Mentorship

The BIPOC Aspiring Midwives mentorship program’s mission is to provides structured & dignified mentorship for BIPOC aspiring midwives on their individual journey to a midwifery education. Our vision is to build meaningful collaborations between community, aspiring midwives, midwives, and midwifery education settings to strengthen the support system available for BIPOC Aspiring Midwives before, during, and after midwifery education.

The mentorship part of this pilot program began in response to requests for support during the process of navigating the journey to a midwifery education. Through 1:1 mentorship to over 10 aspiring midwives at varying stages of their journey Ms. Gebre was able to create a general guide to navigating the relationship. The BIPOC Aspiring Midwives program is growing and it is imperative to strengthen the mentorship program. Through review of evidence, consultation with community experts and mentoring program experts, the program in partnership with UCSF Midwifery Student Mentorship and Belonging Program, aims to develop an evidence-based mentorship program to develop a seamless structure for BIPOC aspiring midwives, midwifery students, and community mentors in California.

One of BIPOC Aspiring Midwives Program’s goals is to expand mentorship opportunities beyond Asmara Gebre by on-board 10 additional BIPOC California midwives as mentors for 10 Bay Area BIPOC Aspiring Midwives. Thanks to a generous donation from the Tara Health Foundation each mentor will be compensated for their invaluable time.

“If I continue to learn with only white women, I will continue to learn only that which harms me and those who look like me I need guidance from someone with whom I can be completely candid and not distract myself with adverse ramifications of my honesty.”- BIPOC Aspiring Midwife 2020