Season 1 Episode 4 features an interview with Chanel Porchia Albert. We discuss how she became a doula, why she started Ancient Song Doula Services, the role of doulas in and beyond birthwork, and how Ancient Song is pivoting during this pandemic moment. We also chat about intergenerational hope and birthwork as political work for both the birthing person and the doula supporting them.

Chanel Porchia Albert Bio:
Commissioner Chanel L. Porchia Albert CD, CPD, CLC, CHHC is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Ancient Song Doula Services: a reproductive health organization of over 70 full-spectrum community-based doulas focused on providing resources and full-spectrum doula services to women of color and marginalized communities throughout NYC and Northern New Jersey. She is a certified lactation counselor, midwifery assistant, and vegan chef who has served on various advisory boards throughout the country. When she is not working on legislative policy or facilitating workshops, you can find her spending time with her six children.

References During the Episode:

Follow Chanel (@chanel_porchia) and Ancient Song Doula Services (@ancientsong) on Instagram
Learn more about the Listen to Me Now! Campaign
If you live in NYC and need a care package/box from Ancient Song, email info@ancientsongdoulaservices.com
Donate to Ancient Song via PayPal or via their Amazon wishlist
Stay tuned for announcements from Ancient Song about the Virtual Decolonizing Birth Conference in Fall 2020 and recipients of the Juneteenth Birthworker Seed Fund
Young Lords takeover of Lincoln Hospital in 1970 on WNYC

Questions to consider after the episode:

How can we center intergenerational hope in birthwork and community organizing?
How to engage people who experience oppression and marginalization in political organizing and policy work? In world building work? How do we meet folks where they are so they too can bring their voices and experiences into the processes that shape our world?
Birthwork is political work. For birthworkers: what is the work you can do to address unequal birth outcomes and experiences?

Hosted by Taja Lindley
Produced by Colored Girls Hustle
Music, Soundscape and Audio Engineering by Emma Alabaster

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For more information visit BirthJustice.nyc

This podcast is made possible, in part, by the Narrative Power Stipend - a grant funded by Forward Together for members of&

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