproductive care for the Global Majority. After sitting with griots and elders to learn the overlaps of midwifery, plant wisdom, and African spiritual practices on 5 continents, Joyell created the first birth worker residency in Senegal, Wombs of Wata.

When she is not supporting wombs, you can find her soaking in a bathtub somewhere in the world, writing (Writer in the Tub), in her garden, or learning another language. Joyell is currently learning isiXhosa and Hindi, and is proficient in French and Spanish.

Shondriane is a dynamic Software Engineer who leverages her business management background to deliver innovative solutions that drive company value and empower the community. With experience leading global teams, she helps businesses scale and achieve growth by aligning technology with strategic goals through effective communication and stakeholder collaboration. Shondriane is deeply committed to social justice, actively volunteering for nonprofits that empower marginalized communities and leverage technology for social good. When she's not coding, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and exploring the world around her. Shondriane is excited to bring her unique skills and perspective to the Birthworkers of Color Collective to advance health equity and contribute to meaningful change.

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.

Tessa Mocerino has been a medical biller for over 20 years. Throughout college she worked on the Labor and Delivery unit of Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona as an Obstetric's Technician. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum have always had a special place in her heart and she is passionate to have taken on the role as the biller for the collective.