Meet a Mae Doula: Angelene Love

“I do this because… it is what I was called to do and where I was placed to be. Black women and children are dying and if I can help to save at least one life my purpose is fulfilled.”

Meet Angelene Love, a Mae doula who is on the ground in Belleville, Michigan raising awareness for Black maternal health disparities.

What called you to birth work?

“I believe in divine purpose and that is exactly what birth work (heartwork) is for me. This is truly what I have been called to do and it brings me the greatest sense of purpose and joy. The first birth I ever supported was for my mom when I was just 11 years old. She had my sister in our family’s living room with the support of an amazing midwife, my daddy, and me. I cheered her on, played music, and cooked a big pot of grits when my sister was earthside. Instinctually, I was called to support, encourage, and nourish her. I had no clue what a doula was then nor would I for years but once I found the term, it was just a name for ways I had been showing up for ] friends and family. Having the privilege of being in such a calm, empowering birth space at such a young age really pushes me to help families understand that they can empower themselves to have the birth they desire even if it’s something they never heard of or seen before.”

How long have you been doing this work?

“I have been supporting families for over two decades, but have been an officially trained doula in the state of Michigan for over a year.”

When you’re not being a doula, what other work do you do?

“I am passionate about all things birth and advocacy-related. My passion, drive, and hustler mentality has provided me with additional ways to support families in a few other capacities.

I got into doula work more heavily because of my ongoing passion for educating and empowering Black women to be able to breastfeed to take back our lactation journeys with our babies. So I spend a lot of time doing lactation education and visits. I am also very passionate about advocacy. I work with other families to understand what their rights are, how to advocate for themselves and their babies, and how to choose a doula that is right for them.

I am the Grant and Project manager for a company called Coffective. In this role, I work on various grants to develop authentic partnerships and collaboration between hospital systems and the community. I am able to uplift Black-owned and led birth workers who can provide support to clients in the local hospital systems through collaboration. With the input from the community, and through sustainable relationship building, we can dismantle the systems that were designed to keep us at the bottom.

I am also the Program Coordinator for Mama’s Mobile Mobile Milk, a human milk delivery program that ensures any baby who has been separated from its lactating parent can still receive their milk eliminating transportation as a barrier. This program started off as a way to support families with NICU and CPS separation but we will soon be able to additionally support all the incarcerated birthing people in our state after years of perseverance and advocacy.

Additionally, I am the Program Director for Survivor Moms’ Companion (SMC) a psychoeducational program that provides near-peer support to moms who have experienced childhood trauma or mistreatment that tends to resurface during pregnancy. This program has really helped me support my doula clients and help them with coping mechanisms as they continue to heal their trauma and parent.

Finally, I work with Mae to elevate the support they offer to not only clients but doulas! The way they support clients and doulas is really refreshing and unmatched. As a doula, mom, (and sooo much more as you can see by my many roles,) it is a breath of fresh air to have Mae support my doula business.”

What are five words that you think your clients would describe you as?

“Dependable, supportive, relatable, non-judgemental, and a good cook!”

What did you want to be as a kid, and how does that tie into what you do now?

“As a kid, I wanted to be a health (education) teacher. I traded in the school system for community work and I think that was the best thing. I have always loved helping people understand the WHY behind things, and now I am able to do that with one of the most important things we all need to understand reproductive health. I can do reproductive health education and justice work every day in my clients’ homes, over the phone, in community spaces as well as in the hospital. The more we understand the more informed we can be to empower ourselves and our health journey”

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Are you a parent? If yes, how many kiddos do you have?

“I have two amazing sons! They are both very active in sports and keep me busy. They also are fully immersed in the birth world by attending visits with me and events. They can tell you all about doula support and breastfeeding and that makes me so proud and excited for their futures and all they will educate within their sphere of influence.”

When you’re not doing birth work, what do you enjoy spending your time doing?

“I enjoy resting, this work takes a lot mentally and physically so I try my best to take the time to rest and recenter when I can. I center myself by being in or near water. I like to travel to one of our beautiful lakes or spend time in my pool with my sons. It’s all of our happy places. If I am really lucky, a quick trip in between births with my husband, although I can’t sit too long or I will start planning my next move!!! I also love to attend and support my sisters in the birth world at events or things they have going on when I have the space!”

What is the essential item in your doula bag?

“I think the two items I use most from my bag are: Brand-new hydrating chapstick and a giant paper fan I got at the Beyonce Renaissance concert. I like both of these items because they offer a space for my client’s support person to put chapstick on them or fan them like a queen, for another intimate reminder this is their moment and we are all here for them. Clients tend to get hot in labor so the fan is great because it’s huge and makes a really nice breeze. While I have an electric one, the paper fan never fails if the battery runs out. Plus aesthetically and mentally it’s nice to be fanned.”

What is your go-to drink when you’re at a birth?

“Ice water with lemon! Doula work is a workout, for the body and the mind. I like to make sure that I am hydrated so that I am operating at my peak for my clients. I have a nice Yetti cup I was gifted that keeps it nice and cold and a little lemon lift to keep me moving and energized.”