Introducing...

The Black Doula Rest Fund

20 Rest & Wellness Care scholarships awarded to Black Doulas across the globe annually in honor of Black Doula Day

The Black Doula Day Planning Committee has launched the “Okunsola’s Black Doula Rest Fund”, to provide 20-Rest & Wellness Care scholarships to Black Doulas across the globe annually in honor of Black Doula Day, and the committees goal of honoring Black Doulas year round.

Founded & envisioned by Okunsola M. Amadou, based on her documented & modeled practices of rest since 2016 to sustain her journey as a Black mother and community doula & midwife, Okunsola’s Black Doula Rest Fund was born. The Black Doula Day Planning Committee includes: Jamaa Birth Village, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Ancient Song, the Georgia Black Doula Network, ROOTT, Sankofa Healing Center, and Southern Birth Justice Network.

Black Doulas are on the frontlines of Black Maternal Health liberation daily, oftentimes putting their health and well-being last, and oftentimes without adequate rest and mental health support.

The Rest Fund operates to restore rest and wellness care practices and daily integration among Black doula providers by providing funds, tools and resources to Black Doulas across the diaspora, reintegrating the communal care model that sustained ancestral Birthworkers for generations.

The Black Doula Day Merch Store™️, as well as donations and grants will aid in sustaining the fund that provides 20-scholarships and award packages to Black Doulas annually to fund hibernation rest periods.

The Black Doula Rest Fund Scholarship includes:

$500 rest and hibernation scholarship
3-months of mental health care with a Black woman mental health/spiritual care provider
6-month mentorship with an elder Black Doula or CEU support- whichever will help them strengthen and advance their work

The initial scholarships will be awarded in Autumn 2026, and annually thereafter. Awards are given via a lottery of applications.

You may begin your Rest Fund Award within up to 6 months of receiving the award.

Scholarship Requirements:

Practicing Black Doula for 3+ years
Stated need for rest & restoration
Completed application with care narrative, summary and history of care
Agreement to pen a letter to Black Doulas on how the fund has benefitted them

APPLY NOW

Apply to become a 2026 Recipient of the Black Doula Rest Fund

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Doula Business Name

Website URL

Social Media Handle(s)

Share what made you become a doula and what values you live by(Required)

Share what state, region or country you practice in and how your doula care services have impacted the region(Required)

When were you trained/certified as a doula and which training did you go through?(Required)

How long have you practiced as a doula?(Required)

How many clients have you served? (This will not impact decision making)(Required)

What types of services do you provide?(Required)

What is your philosophy on rest and mental emotional well being for doulas?(Required)

Please share how receiving the Black Doula Rest Fund could positively impact you(Required)

Are you a parent and/or partnered? How will this doula rest fund support you in navigating your personal relationships outside of doula work?(Required)