Alreema Vining
President & CEO, Curriculum Developer & Training Facilitator
Alreema Vining has always had a passion and love for helping pregnant women and infants since she was a child. Her journey with infant and maternal health started under the City of Newark summer youth employment program, assisting families at the local health clinic. A few years later, Alreema completed an Infant & Toddler Childcare Giver (CDA) course at Union County College, where she began teaching preschool. In her teacher role, she found herself fulfilling the duties of a postpartum doula when families of the center would call upon her for support and care of their newborns.
Alreema is a Newark, NJ, native. Her roots are Southern African American, and Blackfoot Native American, and a wonderful mom to 3 children. She is a 7 time trained and 3 time certified Full Spectrum Doula and a Medicaid Doula for New Jersey and Virginia. She officially earned the title of doula in 2018, which prompted her road to holistic healing after suffering a near fatal traumatic delivery and battle with postpartum depression the year prior. Alreema focuses on supporting the family as a whole and specializes in everything from postpartum to newborn care, including bereavement for marginalized communities.
Today, Alreema holds many titles and accomplishments. She currently sits on 2 boards focusing on community based doulas; is a member of the birth justice task force; contracts as a program consultant designing new maternal programs; is a contracted Medicaid postpartum doula and postpartum coordinator for a local birth center where she teaches postpartum classes; and is a contracted program manager for DMAHS assisting doulas through the FFS enrollment processes. She is the founder and owner of her own doula practice called Nurturing BayBees, d/b/a Nurturing Families Two; the founder & executive director of the Saving Parenthood Foundation; and President & CEO of AAVE Doula Collaborative. Best of all, she is a forever learner as she is a Public Health student with a goal to obtain her doctorate degree in Public Health.
Jacquelyn Thompson
Vice President of Organizational Strategy & Training Facilitator
Jacquelyn Thompson had a lifelong fascination with childbirth and matters pertaining to women's health promotion and the well-being of their offspring. Her lineage is that of Creek, Cherokee, Lenape, Mohawk, Sioux, and Blackfoot nations, African American, and Scottish. Her history is rich with midwives and medicine women. Jacquelyn is a sixth generation resident of Closter, NJ. Her family is one of the oldest families in Bergen County. Numerous books have been written about her family, located in the Library of Congress. She will be a fifth-generation midwife upon completion of her midwifery studies. Her infinite passion and research for over 20 years has been focused on lowering infant and maternal mortality rates in women and infants of color.
As a medical doula for 26 years, she has assisted in numerous births with midwives and doctors. Having participated in home, hospital, and water births, Jacquelyn advocated for women and children who were victims of rape and molestation and helped victims heal from trauma and PTSD. Jacquelyn was co-founder and co-owner of an outpatient mental health and substance abuse facility for 19 years that employed 120 licensed professionals. In 2006, she founded New Paths Doula Services, which mentored pregnant women and teens who had substance abuse and borderline personality disorders. She has assisted in educating families and collaborated with Jersey College in teaching their nursing students about better prenatal care, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, empathy, and communication within the medical system.
Jacquelyn is the mother of one son and is currently working with Saint Joseph University Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey, to lower cesarean rates and reduce medical interventions in red, black, and brown people. She is the current owner of The Ivory Doulas’ and is a New JerseyMedicaid provider and nursing student.
Shayvonne Anderson
Vice President of Community Engagement & Training Facilitator
Shayvonne Anderson is a certified birth and postpartum doula serving families in Newark, NJ, and beyond for nearly five years. Her journey into the world of maternal and newborn care is deeply rooted in her own experiences as a wife, mother of seven, and grandmother of three. Shayvonne’s rich family life has equipped her with a unique understanding and empathy, which she brings to every client she supports. Her practice is centered on providing holistic, personalized care that respects and honors each family’s unique needs and preferences.
In addition to her doula work, Shayvonne is an active member of her community and church, advocating for better maternal health outcomes by increasing support for new families. She is committed to empowering parents with the knowledge, resources, and emotional support necessary for a positive birth and postpartum experience. Her services include prenatal education, labor support, and postpartum care, ensuring a continuum of care that nurtures both the parents and the newborn.
Shayvonne’s clients often praise her calming presence, unwavering support, and the personalized attention she provides. Her dedication to her craft and her community has made her a beloved and trusted figure in maternal and newborn care. Shayvonne continues to expand her knowledge and skills, staying abreast of the latest developments in maternal health to provide the best possible care for the families she serves.
AAVE Doula Staff
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AAVE Doula Collaborative is an equal employment opportunity organization that ensures our staff is diverse, and culturally competent.
