Find Posts By Topic

Delivering New Worlds: Black Doulas Talk about Black Futures

In celebration of Black History Month, we have invited community leader and activist, Reagan Jackson, to curate a series of community stories and profiles that both amplify the Black experience right now and imagine a new Black future in Seattle. Stories will be published throughout the month under #ReimaginingBlackHistoryMonth.

Delivering New Worlds: Black Doulas Talk about Black Futures

Wednesday, February 22, 5:30-7:30 pm at Y-WE (5623 Rainier Ave S.)

If we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, then what are our dreams for Black futures? This Black History month we are celebrating the past, but also contemplating how it’s shaped the present and what kind of future we’d like to co-create.  Join Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) and Seattle Department of Neighborhoods for a panel discussion with four Black doulas: Rokea Jones (birth doula),  Adana Protonentis (disability doula), Lashanna Williams (death doula), and Faisa Farole (Global Perinatal Services). The discussion will be moderated by writer and Y-WE Co-Executive Director Reagan Jackson. There will be dinner and community reflection with a closing by Y-WE Grow Program Coordinator Tayah Carlisle. 

Reserve your spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delivering-new-worlds-black-doulas-talk-about-black-futures-tickets-549715583107.


photo of a Black woman's face. There is a bookshelf full of books behind her. She as curly black and blond hair and is wearing blue glasses. She is smiling.

Adana Protonentis is a scholar-activist, disability doula, curator, and mama. Adana is passionate about wisdom and possibility that exists in the borders, margins, and in-between spaces. Adana’s work centers the intersections of race and disability in service of uncovering liberatory wisdom and practices that create conditions for us all to give and receive the care that is our birthright. In her work, she nurtures communities of practice, by helping groups and organizations build their skills toward interdependence, liberatory hospitality, and deep care. She is the co-director of Kindred Consulting.


photo of a Black woman wearing a vivid floral print dress and a head scarf. She is wearing glasses and smiling at the camera.

Faisa Farole has a master’s degree in Maternal Child Health Systems. Faisa is a licensed midwife in the state of Washington where she leads a solo practice serving marginalized communities. Faisa mentors aspiring black midwives. Faisa is the founder/director of Global Perinatal Services, a nonprofit organization that provides doula services free of charge to low-income, black, refugee, and immigrant communities. She is a doula trainer and a certified lactation counselor. Faisa’s vision is to make sure all women are educated about their birthing options. In her free time loves spending time with her husband and children by hiking, playing card games, and talking about current events. She loves to crochet when she can squeeze some free time in.


photo of a Black woman sitting in her living room. She has long curly hair and a tattooed shoulder and bicep. She is smiling at the camera.

Lashanna Williams is, at her core, a helper, a tender of people, spaces, and community. A massage therapist who merges formal education, ancestral knowledge, life experience, and all 6 senses to guide her care. She is a member of many organizations, all rooted in mutual aid, care work, and community. She brings to the board a grounded energy blended with a flavor of naivety in her “we can do it” mindset.  As a Director she gathers, guides, and supports the efforts of the nonprofit to help it remain purposeful, creative, sustainable, and free from the patriarchal western structures currently dictated. Lashanna is a Scorpio, which means they were born an agent of change and has lived that life.


photo of a Black woman with short, curly hair standing in front of a white backdrop. she is wearing a rust colored tank top with a white sweater hanging off one shoulder. She is smiling.

Rokea Jones’ work spans over 15 years of experience as a birth worker, educator, and community advocate. Rokea holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration. During the course of her career, her work has spanned from birth, early learning, and home visiting services to food access, climate justice, housing, and violence prevention, all the while working with youth and families. Rokea is a Full Circle Doula, Certified lactation educator, and peer counselor as well as an Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMH-E®). Rokea’s degree work sparked her interest and current work as a researcher. She continues to serve as a policy advocate and brings these skills and experience to her presentation.