Peekskill, NY, February 2, 2018 - ProDoula, in partnership with “Dr. Doula” Andrea Little Mason Ed.D. announce the premiere of The Black History of Birth in America. This educational and emotional documentary conjures change provoking thought and necessary awareness. Never before has such a powerful message of truth been needed, for a community who ushers in our world’s next generation. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from 2011 – 2013 show, almost three times the death threat. Statistics state 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women, staggering in comparison to the 12.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women or 14.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for women of other unspecified races.

Centered around “Dr. Doula” Andrea Little Mason Ed.D.’s keynote speech at The 2017 ProDoula Conference where she delivered an epic presentation on Black Maternal and Infant Mortality digging deep into the roles of Doulas of Color, and African American birth workers throughout history into modern day. Never before, has a keynote speaker incited so many 'Aha Moments', and instilled such a powerful sense of self, strength, and pride as she did. Little Mason, respectively referred to in the birth world as “Dr. Doula” is a touted historian, credentialed educator, seasoned doula, and a community spear-head and thought leader. The message in this documentary is nothing short of masterful as it destroys common misconceptions and forces viewers to own their place in the history of black birth in America.

Dr. Andrea Little Mason Ed.D. exclaims, “Throughout American history, Black women used their resourcefulness and skills to “save themselves” and others in birth, despite the great poverty and disenfranchisement they were enduring. It is my belief that many of the challenges that African American women face today are because, collectively, we have forgotten who we are. In order to “reclaim our birth rites,” we must remember... We save ourselves! We heal ourselves! We empower ourselves!”

In Kansas City, MO at the 2017 ProDoula Conference an international audience of over two-hundred birth workers united. This diverse collective of passionate ProDoula members gather at the annual event primed for education, inspiration, and celebration. The conference theme “Speak Your Truth” certainly set the tone for what was historically ProDoula’s most powerful conference experience to date. The Annual ProDoula Conference has been a platform for poignant, and prevalent keynote speakers since its inception. Spotlighting powerhouse personalities such as renown bestselling author Cupcake Brown and maternity mogul, TV star, Rosie Pope. Dr. Doula Andrea Little Mason truly left conference goers wanting more, resulting in this hour-long documentary being hosted on www.prodoula.com.

ProDoula continues to forge forward building essential awareness of cultural competency. As the home to thousands of birth workers from every walk of life, worldwide, they assure that cultural competency is a priority. CEO Randy Patterson believes that “Ignorance can only be combatted by education.”

It is this belief that has driven ProDoula to continue providing cultural competency resources to their membership and training to their staff. This documentary is another tool to raise awareness throughout the birth world and beyond. They began with the release of the: ProDoula Cultural Competence Resource Volume I, available online as a downloadable PDF in the ProDoula store. This valuable resource is purchasable as donation only. All proceeds are donated to the National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) which is a US-based non-profit whose mission is to improve birth outcomes and reduce health disparities for communities of color. ProDoula is proud to have raised thousands of dollars from sales to date.