Davies-Balch received the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for her dedication to improving Black maternal health and birth outcomes in Fresno County. Out of hundreds of applications, she was one of just six award recipients.
Doulas are an increasingly important resource in childbirth
Community partners with the BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center through the center’s doula training program.Doulas are non-clinical birthing professionals who provide pregnant parents with physical and emotional support before, during and after birth. They act as a link between parents and their care team, providing information about procedures and assisting through massage, encouragement, breathing exercises and more. They are there solely for the comfort of the patient delivering.
Studies show that doulas can help decrease cesarean rates, the length of labor, and pain medication use. Access to doula care is especially important when it comes to racial disparities in childbirth.
Black maternal mortality rates (the rate at which death occurs for the person delivering during or shortly after childbirth) are significantly higher than those for white or Hispanic parents. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 the mortality rate for Black women in the U.S. was nearly 70 deaths per 100,000 live births — 2.6% higher than the rate for white women.
Even more alarming, the majority of these deaths were preventable.
BLACK Doula Network provides education and training
Davies-Balch's mission is to reduce Black maternal and infant mortality rates in Fresno. In 2021, she launched the BLACK Doula Network, aimed at increasing positive birthing experiences for Black mothers and bringing about more full-term pregnancies and healthier babies. The program features high-quality, equity-centered training for doulas, including 125 hours of study and observation, and a 400-page curriculum.“I really wanted to create an organization that could have this holistic approach to not only woman care, but also family care,” Davies-Balch said.
BLACK Doula Network trainees observe births as part of their training at Community Regional Medical Center, giving them firsthand experience in a hospital room with patients.
The BLACK Doula Network benefits Community, as well.
“This partnership has provided us with additional information that, as care providers, we weren’t always even aware of,” said Sarah Putman, director of Women and Newborn Health at Community Regional.
“The doulas can also help with some of the comorbidities that we see in pregnancy,” Putman added. “Plus eating habits and newborn care.”
Davies-Balch's impact in the Central Valley
To date, the BLACK Doula Network has tripled the number of Black doulas serving Fresno County, bringing the number to 10. Davies-Balch also secured approval to be an official service provider to several major insurance companies, making doula services available to thousands of pregnant people in the Valley.Her receipt of the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award — presented to those who demonstrate innovation, inclusivity and show measurable results in improving lives in the state of California — is well deserved.
To learn more about the BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, visit BLACKWPC.org. For more on Davies-Balch's award, visit the James Irvine Foundation.
