Birthing Beautiful Communities: Strengthening and supporting families

Members of the Birthing Beautiful Communities team with their Business Impact Award.

The Birthing Beautiful Communities (BBC) nonprofit organization won the “Business Impact Award” at the Oct. 1 Akron Children’s More childhood, please.™ Awards. The award honors the tireless efforts of the BBC team to help at-risk babies make it through their first year of life.

About the organization

Founded in 2014, BBC is rooted in the belief that healthy childhoods begin with healthy, supported parents. The organization’s culturally centered care model aims to improve infant health, strengthen families and establish support to ensure ongoing family success.

BBC addresses a mom’s emotional well-being by pairing her with a doula, also called a community birth worker. “The doula provides support and education before the baby arrives – and is also present when the mom gives birth,” said Tonya Nicholson, a former doula who is now BBC’s senior director of programs and systems. “We receive some referrals from hospitals and providers, but most women learn of us through word of mouth. Or they are repeat clients.”

BBC’s services are free to moms in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. The organization cares for nearly 800 clients each year – and the social support of doulas is vital to these women who are at highest risk for infant death.

The social support of doulas is vital to these women who are at highest risk for infant death. “Infant mortality in this country is an epidemic, as Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to lose their child in the first year of life,” Tonya shared. “Our doulas help to stand in the gap. They help moms feel seen and heard. We provide our services to moms who otherwise may not be able to afford this supportive, life-saving care.”

Between BBC’s Akron and Cleveland offices, about 45 doulas provide support to families offering hands-on care, education and support. “I love interacting with moms and hearing success stories about our services making a difference!” Tonya said.

BBC improves infant health and establishes support to ensure ongoing family success. (Photo provided by BBC.)

Continuing care

After the baby arrives, the BBC client enters a new program called the Nurtured Nest. “Moms still have doula support in that crucial time after giving birth. In addition, they join group classes with other moms who have babies in the same developmental stage,” Tonya shared. “These support groups and classes address postpartum cares, concerns and unique challenges.

“The group classes also give moms support that extends beyond the doulas,” she continued. “Class participants bond with and encourage each other – and that’s very rewarding to witness.”

BBC also offers a resource center – where clients can get essentials like diapers, formula, strollers and car seats – and ride services. “Transportation is a barrier to medical care, and in some instances, access to healthy foods,” Tonya explained. “We provide rides to doctors’ appointments and in-person classes; grocery stores; job interviews; and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) appointments.”

New building coming in 2027

Construction of a new BBC headquarters and birth center started in August 2025. Located off East 65th Street and Chester Avenue in Cleveland, the facility will include 2 exam rooms and 4 birthing suites; medical team stations; and a community room for training and workshops. Construction should be complete in the spring of 2027, and the birth center will open shortly after that.

“Our moms tell us – and we see it for ourselves – that they don’t feel heard or safe in some traditional hospital settings,” Tonya said. “Unfortunately, we have seen recent examples of how Black women especially are overlooked and dismissed. It is not only disheartening but absolutely dangerous! Lives are being lost.

“Our new birth center will provide an intimate, safe and more holistic space for families to labor and bring their precious children into the world,” she shared. “Birth is sacred, and we want to treat it that way.”

Akron Children’s CEO Chris Gessner congratulates (L-R) Tracy Carter, newly appointed President and CEO of Trailhead Community Health Foundation; BBC Director of Corporate Partnerships, LeAirra Lacey; BBC board member, Tammara Humbert; BBC CEO, Jazmin Long; BBC Chief Advancement Officer, Chantel Tolbert; BBC Senior Director of Programs & Systems, Tonya Nicholson; and BBC Perinatal Support Program Manager, Jackie Hendon.

About the award

Tonya says the BBC team feels very honored to be recognized with a More childhood, please. Award. “It touches us deeply to know that we make a difference in our community,” she said. “We also hope the award helps to get our name out in the community. Our services are free to any pregnant woman in Summit or Cuyahoga counties. If you have a need, let us know.”

At the awards ceremony, Tonya appreciated the elegance and the chance to learn about all the honorees. “I almost cried listening to the stories of other award recipients,” she said. “It can be easy to forget how much good is being done, right in our backyard.”