Trish chats with Tumaini Lyaruu, Cheyenne Scarlett and Cassandra Thompson about their work as activists in education, advocacy and activism for Black communities. 

Cassandra is a birth centre aid at the Toronto Birth Centre, as well as a doula. She is also a founding member of the Ocama Collective, a community-directed group of birth workers of colour living and working in Toronto. 

Tumaini is a midwifery student at Ryerson University and has worked alongside her peers to create the Learn More Ontario Midwifery initiative, a project that presents public information about midwifery care in Ontario. 

Cheyenne is a childbirth educator and has conducted research in the Greater Toronto Area about Black women’s experiences throughout their pregnancy. Through her research, Cheyenne has recognized the strong need for childbirth education for parents and anti-racism training for providers. She is also a co-founder of The Baby Planner, a consulting and education based business that is guided by person-centred and trauma-informed care.

Photo by Kiana Bosman on Unsplash