Our Team

Kenda Sutton-El, Founding Executive Director

Kenda’s greatest pleasure as a reproductive healthcare worker has been watching women become confident and excited about the birth and early parenting of their children. She firmly believes in the power of redirecting your fears and anxieties into finding new, empowering ways to experience birth and parenting.

Kenda Sutton-EL is the esteemed Founder and Executive Director of Birth In Color, an organization at the forefront of advancing Reproductive Sexual Justice, Birth Justice, and Black Maternal Health. A native of rural Virginia, Kenda is dedicated to addressing Structural Racism and advocating for incarcerated pregnant individuals, actively working to combat human rights violations.

An influential activist, Kenda specializes in training individuals of color to become doulas and conducts racial bias training for healthcare systems and professionals. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, Kenda is also a Doula Trainer, Diversity Equity Inclusion Consultant, and Policy Analyst, showcasing her multidimensional expertise.

Kenda Sutton-EL emerged as a trailblazing leader in Virginia, initiating awareness campaigns and impactful initiatives for Black Maternal Health. As the Chair of the Virginia Doula Taskforce, Chair of the Greater Richmond Regional Maternal Child Health Taskforce, and a member of the Virginia Maternal and Data Outcomes Taskforce, she plays a pivotal role in shaping maternal healthcare policies.

In recognition of her contributions, Kenda had the honor of participating in Vice President Kamala Harris's roundtable discussion on Reproductive Health. She co-founded "Black Maternal Health Week" in 2019 and spearheaded the campaign for Doula Medicaid Reimbursement in Virginia.

Kenda's dedication to reproductive justice extends to numerous accolades and acknowledgments. Notably, she was a 2019 Gamechanger Nominee, creator of "Herstory" in partnership with Urban One Radio in 2020, and received the "Women of the Year" ACHI Magazine Award, Urban One Hometown Hero Award, and recognition by RTD for Visionary Black History Month in 2021. In 2023, she was a nominee for 804 Woman Making History and Small Deeds, Big Impact. In 2024, Kenda Sutton-EL was honored with the Health Equity Advocate of the Year award by Families USA, underscoring her impactful contributions to the field of maternal health.

Maternal and Reproductive Justice Advocate

  • Sequoi Phipps-Hawkins

    Director of Communications & Marketing

    Sequoi is passionate about providing doula care and quality maternal healthcare to women of color, as well as helping advance all of the efforts in the fight for reproductive justice. She believes that though we are making strides to improve maternal and reproductive healthcare in the US, we still have a lot of work to do and she is adamant about being a part of that work.

  • Galina Varchena

    Director of Policy

    Galina has a vast background in working on developing policies and legislation centering reproductive rights in Virginia. She has also served as an attorney in her own Private Practice. Galina is passionate about policy and is a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and justice.

  • Tyanna Haynes

    Administrative Assistant

    Tyanna is deeply passionate about maternal health and reproductive rights, believing in the fundamental right of every individual to make informed choices about their bodies and reproductive futures. With a background in administrative support and a strong commitment to social justice causes, she is excited to contribute to Birth In Color in its mission to empower and support individuals in navigating their reproductive journeys in all areas.

Birth in Color RVA

Birth in Color RVA

  • Ashley Shaw

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Dana Williams

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Car Seat Technician

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

    Placenta Encapsulation

  • Alexis Jackson

    Full Spectrum Doula

    Car Seat Technician

    Placental Encapsulation

    LCSW

  • Indee Jordan

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Khalyson Mcduffie

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Car Seat Technician

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Amber Heiskill

    Birth and Postpartum Doula, BSW

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Tameka Parker

    Birth and Postpartum Doula, RN

  • Chelsi Watson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Ebony Allen

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Ashley Gopaul

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Sequoi Phipps-Hawkins

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Kadijah Scott

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Latifah Crenshaw

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Alem Zahai

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Toccara Wilson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Maliqua White

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ashley Bullock

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Chelsea Bolling

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Danielle Adams

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Darneshia Beavers

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Keisha Tolliver

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • LaToya Barnes

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Letia Bishop

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tonya Howe

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tyanna Haynes

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Zaria Christmas-Jackson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Cherelle Lewis Seals

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Diamond Quarels

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Krystal Pinckney

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Sheevah Amen

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Unitha Cherry

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Bilingual: English/Spanish

  • Shanteny Jackson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Bilingual: English/Spanish

  • JaKerra Royster

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ashle Page

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Christen Pierre

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Courtney Maldonado

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Bilingual: English/Spanish

  • Crystal Hernandez

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Bilingual: English/Spanish

  • Cydney Koger

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Danita Mosely

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Dominique Eborn

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Khoredia Thiam

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • L. Nicole Ervin

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Makita Harper- Byrd

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Marquisha Saunders- Jenkins

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Milan Burton

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Queen Lee-Mayes

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Robyn Howell

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Shamel Green

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Xadia Haskell

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Mikaela Smith

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth in Color LYH & Farmville

Birth in Color LYH & Farmville

  • Megan Gomez

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Devonda Chilton

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Brandy Witcher

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Travina Cobbs

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Vanessa Williams

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Jasmine Cummings

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Marjorie Rose

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jackie Green-August

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Farmville

  • LaJordan Hamlin

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Farmville

  • Tiante Preston

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Farmville

  • Tamara Hamlett

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Farmville

  • Sheryl Wade

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

    Lynchburg

  • Makia Lee

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Aja Rhodes

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Zel Farrow

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Nina Polley

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Kamika Wright

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Takeisha Bethel

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Kelly Word

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth in Color Hampton Roads

Birth in Color Hampton Roads

  • Nataki Hill

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Imani Glenn

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Malika Traynham

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tiffany Major

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ashlee Eley

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Nicole Jones

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Kezia Freeman

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Charmaine Henry

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Cenedra Sutton

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Alexis Patterson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Kelly Petties

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Danielle Tigs

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tahjanek Deloatch

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Precious Flowers

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ashanti Wilson Hale

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tiarra Thomas

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Donna Watkins

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Hope Strachan

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Sherain David

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jamylah Boone

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Justice Edwards

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Adia Holland

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Donica Miller

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Iyana Powel

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Nicole Collins

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Swanteshiaya Wilson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth in Color Eastern Shore

Birth in Color Eastern Shore

  • Elisha Kees

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Inez Byrd

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jamaya Jones

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Rossetalina Delouche

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Taylor White

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Yves Gregoire

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth in Color DMV

Birth in Color DMV

  • Hanna Teklu

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Isis Findley

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Breonna Riddick

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Dion Trent

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jdody Misidor

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Staci Geen

    Birth and Postpartum Doula, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

  • Shayna Marlowe

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jazmine Williams

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Kenniesha Bethea

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Reteek Barnes

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Dominique Garrett-Jones

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Venette Pierre

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Malikah Mara

    Birth and Postpartum Doua

Birth in Color Roanoke

Birth in Color Roanoke

  • Latonya Bolden

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Paiton Wainwright

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Derishia McCray

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Krystal Lawson

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

Birth in Color SWVA

Birth in Color SWVA

  • Alexis Gravely

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Christle Fallen

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Juanita Kincy

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Keiondra Neely

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ketina Myers

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Latisha Inge

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tamika Tali

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Ayzia Kee

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jerika Barley-Bey

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Latoya Matthews

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Shassadi Moore

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Sheryl Wade

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Tereka Greene

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Lashawn Farmer

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Lakeisha King

    Birth and Postpartum Doula

  • Jennifer Canada

    Birth and Postpartum Doula