EVENT UPDATE: The Day in the Life of a Doula workshop is now rescheduled to Wednesday, July 10th!

This workshop will offer an interactive and insightful look into a day in the life of a doula. During this two-hour session, medical staff, clinicians, and community health workers will gain a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities doulas fulfill within both community and hospital settings.

Participants will explore common perceptions and potential biases about how doulas collaborate with medical professionals, as well as practical strategies for improving teamwork and support during labor and delivery.

Meet the Facilitator:

Chanel is an experienced Full-Spectrum, Community-Based, Certified Holistic Perinatal Support Professional and a respected voice in Black Birth and Reproductive Justice. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Georgia Community Doula Coalition (GCDC), a statewide organization working to expand access to culturally affirming, community-based perinatal care.

Chanel led the successful implementation of the Georgia Medicaid Doula Pilot and has contributed to major efforts in policy advocacy, workforce development, and Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement for doulas. Through her leadership, GCDC is helping shape a future where doulas are recognized, valued, and sustainably supported as essential, skilled professionals in maternal health. Her work bridges grassroots care and health system reform—advancing Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement, workforce development, and hospital collaboration.

In addition to her service at GCDC, Chanel co-founded The Perinatal Consulting Girlz, where she mentors and trains doulas and supports emerging organizations, programs, and initiatives through strategic planning and fund development. Her advocacy has been featured in outlets including CBS, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She speaks powerfully on topics such as reproductive & birth justice, maternal mental health, doula policy, and care innovation—continuing to shape the field and bridge the gap between grassroots efforts and policy reform.

At the heart of Chanel’s work is “Joie”—a guiding principle of joy that fuels her vision. Through every initiative, she brings an infectious optimism and unwavering commitment to equity, resilience, and liberation. Her mission is not only to improve outcomes, but to ensure that birth is honored as a sacred, supported, and empowering experience for every family.