Meet The Collective
At the heart of Chicago Birthworks Collective is our passion to empower Black families through an amazing pregnancy journey. Our collective of trained doulas and birth workers offer support and education through excellent care and luxury services. Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, we are here to help you navigate the healthcare system, teach you how to advocate for your rights, and curate a birth experience that celebrates your growing family.
As a committed member of the community, we believe in actively contributing to the well-being of our neighbors—that’s why we continually seek ways to innovate and partner with other organizations to meet the needs of those around us.
We believe that, together, we can create sustainable and long-lasting change for communities of color through better maternal outcomes and stronger families.
Toni Taylor
"As a woman, I feel so blessed beyonds words to have the ability to carry life. Each of my birthing experiences have revealed to me the true conception of how fragile yet powerful pregnancy, and birth truly are.”
Tayo Mbande
“If I wasn’t born to be a mama, I don’t know what else I could’ve been sent down here for. I love every part of being able to call myself a mother.”
The Founders
An SMC Full Circle Doula, Licensed Hair Stylist, Trained Massage Specialist, Baker, Mama Toni Taylor does it all. Born on the Southside of Chicago and raised in Southern California, Mama Toni has a unique love for building community. She is mother to identical twins, one daughter, and one son, grandmother to two boys and two girls and a guiding force and loving light to all of them. Toni’s work began by the side of her 6 sisters in the births of over 15 nieces and nephews. Toni has been committed to women at whatever stage of the motherhood journey they are in.
Tayo Mbande was born in Long Beach, Ca and raised partially in Chicago on the south side. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in Psychology in 2015. That same year she gave birth to her first child with her mother by her side and knew then that motherhood was her favorite hood. In 2016, she became a WIC trained Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and in 2017 trained as an SMC Full Circle Doula Birth Companion. Ever since Tayo has created a community based around motherhood that nutures the entire person, through the entire process.
The Administrative Team
Akeva
Kayla
Doula Tribe
Ashley
Iritisen
Maria
Hannah
Diedra
Nicole
SJ
Tynece
Shanice
Adriana
Endia
Jennifer
Ready to Work With
Chicago Birthworks Collective?
We would be honored to walk you through all of our services or create a custom doula package that serves your needs and fills your cup.
If you are looking for a Black doula in the Chicago area to join you on your journey to parenthood and empower and support you throughout your pregnancy, contact Chicago Birthworks Collective. Let us (and our community of other melanated mamas!) cheer you on as you embark on the most beautiful, radical and sacred experience of bringing new life into the world.