The Event

Birth in Color RVA is a non-profit community-based organization committed to defending all aspects of reproductive justice: ensuring that people and families have the resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies and can safely parent their children. Supporting the community through community-based solutions, doula support, policy, and advocacy.

Our Gala and Silent Auction event serves three purposes. First, we are excited to celebrate with our community 5 years of work through Birth in Color RVA, November 11 is our birthday! Second, we are looking forward to highlighting other small and local businesses in Virginia. And third, we hope to raise the funds needed to propel us into a year of growth through 2024! Join us at the historic Hippodrome Theater in Richmond, VA for a night of celebration to remember.

Our Sponsors

We are honored to have sponsors within our community who support Birth in Color and help make our work possible. We are so grateful for your support of this event and of our organization!

Bronze Sponsors

Richmond Times Dispatch, Anthem, Molina Health

Emerald Sponsors

Johnson's Health Center

Ruby Sponsors

Pinky's RVA, Repro Rising

Our Story

Birth in Color RVA started in 2018 and prompted some of the first serious discussions about Black Maternal Health in the Richmond community and around Virginia by way of the Virginia State Government. Kenda Sutton-EL, Founder and Executive Director of Birth in Color RVA, grew up around birth. Her great-grandmother was a midwife and a very successful one at that. When Kenda began her professional career, she didn't first believe she would become a birth worker. But over time, the work called her. Studies, history, and data all show that Black women and birthing people are more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum than any other demographic in the US. From the passion to improve Black maternal health and provide quality support and care to Black women and birthing people, Birth in Color RVA was born.

Our Clients

Since 2018, Birth in Color RVA doulas have supported over 2,500 births. Birth in Color doulas have never lost a mother or birthing person.

Our doulas are trained to be birth and postpartum doulas, but are also guided through learning on a more in-depth level through medical terminology and how to advocate for their clients and prepare their clients to self-advocate.

We are proud of our doulas, their hard work, and the ways they've supported clients around the state of Virginia over the last 5 years.

"Ashley [Gopaul] was so amazing. We had experienced two miscarriages before our rainbow baby and she helped us with the anxieties we felt throughout our pregnancy. She was informative, kind, and always willing to listen. She brought me peace and laughs in the delivery room. Her calming spirit and kind heart coupled with her knowledge made my birth experience a positive one."
- Brittany Lopes

"Chelsi was AMAZING. She made sure the atmosphere of my birth was relaxed. She also helped me understand the terminology the doctors were speaking as far as my birth and pain meds. She’s caring, positive, and genuine."
- Raven Johnson-Archer

"When I met Alexis, every fear was dismantled. We connected quickly which made me feel more at ease with giving birth with someone I just met. She reminded me of my goals and advocated for me while giving birth. Alexis was amazing during labor, and because of her encouragement I was able to push through and give birth the way I wanted too."
- Quishondra Headen

“We feel so lucky to have our doula, Asyia; she is a very knowledgeable and experienced doula, and she listens and advocates for moms … I felt cared [for] and safe knowing I made the right choice to have a doula on my first pregnancy journey.”
- Alona Olson

"Amazing first-time experience with Doula services. (Jada Williams). I was truly grateful to have her. Very informative, reassuring and supportive in aspects. A wonderful soul I could have delivered my son without her."
— Tayyler Crampton

Richmond Museum Memberships and Admissions Bundle (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia History and Culture Museum, and Children's Museum of Richmond)