Bump Equity Project

04/16/2026

Today I had the gift of standing in the room surrounded by friends, colleagues, mentors, and co-conspirators telling my why - why I fight every single day to improve Black maternal health. I was so grateful to represent MomsRising.org before my long-time friend Governor Josh Stein as he signed the Black Maternal Health Week Proclamation. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Natalie Murdock, Senator Sydney Batch, and the entire NC Legislative Black Caucus in amplifying this issue and pushing for the real, systemic change North Carolina families deserve.

The reality is the U.S. is the most dangerous developed nation to give birth and Black mamas in North Carolina are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mamas.

I’m committed to a future where every birth is safe and every family has access to supportive, high-quality healthcare, paid family and medical leave, and affordable childcare.

04/04/2026

One year in. ✨

Marking my first year of midwifery school!

Last month, I had the honor of joining a circle of my midwifery sisters at the Arise Black Midwife Pinning Ceremony. I was reminded that I am the dreams of my ancestors realized. Grateful for my village, all of the lessons (intended and unintended) I’m taking to heart, and for the journey unfolding along the way.

Now, I’m not on any timeline. Just lots of intentional steps forward and still very much going with the flow. But I did want to take a moment to mark this milestone and remind myself that this journey is one step forward (no matter how big or small) at a time.

03/17/2026

The Learning Lab at hosted by The Cypher Collective!

What an incredible hands-on training space for Black midwives rooted in community and wisdom. The Learning Lab was a full day of skill-building and sharing with practical stations from fetal heart tones to palpation, well-person exams to suturing, to managing postpartum hemorrhage, newborn assessments, and more.

Each station was guided by experienced midwives who generously shared their time and expertise. I’m deeply grateful to The Cypher Collective and all of the instructors who made space for this kind of learning and to the midwives I had the pleasure of learning alongside.

03/16/2026

My heart is full after the past few days at the National Black Midwives Alliance Conference.

Representing MomsRising.org and showing up as a student midwife meant I was able to hold both parts of my hearts work at once. I even got to step away momentarily to cheer Kai on at Science Olympiad (although that’s a story for another time).

I’m leaving this weekend fueled and beyond grateful for the path I’m walking and the community that is lifting me up in my journey.

03/15/2026

Introducing The 2026 cohort presented at the 👏🏾✨💜

Meet Tina Sherman

She is a Maternal Health Advocate, Policy Strategist, Certified Birth Doula, Pathway 3 Clinical Lactation Student, Student Midwife, Mother to Four, Wife, and Daughter

Tenant: Harbor

"I chose the word Harbor when I was searching for a term that reflects the kind of presence I hope to embody as a midwife. A harbor is a place of steadiness in changing waters. It does not stop the journey or control the tide. It offers grounding as people move through transition. For me, Harbor means a steady holding through transition, where movement is honored and safety is created without confinement.

My journey into midwifery has been shaped by many roles - a mother, doula, and maternal health advocate - each one deepening my commitment to ensuring expectant families are held in a space that is built with respect, humility and dignity. My work in maternal health policy shines a bright light on how systems surrounding birth shape families’ experiences. That understanding guides my commitment to strengthening both the care families receive and the systems in which that care operates.

I am here to help build a landscape where birth and the policies surrounding birth are rooted in dignity and justice."

03/02/2026

03/01/2026

Back home and studying again.
Miss apprenticing already.

02/14/2026

It was a hard lesson to learn, but I don’t run on empty anymore. This past week included time off, celebrating a friend, and sunshine and salty air.

Rest isn’t separate from the work. It’s how I remain grounded and able to be fully present to keep doing the work.

02/08/2026

This beautiful film is the story of "Miss Mary" Coley, an African-American midwife more than half a century ago in rural Georgia. Conceived as a demonstratio...

02/05/2026

Cooking in my camper because staying nourished as a student midwife is a form of self-care.

This season asks for long days, full attention, and steady presence. Making real food in a small space is one of the ways I intentionally take care of myself and stay grounded in my body.

Always simple. Nothing fancy. It's just part of how I care for myself while learning how to care for others.

02/03/2026

MomsRising was excited to join birth and lactation professionals at the Latch On to Success Summit, where National Director for Maternal Justice Tina Sherman spoke about the importance of lactation and maternal health advocacy belonging in business plans as a practical, values-driven strategy for building trust, partnerships, and sustainable impact.

02/01/2026

This week I closed out my time at Maternidad La Luz. I came with the intention of learning what maternity care looks like in a bilingual, bicultural, community-rooted setting on the border. The lessons I’m walking away with will carry me into my next apprenticeship and into my practice.

I am immensely grateful to the families who allowed me into their birthing journey and to the students and midwives who made space for learning and welcomed me into their work.