Hey there, I go by Desiree’ Yumi (she/her). I am a disabled Black woman, scholar, spiritualist, researcher, and mother from the south by way of Texas. I am Mekisha, Jeremy, Calvin, Freddie, Elvlar, Juana, and Weezy’s baby. These locations make up the frame through which I see and experience this world.​

 

I believe fiercely in the revolutionary power of love. Love as choice, motivation, and political action can and continues to change the world.

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In my work I hope to spread light through self-love so we all may find that sweet space within ourselves to tend to and seek refuge in. There, in my opinion, is where the power is. In working with me, I will always point you back to yourself. You are the thing you need.

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I found doula work in college while studying the intersections of reproductive justice and incarceration. Doula work, for me, is about a legacy of resistance and making the margins the main. What I mean by that is, this world tells us certain bodies— Black, queer, incarcerated, young people, etc.— are disposable. I see birth work as my way of saying fuck them and fuck that. Our lives are precious and we deserve to birth our babies and raise our families with dignity. So, any entity that does not see the divinity within us can kiss our collective assses.

 

My doula work is grounded in providing compassionate care to our divinely aligned Stars. My approach is tender truth telling, authenticity, and wraparound support, meaning we assess what the need is, then where you are located within that need. From that space we work together to pull in resources so you are supported, informed, and feeling safe as you navigate the waters of childbirth and new parenthood. I work especially and specifically with Black women and Black queer/nonbinary birthing people. Non-Black people are welcome.

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My work relies on the teachings of the 19th and 20th century Black midwives. Additionally, I approach birth work from birth justice, reproductive justice, disability justice, queer justice, and black feminist frameworks.

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I do not doula in a vacuum. I am a member of many birth work spaces with my sister and sibling doulas, teachers, and peers. If there is something I do not know, there is likely someone within my network who does.