I am Charisse and as far as I can remember, I have been positioned and afforded the opportunities to empower children, girls, and women. From my days on the playgrounds, in higher education, and in many job positions over my 20 year career in the healthcare field, I have always felt that my purpose was to stand in the gap for those who felt unheard, unseen, or unloved. I have been positioned as mama and/or mentor in one form or another to those that were in need. Those who have come along my path over the years seeking emotional, physical, and spiritual support, I have been fortunate to assist because God has blessed me with this capacity of aid.

Drawing back on my first time experiences as a new mother and reflecting on what my mama and grandmother implanted in me while in their care, I knew that I wanted to offer those things to my own family. After supporting and coaching my own daughter from prenatal through postpartum with my first grandchild, I realized that I wanted and needed to birth something that would serve my own community of birthing persons and their families in this same manner.  I also wanted it to be guided with the same type of tender hands that encouraged, and nurtured me and in that spirit, I birthed Black Butterfly Doula LLC.