TEAM
Perinatal Equity Experts
Beloved Birth Collective is Black-founded and midwifery-led, built by people who understand what’s at stake and have the multi-disciplinary expertise needed to catalyze transformation.
Beloved Birth Staff
Jyesha Wren, CNM, MS
Founding Director, Beloved Birth Collective & Beloved Birth Black Centering (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda Health System & Beloved Birth Collective
Area of Expertise: Midwifery
Years in Field: 10
Jyesha Wren, CNM, is a midwife, mother, perinatal health strategist, researcher, and author innovating solutions for health equity, birth justice, and liberation. She is a practicing midwife at Alameda Health System in Oakland California, and the Founding Director of both Beloved Birth Collective and the Beloved Birth Black Centering group perinatal care program.
Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Jyesha identifies as a mixed race Black woman, with white midwestern and Black southern roots. She was born at home into the hands of a midwife in New Orleans Louisiana, and then transplanted to Humboldt County in Northern California to grow up as hippy kid in the redwood trees. Outside of work, Jyesha is a lover of nature and the dances of the African diaspora.
Jazné
Bembry
Operations, Project/Administrative Manager (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Beloved Birth Collective
Area of Expertise: Business Operations Management
Years in Field: 10+
Jazné is a project manager and operations professional who brings structure, care, and follow-through to Beloved Birth Collective's work. She helps turn ideas into action by coordinating projects, keeping teams aligned, and building the behind-the-scenes systems that support Beloved's work with families and communities.
Jazné’s Why
“As an aspiring Black mother, Beloved gives me hope for what pregnancy and birth can and should feel like. I believe Black families deserve to feel supported, informed, and cared for throughout their birth experience, and I love being able to use what I'm good at behind the scenes to help make that work possible.”Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Jazné is from Hampton, Virginia, with roots that stretch across the East Coast. She spent years moving back and forth between different places, so her sense of home has always been shaped by a mix of family, place, and the communities that raised her.
Beloved Birth Network
The Beloved Birth Collective brings together a dream team of community rooted perinatal experts to collaborate together on our perinatal care design, childbirth education materials, and bringing the Beloved Birth Black Centering program to life.
This network of trusted experts includes:
Midwives, Doctors, Public health professionals, Doulas, Lactation specialists, Functional nutritionists, Personal trainers, And more!
Amber Bell, CNM, IBCLC
Midwife (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda Health System
Area of Expertise: Midwifery, Lactation
Years in Field: 7
Amber is a mother of two amazing daughters, both born at home in Oakland. She loves reading, traveling, quilting, and discussing all things midwifery related. Her super power is active listening.
Amber’s Why
"One of the greatest joys in my life is being a midwife for my community. Reproductive justice is what drew me to midwifery and Beloved. Beloved is a space where we are dreaming up a model of reproductive health care that is revolutionary."Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Amber’s mother's family is from Jamaica and her father's family is from Mississippi. She was born and raised in California, originally from SoCal. She has lived in Oakland for the past 14 years.
Ursula Griffiths-Randolph, MD, MPH
Pediatrician, Beloved Babies Provider (She/Her/Hers)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda Health System
Area of Expertise: Public Health, Pediatrics
Years in Field: 5
Dr. Ursula is a general pediatrician in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a background in maternal and child health and is deeply committed to improving health outcomes for Black children and families in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Ursula’s Why
"I have been passionate about Black birth equity for many years, and I have been lucky to find a large and equally passionate community here in California! The work I get to do with Beloved is powerful—I have the privilege of meeting so many families and being one of the voices parents hear while preparing to welcome a new life. I am proud to serve Black babies and families, providing the care and attention they deserve."Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Dr. Ursula was born in Washington, D.C., raised in the D(M)V, and her parents are from Ghana.
