OUR IMPACT
Gifted Hands International has been an innovator in maternal health education, doula workforce development, and culturally competent birth support since 2015. Our work is rooted in closing critical gaps in maternal health by expanding access to professional, culturally competent doula care, and creating programs that strengthen outcomes for families and communities. From launching one of Chicago’s first Black-owned private doula agencies to shaping statewide certification requirements, our impact reflects both community-driven care and systems-level change.
2015
Gifted Hands Doula Services launched, becoming one of the first official Black-owned private doula companies in Chicago.
2019
Gifted Hands Doula Services transitioned into Gifted Hands International, becoming the first Black-owned doula certifying organization in the state of Illinois.
In 2019, we also became a leader in innovation in doula education by introducing training approaches that were ahead of the industry, including:
- A blended training model (pre-COVID)
- An extended curriculum
- Multiple certifications offered within one training program
- Medical training included as part of the curriculum
- CPR training included as part of the curriculum
- Immersive simulation-based training, designed to strengthen real-world readiness and professional skill development
2020
Gifted Hands hosted the first-ever formal doula graduation ceremony, celebrating the success, professionalism, and advancement of doulas entering the maternal health workforce.
2022
Gifted Hands continued to lead with innovation and statewide impact through multiple major milestones:
- Facilitated the first peer doula training program in an Illinois prison, expanding access to maternal health education and advocacy for incarcerated communities
- Submitted our curriculum to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), where it was used as inspiration to help build the doula certification requirements for the state of Illinois
- Founded the Doodads Training Program, one of the first maternal health training programs focused on teaching fathers birth support skills and strengthening family-centered care
2023
Gifted Hands expanded its reach and continued growing its impact in maternal health education:
- Enrolled our first international student from Cameroon, West Africa
- Reached a milestone of 100 doulas trained, strengthening access to culturally competent birth support in communities locally and globally
INNOVATION THAT MOVES MATERNAL HEALTH FORWARD
Gifted Hands International continues to set a standard for what doula education and maternal health workforce development can look like when it is professional, culturally competent, community-centered, and designed for real-world impact.
We are proud of the milestones we’ve achieved—and even more committed to the families and communities we continue to serve.