Blessed by the Elders: ICTC 9th Annual Black Midwives and Healers Conference

"Honoring our Past, Embracing our Future"

Being a part of ICTC's midwifery conference has always been a goal of mine, and recently became a beautiful reality. After much consideration I applied for a scholarship so that I could attend. Being the only black direct-entry student midwife in St. Louis, I felt it especially important to attend this years conference titled, "ICTC's 9th Annual Black Midwives and Healers Conference: Honoring our Past and Embracing our Future." Upon receiving the email that I'd been granted a full scholarship, I realized that I was alive and existing in my very own dream that I'd created.

I booked my accomodations, purchased my plane ticket, and prepared my spirit for the fun and educational filled weekend ahead. I was especially blessed to attend this conference because my first preceptor in Ghana, West Africa, Umsalaamah Abdullah, elder midwife, was our keynote speaker. I couldn't wait to see her and tell her that I finally began midwifery school.

They day had arrived for me to leave the STL and arrive in Portland, Oregon. I told my family good bye and sent little Kaleo off with a bag of kisses and hugs while he went to stay with his father in Texas during my conference. I boarded the plane with such anticipation and excitement. I didn't know what to expect, but I expected something great! I arrived in Portland at 1:30am Friday morning and arrived at the hotel and conference center at 3:00am. I was unable to check into my room until noon the next day so I hung out in the lobby with a doula from California and student midwife from Atlanta, Georgia. It felt like we had a slumber party with no sleep! We stayed up until 6:00 am telling stories, sharing cosmic mysteries, and learning more about eachother.

We quieted our laughter and began to prepare for our 6:00am yoga class. Tomasina, a sister midwife offered her room for us to change into our exercise gear. We arrived in class eagerly ready to release our bodies into the earth and bring solace to our hearts. I seen my doula sister in love Blue in which we exchanged warm greetings and smiles. We breathed deeply into our womaness, meditated to peace, and relaxed our minds to the soulful grooves our ealry morning Yoga mixtape. Following class we had a full hot breakfast waiting on us. We chowed together, trading smiles, warm hugs, and hello's to our fellow sisters. We all went and found places to change for our conference was soon to begin.

The conference continued to be one blessing after another. It opened beautifully with a song and libation from our elders pictured above. We were then blessed by the grand entrance of Erykah Badu who sung her way to the stage while sharing her story of the three wise women who raised her. She also shared her life awakening story of how she became a Doula and student midwife. She called forth for us to share our stories & wisdom of women. I raised up first and shared my mission and passion as the only black homebirth student midwife in St. Louis driven to create accessible access to black midwives for women of color in Ferguson and the surrounding areas. I talked about my three children and how they blessed the way for me to work with other women. She held my hands while staring deeply into my eyes and sayed, "Thank You for what you're doing." I learned that day that Erykah is also a Reiki Master as I am myself, so in that moment, the divine energy was one.

The remainder of my trip was amazing. I took classes on supporting our community for infant and maternal loss, suturing, herbs for postpartum healing, and so many more things. At the end of the conference I requested that the elders bless the hands of all student midwives, to give us support & wisdom along the way. All students gathered in a circle and the elder midwives moved in a spiral around us so that we were touched and acknowledged by each one! Talk about empowering and soul shaking!!

We then had the opportunity to utilize our energy and draw us to a mentor that would guide us for the forthcoming year. I chose my mentor which was a CNM from DC. We've spoke a few times online since the conference and I look forward to learning from her more!

l mingled with so many more amazing women afterwards. I finished the trip at the lake with two soul sisters paying homage to Oshun with fruit!! We later met up with a local doula who drove us to Trader Joes for a snack and whisked us all of to the airport together. What a truly wonderful and amazing way to spend an October, with sisters who uplift eachother and grow together.

I truly enjoyed my the ICTC conference!!

~Tru