Danielle Davis, MPA
Founding Director, Beloved Birth Collective & Beloved Birth Black Centering (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda County Public Health Department
Area of Expertise: Public Health
Years in Field: 10
Danielle is an Oakland native and brings expertise in program implementation, community partnerships, and perinatal health equity. With a deep commitment to improving outcomes for Black mothers and families, she brings both professional knowledge and lived experience to her work. Danielle is passionate about building systems of care that are culturally responsive, relationship-centered, and rooted in dignity, equity, and the belief that every family deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported.
Danielle’s Why
“I was drawn to birth equity through my own experiences navigating pregnancy and birth, which exposed me to challenges within the perinatal care system and strengthened my commitment to creating better experiences for Black mothers and families. I was drawn to Beloved specifically because of its commitment to celebrating Black birth, centering Black families, and creating a space where community, culture, connection, and respectful care are at the heart of the birth experience.”Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Danielle is a proud Black woman and Oakland, California native, deeply rooted in the culture, history, and resilience of the Black community. Her connection to Oakland and the broader African American community shapes her commitment to honoring the wisdom, strength, and traditions of Black families and carrying that legacy forward through her work.
Teila C.,
CPT
Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Instructor (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): AHS & Beloved Birth Collective
Area of Expertise: Midwifery
Years in Field: 10
Teila's passion is helping women stay connected to their bodies through pregnancy, prepare their bodies for birth, and use movement as a tool for healing and rebuilding strength postpartum. She believes intentional movement can support physical wellness, confidence, mental well-being, and a deeper connection to the body throughout motherhood. At Beloved Birth, she creates accessible movement experiences that support both Mom and baby.
Teila’s Why
"I was drawn to Beloved because of its commitment to bridging the racial disparities Black and Brown mothers face during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I believe every mother deserves culturally affirming care that supports her as a whole person, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I'm passionate about bringing movement into that support as a tool for connection, confidence, healing, and wellness for both Mom and baby."Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Teila was born and raised in the Bay Area. Her family roots are in Philadelphia and Texas, with ancestral roots throughout West and Central Africa.
Katiana Carey-Simms, CNM
Midwife, aspiring contributor to the collective (She/Her)
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda Health System
Area of Expertise: Midwifery
Years in Field: 11
Katiana was born and raised in Berkeley/Oakland and was called to midwifery in her late 20s, starting her path as a doula, homebirth/birth center midwife and now works in hospitals and clinics around the bay. She has a background in education, social justice, and enjoys the arts. In her free time she's parenting her baby boy, relaxing at a farmers market, or walking the lake with a loved one.
Katiana’s Why
“Black families are so deeply deserving of dignity and transformative care. With such a harrowing history in obstetrics, I feel it is my responsibility to bring joy, compassion, information, and deep love to our people throughout the unfolding of ourselves and our families.”Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Katiana is a Black, mixed, Bay Area native woman. Her father's folks are from Georgia, via the Atlantic slave trade and Indigenous peoples as well. Her mother's family is from the east coast via European colonialism. They are humble artists, activists, hood-hippies, and healers.
Monique Houston
Co-Facilitator, Family Support Case Manager
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Institutional Affiliation(s): Alameda County Public Health Department
Area of Expertise: Public Health
Years in Field: 15+
Monique brings an "Auntie Approach" to Beloved. She has 20 years of experience supporting families in Alameda County. Born and raised in East Oakland, she cares deeply about her community. Monique's care is warm, respectful, and nonjudgmental. She wants every family to feel seen, heard, and cared for. She believes families should lead their own care. Monique is there to listen, share resources, and walk beside each family with compassion and genuine care.
Monique’s Why
"I was drawn to birth equity because I want to make a positive difference in the health and well-being of Black mothers and babies in my community. I want to be a trusted resource for families who need support, guidance, and understanding. I know the impact of receiving support when you need it, and I want to offer that same care that I received to others. BeLoved is a place where I can turn my passion into meaningful work and help families feel supported, respected, and heard."Cultural Identity & Ancestral Roots
Monique is a proud Oakland native, with family rooted here for three generations. Monique’s family migrated from the South, with ancestral ties to New Orleans, Oklahoma, and Texas, shaping the culture, values, and resilience Monique carries today.
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