Like many, Leslie's journey to birth work and birth justice began with her first pregnancy almost 10 years ago. Leslie found safety and comfort under the care of a Black midwife, circumventing the racist and outdated hospital system. She completed a Perinatal Education program with the Midwest Maternal Institute in 2018, obtaining Doula Certification, Birth Educator Certification and Lactation Support Certification. Leslie served as both Doula and Board Member for the Chicago Volunteer Doulas organization, working directly with Black & Brown women in crisis and adolescent pregnancy.

In 2022, Leslie completed the Black Sisters Birth Academy clinical Birth Assistant program as well as UCSD’s Lactation Educator program. She is currently Program Director, Childbirth Educator and Midwifery Assistant at San Diego Community Birth Center. Additionally, Leslie works as a Perinatal Navigator with the Healthy Start program, supporting Black & Immigrant families with healthcare and educational resources to positively improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

A staple of the San Diego birthing community, Leslie supports community partnership programs such as For The Village Doula Services as well as statewide policy work with the Whole Child Equity Partnership and BIPOC cross-state advisory group. Accessible midwifery care for Black families is her passion and has led her to begin her journey as a student midwife. Leslie believes in a mother’s innate ability to birth naturally, bestowing her clients and students with the tools and support to achieve their desired birth experience. Leslie moved to San Diego in 2020 and shares three joyful children with her husband. She is mama to Nari, born naturally with Midwife Racha, and mommy to Teddy and Teo both born naturally with Midwife Nikki.