Meet Cohort 6

Candius “Aje”, CBD, BFPC, Herbalist, Olorisa
Workin Rootz Sacred Birth
Detroit, Michigan

I’m a native of Portland, Oregon. After moving to Detroit in 2019, I followed my passions of becoming an urban farmer, herbalist, beekeeper and food justice advocate. Food advocacy work led me to birth justice, and my birth work journey began. I am also priestess in Yoruba spirituality and a mother to 3 girls. In my spare time, I run a nonprofit urban community farm called Workin Rootz with the focus to combat food apartheid and promote food sovereignty.

Personal Mantra: Bit by bit, I can achieve ANYTHING!

Personal Mantra: I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. - Angela Davis "Peace, Light & Love"

Michelle Smith, Doula, LES

PAIL Advocate
Portland, Oregon

Michelle Smith, Certified Doula, LES, and PAIL Advocate, serves as the Program Manager for BPI’s Sacred Roots Doula & Lactation Program. After three years as an Independent Contracted Doula with Sacred Roots, Michelle embraced the opportunity to contribute to BPI in a new capacity.

As a passionate Doula and Lactation Program Manager, she is dedicated to supporting families throughout their journey from pregnancy to postpartum.

With a background in customer service, medical billing, and homeschooling, Michelle takes great pride and joy in serving her family and community. Outside of her advocacy work, she enjoys binge-watching home improvement and cooking shows, painting, and discovering new culinary delights, while cherishing the moments she spends with her family.

Personal Mantra: I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. - Angela Davis "Peace, Light & Love"

Fatima Majid, CBD
Threshold Praxis
Detroit, Michigan

Fatima A. Majid helps women cross the threshold during critical transitions in life (birth, business and beyond) using systems and science. A graduate of Tuskegee University (HBCU) with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Masters in Biomedical engineering to be completed, Fatima brings 20+ years of experience across manufacturing, education, healthcare, medtech and government. A systems engineer, certified community-based doula, and founder whose work sits at the intersection of maternal health equity, medtech, and systems transformation.

Her innovation expertise was shaped as a National Science Foundation I-Corps Bio-Entrepreneurship Fellow, where she conducted customer-discovery interviews across pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, applying evidence-based methodologies. She was mentored by biotech and medtech executives through the International Center for Professional Development’s Scientist Mentor & Diversity Scholar program. For her work refurbishing medical equipment for communities in need, World Medical Relief listed her as an “Angel of Mercy” for her commitment to global health equity.

Recognizing that real change requires both innovation and human-centered care, she founded a coordinated portfolio of practices under Threshold Praxis, LLC: Threshold Advisory Group, a consulting firm seeking to advise healthcare systems and women’s health organizations; Threshold Doula Services, LLC, a Detroit-based practice providing advocacy-grounded birth support; and Threshold STEM-BioLab, cultivating the next generation of female leaders in medical device innovations. Fatima extends her mission through speaking engagements and mentoring, having inspired hundreds of students pursuing STEM. Together, these practices translate to serving families, organizations, future leaders and communities whether at the boardroom, biolab or bedside.

As a mother of a young woman who inspires her to imagine a better future, the heart of her work is centering women’s agency and voice in the systems and technology that serve their bodies and health.

Personal Mantra: “At the threshold of change, we are designing futures where she leads, she supports and she innovates.”

Jasmine Hammonds, CBS, CBE, LD
The Obsidian Milk Collective
Madison, Alabama

Jasmine is a maternal health advocate, lactation professional, and reproductive justice leader based in Alabama. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Obsidian Milk Collective (OMC), a community-centered initiative advancing equitable lactation support and maternal health access for Black families. Jasmine also serves as Co-Director of Alabama Cohosh Collaborative, where she supports reproductive justice and maternal health programming and community partnerships across the state. Her work focuses on the intersection of lactation, reproductive justice, maternal mental health, and systems-level maternal care. She is the creator of the Latch to Systems Framework™, which positions lactation as essential infrastructure within maternal and infant health systems. Jasmine recently sat for the IBCLC exam and continues building collaborative spaces that center culturally responsive care and Black maternal health leadership. Her work is grounded in both professional and lived experience as a mother and advocate.

Personal Mantra: My personal quote/saying is “In Sha Allah”, an Arabic phrase often translated to mean “if God wills.” For me, it is a reminder to trust timing, release control, and remain grounded in the discipline and readiness needed to receive and carry whatever is truly meant for me.

Erin Freelain
Doula
Detroit, MI

Erin Elizabeth is a community-based birthworker, maternal health advocate, and survivor-centered professional committed to advancing Black maternal, birth, and breastfeeding justice. Her work is rooted in lived experience, community care, and a deep belief that Black families deserve culturally responsive, trauma-informed support across pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Erin has served families through full-spectrum doula care, peer support, housing advocacy, and community-based healing spaces. Through her growing practice, she hopes to bridge lived experience, reproductive justice, data-informed advocacy, and practical support to improve outcomes for Black mothers, birthing people, babies, and families. Erin is honored to join the Birth & Breastfeeding Leadership Institute as part of her continued commitment to leadership, healing, and community transformation.

Doula
Detroit, Michigan

Mashell Lawson is a doula, yoga therapist, and maternal health advocate committed to protecting and honoring the sacred experience of birth. Her work is rooted in holistic care, weaving together evidence-based practice, mindfulness, movement, and spiritual grounding. She is deeply dedicated to advancing birth justice and improving outcomes for Black women through education, advocacy, and community-centered support. With a background in instructional design and training development, Mashell creates transformative learning experiences that empower both families and birth workers. Her presence is intentional and affirming, holding space for women to feel seen, heard, and supported at every stage of their journey. As a participant in the Birth and Breastfeeding Leadership Institute, she is expanding her leadership and impact in the movement to reclaim, protect, and uplift Black maternal and infant health.