Connect BYJ
Our Mission
This initiative has three powerful pillars:
1
Training BIPOC midwives
Inviting local BIPOC midwives to train with the Birth Your Joi: Community Midwifery Project with the goal of increasing representation and diversifying the midwifery workforce in Indiana.
This will have a positive affect on Indiana maternal health that will span generations.
2
Free Prenatal Care
The midwives, and midwifery students, partnering with Birth Your Joi will provide free supplemental clinical prenatal group sessions for community members residing in 46222, 46218, and 4619 Marion county zip codes.
Making this high quality perinatal care more accessible helps remove one of the barriers to care for these underserved communities.
3
Community Based Perinatal Education
By providing free monthly perinatal education sessions in our focused communities pregnant and newly postpartum parents will have the opportunity to connect and learn together.
These informative sessions will be held during our twice monthly group perinatal sessions within Marion county. This allows our participants access to vital information that they may not have sought out or had access to otherwise.
Meet Our Founder
Joi Crenshaw, CPM, CDEM, PMH-C
Joi Crenshaw, CPM, CDEM, PMH-C is a midwife, childbirth educator, and holistic health advocate dedicated to advancing equitable maternal health. She serves as President of the Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition, Vice President of the Indiana Midwives Association, and a midwife with Sol Midwifery Services. Joi is the founder of the Birth Your Joi: Community Midwifery Project, expanding access to free prenatal care while training and supporting BIPOC student midwives. As clinical faculty at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College and the developer of a free community childbirth education curriculum, she is committed to transforming birth outcomes through compassionate, culturally responsive care.
Our Story
Birth Your Joi (BYJ) was born from the sorrows that so many birthing persons experience around their pregnancies and birthing experiences, specifically black women. We are well aware of what the problems are. We know that black birthing persons are more than twice as likely to die as a result of childbirth in North America just as our infants before their first birthdays.
BYJ seeks to focus on the solutions by way of community-centered holistic midwifery care. We truly believe that when birth is made safe for black birthing persons it will then be safe for ALL birthing persons.
BYJ seeks to not only reduce the rates of maternal and infant mortality, but to bring back the JOY! BYJ follows the midwifery model of care through the following ways:
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Holistic well-person care and routine check-ups
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Holistic Low Intervention Maternity Care alongside free prenatal group sessions that provide a maternity care home for birthing persons in Marion county who haven’t established care elsewhere.
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Comprehensive perinatal education via free community based classes
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Training and financial assistance for black and brown people aspiring to become midwives
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Self-Care: Knowing when it’s time to take off our capes and get serious about our mental wellness
Keynote Programs
Looking to get involved? We invite you to be a part of our community programming! Each program is intentionally designed to support pregnant people and their support systems through the journey pre-, post-, and post pregnancy.
Free Group Prenatal Care
Hosted twice a month on Mondays, take part in our group prenatals where you can:
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Ask a midwife questions your doctor may not have time to answer
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Indulge in a supportive space to talk about pregnancy
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Build community and find support for birthing and parenting
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feel nourished, respected, and cared for in these group classes
Strong Hands, Steady Hearts
For Dads, partners, and support people! Strong Hands, Steady Hearts offers:
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Practical tools to support your pregnant partner through pregnancy, birth, & postpartum
• A community of other fathers & support partners
• Honest conversations, answered questions, & real-life encouragement
• Resources to help you show up as a calm, informed, protective presence .
BYJ Clinic
Monthly free clinics designed to provide education and care to particiapants in support of healthy and happy pregnancy. Here, you can receive:
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Free midwifery care
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Pre and postpartum education
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Access to supplemental resources and support
@dmonae19
"My fav thing about being pregnant was coming to the group prenatal classes! So informative..."
Kaleaa Bussell
"I recommend 1000%"
@itz_coyaa
"So thankful to have found this group. The support before and after I had my baby has been truly appreciated. Thank you to Joi and her team 💜💜💜"
Our Partners
