Gifted Hands International

08/31/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE—REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE!

Join Kay Matthews and The Shades of Blue Project for:

Beyond the Silence: Understanding Postpartum Psychosis in Black Communities

🗓️ Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM Central Time
💻 Virtual | Free Registration

Postpartum psychosis does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, income, or social status—and the Black community is not exempt. This urgent town hall will bring together maternal mental health professionals, advocates, and voices of lived experience to help our community:

- Understand postpartum psychosis
- Recognize the warning signs
- Respond appropriately during a crisis
- Address stigma and misinformation
- Explore treatment, recovery, and family support

Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency, but with timely, informed, and compassionate care, recovery is possible.

Join the conversation. Learn the signs. Help protect mothers and families.

💬 Comment “INFO" below, and we will send you the registration link.

You can also register directly at: https://bit.ly/PPPTOWNHALL2026

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Every year in America, families lose mothers to a maternal health crisis this country still hasn't solved. Black birthing people die at 3–4x the rate of white birthing people — not because of biology, but because of who's missing from the room when it matters most.

That's why we built The Doula Lab. We've graduated three cohorts of trained doulas and perinatal health workers, partnered with Aetna Better Health of Illinois, and earned a Birth Equity Initiative grant from the State of Illinois.

And the need keeps growing. Families are reaching out faster than we can onboard them. Our events draw hundreds of guests, and we've reached over 1,000 people — adults and children — through our programming this year alone. St. Clair County shows up for this work every time. St. Clair County needs The Doula Lab.

We're raising $50,000 to keep training doulas, finish our platform, and keep this work fully funded for the families who need it right now.

👉 Give what you can, and share this post with someone who needs to see it: https://gofund.me/719127776

08/31/2026

We had a WONDERFUL time at the Chicago South Side Birth Center Initiative Latch & Stroll!

One of our favorite parts of the day?

LOOKING AROUND AND SEEING OUR ALUMNI EVERYWHERE.

Some were with us at the GHI tent. Some were representing their own doula businesses. Others were serving alongside different organizations.

Different spaces. Same mission. COMMUNITY.

And then there was a full-circle moment.

Last year, we met Latisha Ellison at Latch & Stroll who was interested in becoming a doula.

This year? She came back as a GHI graduate AND volunteered alongside us.

That’s the impact.

We’re not just training doulas. We’re building birthworkers who show up, take up space, build businesses, serve their communities, and become leaders.

Watching our alumni grow from curious about birthwork to certified doulas, entrepreneurs, advocates, and community leaders is the work.

And we are so proud.

To our alumni: KEEP GOING. We see you. We’re proud of you. And we’re honored to be part of your journey.

Chicago South Side Birth Center Initiative, thank you for creating space for our community to connect, serve, and grow together.

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

We are SOOOO proud of our Alumni!!!!

08/27/2026

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A CAREER IN BIRTHWORK?

Join us for a Gifted Hands International Virtual Info Session to explore what a career in birthwork as a doula can look like, including the different paths, roles, and opportunities in the field.

We'll also share FREE guidance on choosing the right training program, what to look for in a certification course, and how to ensure a program aligns with your goals and values.

We're offering TWO upcoming sessions:

Monday, September 14 at 12:00 PM
Monday, September 28 at 7:00 PM

Choose the session that works best for you and learn more about our certification program, curriculum, clinical training, and what sets the GHI experience apart.

Higher Standards of Care Start Here.

Use the link below to register for the info session date you want to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there!