Hi there, Kris here—

Welcome to the Novant BIPOC Doulas site. I’m the creator behind NBD. I’m wife to my very best friend, homeschooling mother to our five children, certified doula, certified lactation counselor®, and the founder of Mother of Ease—a Black maternal and family health company based in Charlotte, NC. I was born for many works, this I know—one of them, to write, and another, to uncover everyday Black stories. And the NBD site gives birth to a narrative worth penning.

Black, Indigenous, and of-color doulas—and Black, Indigenous, and of-color birthing folks—deserve to be valued and visible. And I’m committed to increasing access to services and places that invite our connection to and care for one another. This is why I created the Novant BIPOC Doula site. Here, NBDs can step into this thoughtfully-crafted light and shine for the community who seeks their presence. Each day in North Carolina, BIPOC parents are welcomed at Novant hospitals—and each day, the invaluable skills of Novant-verified BIPOC doulas are necessary.

Whether you’ve come here seeking the support of a doula, or you’re a doula hoping to be seen here and found, know this: NBD was lovingly written for you. May it serve as a welcome script between those who offer care, and those who need it most.

In solidarity,

Kris Elle | Mother of Ease