The 2025 Motown Experience: Birth & Breastfeeding Conference brings together a dynamic lineup of leaders, changemakers, and visionaries in birth and breastfeeding. Our speakers embody Detroit’s spirit of resilience, innovation, and cultural legacy while advancing equity in maternal and infant health.
From nationally recognized experts to community-based advocates, each voice contributes to the rhythm of change, moving us toward a future where every family thrives!
Explore the incredible speakers who will be sharing their knowledge, experiences, and passion throughout the conference.
KIDDADA GREEN: MAT, FOUNDER & EXEC DIRECTOR BMBFA
TRACK(S): BIG MAMA, TRIPLE CROWN, WE GOT RECEIPTS, SPILLING THE MILK
SESSION TITLE(S): BLACK MOTHERS’ BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION – ABOUT BMBFA & MEEET THE BOARD, THE IMPACT OF RACISM ON BLACK BREASTFEEDING 3.0
TINA SHERMAN: NATIONAL DIRECTOR
TRACK(S): BLACK PARADE
SESSION TITLE(S): FROM THE ROOT UP: ADVANCING BLACK BIRTH JUSTICE THROUGH POLICY IN EVERY STATE AND EVERY COMMUNITY
ZOE DODD: MPH
TRACK(S): WE GOT RECEIPTS
SESSION TITLE(S): THE FULL PICTURE: CENTERING LIVED EXPERIENCE IN BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH DATA
HEKITA LONG: CHW, CPST, CULTURAL/COMM. DOULA
TRACK(S): BIG MAMA, SPILLING THE MILK
SESSION TITLE(S): CULTURAL ROOTS OF NURTURING: REVIVING ANCESTRAL PRACTICES FOR MODERN BREASTFEEDING
PORSCHE HOLLAND-OTUNBA: CLC, C-CBE, PMH-C
TRACK(S): DADDY KNOWS BEST, BLAQ AND PROUD
SESSION TITLE(S): CENTERING FATHERS IN BIRTH EQUITY AND PERINATAL ADVOCACY
PAMELA ATUEYI: CLINICAL MATERNAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGIST
TRACK(S): DADDY KNOWS BEST, ARE WE OKAY
SESSION TITLE(S): POURING FROM A FULL CUP: CENTERING EMOTIONAL WELLNESS IN MATERNAL SUPPORT WORK
MONICA TIPPENS: BFPC
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN, SPILLING THE MILK
SESSION TITLE(S): PARTNERING TO EXPAND COMMUNITY- BASED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR BLACK MOTHERS
MICHELLE SMITH: DOULA, CLC, PREG/INFANT LOSS ADVOCATE
TRACK(S): SPILLING THE MILK ON LACTATION
SESSION TITLE(S): MILK IS MEDICINE: CULTURALLY ROOTED HEALING IN LACTATION CARE
MICIA EDDINS: IBCLC, DOULA J.O.B Lactation Foundation
TRACK(S): We Got Receipts
SESSION TITLE(S): Data Keeping
LIZ HARVIN: LINGUIST, BIRTH WORKER, EDU CONSULTANT
TRACK(S): WE GOT RECEIPTS; BLACK PARADE
SESSION TITLE(S): WHO GETS HEARD? POWER IN BIRTH SPACES
KELSEY COATES-POOLE: BFPC, RDN
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN, SPILLING THE MILK
SESSION TITLE(S): PARTNERING TO EXPAND COMMUNITY-BASED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR BLACK MOTHERS
RACHEL BROWN: BIOLOGIST, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL
TRACK(S): WE GOT RECEIPTS
SESSION TITLE(S): FROM LISTENING TO ACTION: WHAT COHORT 1 TAUGHT US ABOUT BUILDING WITH, NOT FOR, THE COMMUNITY
LATASHA REECE: LACTATION EDUCATOR, PP DOULA
TRACK(S): WE GOT RECEIPTS
SESSION TITLE(S): FROM LISTENING TO ACTION: WHAT COHORT 1 TAUGHT US ABOUT BUILDING WITH, NOT FOR, THE COMMUNITY
JAMITA SWEARENGEN: BIRTH & POSTPARTUM DOULA
Track(s): Are We Okay, Come Through, Doula!
SESSION TITLE(S): THE VILLAGE WITHIN US: BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CARE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
ISHA JOHNSON: DOULA, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN, SPILLING THE MILK
SESSION TITLE(S): BLACK MOTHERS’ BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION – ABOUT BMBFA & MEEET THE BOARD, PARTNERING TO EXPAND COMMUNITY-BASED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR BLACK MOTHERS
GIANNA FAY: CNM, WHNP-BC
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN
SESSION TITLE(S): INTEGRATING FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTERS INTO REGIONAL HEALTH ECOSYSTEMS: COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN
ROBENA HILL: LEAD HOME VISITOR & COMM-BASED DOULA
TRACK(S): ARE WE OKAY, COME THROUGH DOULA
SESSION TITLE(S): DOULA LEGACY IN ACTION: ADVOCACY, HEALING, AND POWERFUL OUR COMMUNITIES.
DR CORINN TAYLOR: EDD, MSN, RN
TRACK(S): ARE WE OKAY, WE GOT RECEIPTS
SESSION TITLE(S): From Whispers to Roars: Mothers’ Voices Shaping the Community. How Collective data turns into Collective Action.
CYNTHIA JACKSON: LM, CPM, FOUNDER
TRACK(S): ARE WE OKAY, COME THROUGH, DOULA!
SESSION TITLE(S): HOW DOES TRAUMA PRESENT ITSELF IN BIRTH AND HOW TO CREATE A TRAUMA- INFORMED BIRTH PLAN
ARIANNA DAVIS: MSW, DOULA
TRACK(S): ARE WE OKAY, COME THROUGH, DOULA!
SESSION TITLE(S): DOULA LEGACY IN ACTION: ADVOCACY, HEALING, AND POWERFUL OUR COMMUNITIES.
RACHAEL WIGLEY: CLP, PROGRAM MANAGER
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN
SESSION TITLE(S): BIRTH AND BREASTFEEDING LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE INFORMATIONAL
MALIKAH GARNER: MBA, CO-FNDR MOMMY AMBSDR, BMBFA BOARD
TRACK(S): BLACK PARADE
SESSION TITLE(S): PASSION. PURPOSE. ADVOCACY. MOBILIZING MOMMY AMBASSADORS FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT!
JAYNE JACKSON: Duality Doula
Track(s): Are We Okay, Come Through, Doula!
SESSION TITLE(S): HOW DOES TRAUMA PRESENT ITSELF IN BIRTH AND HOW TO CREATE A TRAUMA- INFORMED BIRTH PLAN
SARAH CLARK: RESEARCH SCIENTIST, CO-DIRECTOR CSMCHNP
TRACK(S): TRIPLE CROWN
SESSION TITLE(S): PARTNERING TO EXPAND COMMUNITY-BASED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR BLACK MOTHERS
MACKENZIE CURRIE: B,S., PROGRAM COORDINATOR
TRACK(S): ON THE GROUND
SESSION TITLE(S): BLACK MOTHERS’ BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION – ABOUT BMBFA & MEEET THE BOARD
Together, our speakers will guide attendees through conversations rooted in justice, innovation, and community. They are the heartbeat of The 2025 Motown Experience; Birth & Breastfeeding Conference, and you won’t want to miss the wisdom they are bringing to the stage.