Today we’d like to introduce you to Nataki Hill.
Hi Nataki, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Please excuse my all over the place-ness in advance! I needed all below to become who I am today! LOL
I saw my sister born at 10 years old and was amazed at her birth, fast forward 10 plus years later, my friends were having babies and they were calling me to go to the hospitals with them so I did and advocated for them, before I knew that was what I was doing. At the same time I have completed my medical assisting school and was working in doctors’ offices for 10 years before going back to college and was attending Tidewater Community College completing my associate’s degree in administrative assisting, I left doctors offices because I was becoming to attached to patients and switched over to security as the Administrative Assistant to the Security Manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art – completed my MBA degree at Norfolk State University and then switched over to higher education for another 10 years. During these years I was still attending births (in hindsight I now know those jobs was preparing me for not just public speaking but also being able to speak, relate, advocate with people in any stage of life and any walk of life. I can talk to anyone from a stranger in the street, to a dignitary and be comfortable.)
One birth in particular was my best friend, she made me go to childbirth education, get shots recommended for being around newborns, she made me read books, learn more about birth and everything in between. After the birth of her son she found a program and asked me to apply with her to be a doula. I remember asking what is that? She said “the formal name of what you have been doing all along attending births with your friends” I said, “Oh, sure, why not” I got in, she didn’t. She encouraged me to take the training so that I could become a State Certified Doula in Virginia. She assured me she would get accepted in the next cohort, so I did. I took the class, then I studied for a year before I took my first official doula client. Since then, I have not looked back.
In am a Full Spectrum doula, but I discovered through my doula career that I love birth itself, I am a true birth doula, I live my life on call because I am a true birth doula. I also look back at my sister being born and being amazed, I am still 100 + births later and still have that same excitement. During my doula career I unofficially taught and mentored doulas, I attended general assembly to advocate for doulas as well. I needed all of that experience to become who I am today.
I formed the Doula Association of Virginia (DAVA) to give doulas in Virginia a voice, people can ignore one voice but when you put many voices together, its hard to ignore them. I formed it to protect doulas because many was crying to me about mistreatment and didn’t know what to do (remember that mentoring I mentioned earlier) because of it they knew I was a safe space. DAVA stands on 5 pillars – Empower, Educate, Unite, Advocate, Support – Along with being the President and founder of DAVA, I am also Germanna Community College head doula instructor, The Virginia Community Health Workers Association Doula instructor. I sit on the inaugural Virginia Maternal & Child Health Title V Advisory Committee; I received a State Appointment to the Doula Task Force as well.
I also have my own coffee line Brazilian Mist, I have a metaphysical store named Serenity Oasis, I am the practice administrator at a midwifery clinic and I love serving coffee at the Portsmouth Farmers Market almost every Saturday. I absolutely love being a grandmother or as her calls me “Nanna” to my 4-year-old grandson and I love talking to my son and his fiancé. I also enjoy taking my mom when I speak at conferences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
NO! Not at all. People tried to tell me shut down The Doula Association of Virginia, I did not listen to them at all! People slandered my name and black balled me, LOL I don’t think I should actually talk about that at this moment, but no it was not easy. Maybe you shouldn’t write that part.
I guess I can say some struggles were believing in myself that I could start an Association, I didn’t know everything an Association did, which was probably a good thing because if I did, I may not have started it! LOL, but I am so glad I did and would do it all over again. Money was also a challenge, I started the Association using me and one of my friends funds and had only hat for the 1st year. I mean we paid for EVERYTHING, except our joint conference with the Virginia Community Health Workers Association. The conference was sponsored by different funders thankfully. People thought that the Association was well funded but it definitely was not! Time management was a biggie, my family and friends were used to me being around but I had to pour so much into the Association and being a birth doula, I missed a lot of events and holidays. They are all proud of me now, but it was a struggle getting them to understand me not having the time I used to have to spend with them. Another challenge was misconceptions. People thinking we were rolling in money, people wondering how we came to be, people thinking we had a lot of support, the misconceptions was crazy. Still are
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I answered what DAVA does in the 1st question. I have an amazing team behind me. DAVA is a non-profit organization that was created to serve the Doulas of Virginia. No matter the type of Doula they are (Student doula, State Certified Doula, Traditional Doula or whatever Doula they are) We are very good at uniting Doulas and giving them a voice. That is what we are known for uniting and protecting Doulas. Doulas care for others, but who cares for Doulas? DAVA Does
What sets us apart is that this Association is recognized by the Virgina Department of Health, DMASS and the Virginia Certification Board as the Association for Doulas in Virgina. Having their support has been interictal in DAVA’s work and success. We have had great success with working with hospitals and medical providers to understand what Doulas are and navigating the landscape of what it is to work with Doulas surrounding new rules and regulations regarding Doulas in the workplace.
I am super proud that Doula feel safe coming to DAVA for help with issues that they have, or looking to DAVA for all things regarding Doulas from networking events, trainings, professional development, conflict resolution, education etc. Brand wise I am proud that we are known for our fairness and neutrality, because of our neutrality we are good at uniting Doulas, no matter the type Doula they are. There is enough to divide us, the type Doula you are should not be one because we want the same thing in the end – our clients to be safe, happy, advocated for and protected during pregnancy and postpartum – so no matter the type Doula you are – State Certified, traditional, etc., you are a Doula! I think that it is cool that I received an Congressional Challenge Coin from Senator Viedman for the work DAVA does!
I want readers to know that DAVA is here for the support and elevation of the Doula
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. I believe nothing that happened to me was by luck. I feel my steps were guided by a higher power, I work hard. What is for me is for me. What is not, is not.
I live the Serenity prayer in real life. I don’t think that is luck.
Pricing:
- Membership cost $25 a year for now
- Discounted or free rates for DAVA offerings if a member
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedoulaassociationofvirginia.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedoulaassociationofvirginia/
- Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/thedoulaassociationofvirginia
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataki-hill-b429bb57/
