We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

Hello, I am a holistic birth doula, childbirth educator, and soon to be HypnoBirthing practitioner. I take much pride in helping my community. Maternal health in this country is currently considered at crisis levels, snd this is exponentially more for Black women. Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die during childbirth. 60% of those deaths are preventable. The continuous support of a doula helps women have better birth’s, and birth outcomes. I help women achieve safe and informed births by providing information/education, emotional support, physical support, and advocacy.
Birth is a very sacred time during any woman’s life, and it should be protected at all cost.Too many times women leave such a natural process with unnecessary trauma and negative experiences. This passes on to our little babies that are birthed from our wombs, and the cycles continue until someone finally decides no more, and take Back their power. The only way to do that is to become educated- more than what our doctor’s and Google can provide, and work on releasing fears and healing as a woman. My mama’s leave with not only confidence, and knowledge, but life skills.
Birthwork is honestly bigger than me, it is a movement; a movement for reproductive justice, and Black women being able to birth their babies safely and without trauma. It’s healing generational trauma, and understanding birth is not just something you do, it is community building, and should be taken seriously and with pride. Birth is the beginning of every single person on this earth. How you enter the world has a massive impact on you as a person, especially since it is known that babies start learning in the womb. So my question is, ” what are you teaching your baby about the environment they are about to be born into?”…. and we roll from there.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I have been in business for the past year, however my love for helping others is who I have always been since I was a little girl. I have always been drawn to women and children, so much that I started my journey off as a Pediatric Nurse before I was called to this work. I believe it was a necessary piece of my journey to understand both medical birth and natural physiological birth. I have a deep appreciation for the later, and honestly it is what makes birthwork a challenge. It is a challenge to unlearn, relearn and apply. But it is within the unlearning, that I see the biggest changes, and the most growth in families. I just remain consistent with the education, planting the seeds, patient, and extend so much grace, and love as others come to realization. I love it here, even on my toughest days! We are different over here!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I love to eat good food and I love nature. Texas has a whole lotta that! I would take my friend to something outdoorsy, there are tons of nature preserves in the area, lakes, cabins and parks. Im a sucker for a picnic with R&B and neosoul music, paint and canvas, drinks and a charcuterie board from my favorite Local company Coco and Cheese. I also love a good pop up museum, with a “do it for the gram” moment, that is always so much fun. I always take friends to the uptown, and or bishop arts area to eat.My favorite restaurant in bishop arts is Vegan Food House! Their food is top notch and the atmosphere is such a vibe. I live for the vibes!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Wow, where do I begin? There are so many people, friends and family that I would love to dedicate this shoutout to. They have been so supportive on this journey in their own special ways. I have to start with my parents, my mother’s birth story is a part of my why. My sister and I are 7 years apart due to a emergency complicated pregnancy. This resulted in my mother having to stay in the hospital longer than my sister who was almost 2 months premature; literally fighting for her life. This left my mother, who was a young 23 year old woman with fear and trauma related to birth. My mother was not planning on having anymore children, and through bravery and love decided to have little ol me. I am forever grateful she chose to have me. She is my biggest supporter, and she and the many other women that face or have faced pre eclampsia are a huge part of my why.

Other people I would like to shout out is my pops Larry, and my big sister Tiffany for their consistent words of encouragement, and just for being beams of light in my life. They truly keep me fighting for our community.

I would lastly like to thank “Bae”who keeps me so level headed, and reels me back in on my worse days. A truly amazing other half. I am also surrounded by an amazing group of women- Tisha, Raissa, Jasmine, Buzz, and Tracsean- you all inspire, love, and keep me going in your own special ways. I love you all dearly, your words and support mean so much!

I cannot forget my mentor- Sierra McClain with Sankofa Mama Birth Services- a literal gem in my life. A major pillar in my birth work journey. Forever grateful.

Website: alegacybirth.com

Instagram: instagram.com/legacyhealerbirthservices

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelegacybirthhealer/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Image Credits
Dulce Jasmine for headshots

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.