Fourth-generation midwife Racha Tahani Lawler-Queen has made history by opening Virginia’s first Black-owned birthing center, Gather Grounded Midwifery, in Chesterfield County.
The center provides a safe, welcoming and culturally-affirming space for Black, brown, indigenous, and LGBTQIA parents to give birth outside the hospital setting. Lawler-Queen was inspired to open the facility after participating in a home birth in her 20s.
“We have seen as midwives when the care provider reflects the community, then the community has better outcomes,” Lawler-Queen explained about her motivation for the center. Gather Grounded Midwifery officially reopened in August 2022 after permit issues required finding a new location.
The birthing center has an intentionally designed family room, healing room and birthing room to support diverse families in a warm environment without fear or unnecessary interventions.
$30,000 Raised to Launch Birthing Cottage
Gather Grounded Midwifery was able to officially launch and open its doors thanks to over $30,000 raised through community donations and support. Lawler-Queen said the launch process has been like “labor” with unpredictable twists and turns.
However, she said the community made it possible through generous monetary contributions in addition to donations of art, toys, diapers and other supplies for the facility ahead of its August grand opening.
Lawler-Queen told local news station WTVR that the strong show of support “really gives [families] even more power and a greater voice and provides them an opportunity without fear to birth in freedom.”
First Black-Owned Center Provides Culturally Competent Care
As the first and only Black midwife-owned birth center in Central Virginia, Gather Grounded Midwifery focuses on providing high-quality, culturally competent care.
Lawler-Queen, a licensed midwife with over 20 years experience, holds monthly tours and informational gatherings at the center for expectant parents. She provides opportunities for apprenticeships specifically for Black midwifery students.
Client Jeanine Rogers said Lawler-Queen supported her during pregnancy “while being wrapped in her knowledge of supporting Black women like myself, she is priceless, essential, and very necessary!”
The onsite birth cottage allows low-risk women the choice of accessible out-of-hospital births, including the option of water births if desired. Educational offerings including midwifery classes are also available.
