Our story began in 2002 when Shafia Monroe created the Full Circle Doula Birth Companion Training to increase the number of doulas of color and Black midwives, honor the legacy of the 20th century African American midwife, and increase culturally competent maternity care for better birth outcomes.

The training was housed with the non-profit, International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), founded by Monroe from 2003 -2016. In 2016, Monroe’s retired from ICTC, and the board passed the program to her company Shafia Monroe Consulting (SMC).

SMC has trained thousands of people from around the world. Some of our graduates include Amparo Vesga Sanchez, of Cali, Colombia, Claudia Booker, Basmah Karriem, Nicole Deggins, Monica Raye Simpson, Roberta Eaglehorse Ortiz, Shantae Johnson, Sheryl Paul, Meies Matz, Chanel L. Porchia-Albert, Sandra Hernándes, Muneera Fontaine, Samira Alex, Felica Love, Freya Morani, Nadiyah Seraaj, Samsarah Morgan, Skylar Johnson, Tierra Solomon, Lauren Anita, Maat Felicia, Sarah Husain, and Charles Hannah, and Erykah Badu, four-time GRAMMY™ Award winner, singer/songwriter, and holistic healer.