Rising Up Together

Dear City of Coatesville and its Residents,

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My name is Sauleiha Akangbe, a fourth-generation Coatesville native. I am the daughter of Kalia Loper, granddaughter of Diana Harris, and great-granddaughter of Elizabeth J. Harris. As a mother, wife, traditional midwife, and full-spectrum doula with over 15 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to supporting decolonized birth for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) women and communities.

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After graduating from Coatesville Area Senior High (CASH) in 2013, I pursued my passion for supporting families in navigating the complexities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My work has centered on addressing the profound inequities faced by BIPOC birthing individuals, including medical racism and poor health outcomes. I have collaborated with hospital leadership and healthcare providers to improve care quality and advocate for culturally affirming practices.

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In my roles, I have provided a wide range of services, including:

• Traditional Midwife who cares for pregnant individuals and catches their babies within my scope of practice.

• Full Spectrum Doula and Mentor

• Cultural Competency Trainer

• Health Equity Trainer

• Advocate for integrating doula support services into hospital systems to improve health equity

• Hospital Labor and delivery support

• Prenatal, birth, and postpartum education

• Lactation support

• Complete postpartum support including emotional, physical, and spiritual care, addressing maternal mental health, family adjustment, and breastfeeding support.

• Sleep techniques

• Newborn education

• Guidance on fertility, conception, pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum healing, newborn support, and family adjustments through a traditional and ancestral lens, incorporating practices that are rooted in the Agbebi scope of practice.

       

I have pioneered innovative programs, such as the Swedish Postpartum Doula Program, the first integrated postpartum doula service within a hospital in the United States. This program, along with my work with the Black Birth Empowerment Initiative (BBEI), has played a crucial role in promoting culturally congruent and empowering birth experiences for Black individuals within hospital settings. BBEI later evolved into the Justice Unity Support Trust (JUST) Birth Network, a leading organization dedicated to improving birth equity.

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I am deeply committed to returning to Coatesville and sharing my expertise with the community that nurtured me. Inspired by the legacy of my ancestors, I am establishing Mother Harris's Community Home.

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Elizabeth J. Harris, my great-grandmother, migrated to Coatesville from Birmingham, Alabama, during the Great Migration. Despite the hardships she endured, she carried with her a spirit of compassion and unwavering generosity. Orphaned at a young age, she developed a deep understanding of human need and a profound commitment to serving others.

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Elizabeth J. Harris was a true embodiment of community. She opened her home to those in need, provided wisdom, food, and shelter, and offered invaluable support to pregnant women and families. She possessed a deep understanding of holistic well-being, utilizing traditional knowledge and a strong spiritual connection to guide her in caring for others. While there were no formal titles for her work, she was a healer, a nurturer, and a source of strength for countless individuals in Coatesville.

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My grandmother, mother, and I have inherited this legacy of care. We were raised with an understanding of the importance of community and the power of collective support. Mother Harris's Community Home will continue this tradition, providing culturally affirming and holistic support for pregnant, postpartum individuals, and their families in Coatesville.

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Sincerely,

Sauleiha Akangbe