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Chanel Porchia-Albert is a multifaceted mama, wife, activist, doula, consultant, speaker, and innovator.

Chanel Porchia-Albert

Chanel L. Porchia-Albert is a remarkable mother of six children and the esteemed founder and CEO of Ancient Song.

Chanel Porchia-Albert, CD, CPD, CLC, CHHC is committed to improving infant and maternal health. This commitment led her to create Ancient Song, a global birth justice organization dedicated to eradicating maternal and infant mortality and morbidity among Black and Latinx communities. Chanel’s passion has also taken her around the world, including Uganda, where she served as a maternal health strategist, and to Ethiopia where she is working with the Ministry of Health to establish a doula program in Addis Ababa.

Chanel's groundbreaking efforts in birth and reproductive justice encompass research, care methodologies, and a steadfast focus on centering marginalized groups and people of color. Her work is rooted in a human rights framework, driving transformation within birthing rooms and instigating institutional reforms that address implicit bias and racism. Her expertise has been sought by organizations such as AMCHP and the New York City Department of Health in Mental Hygiene. She played a vital role in the creation of the New York City Standards for Respectful Care at Birth. Furthermore, she has been appointed as a Commissioner by NYC Mayor Eric Adams to the NYC Commission for Gender Equity.

Chanel's contributions have been widely recognized and celebrated.

Her impactful work has been presented at esteemed institutions like the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, shedding light on the urgent need to adopt a birth justice framework within hospital-based institutions to transform the culture of care. She has served on the advisory board at Ariadne Labs at Harvard Medical School and as a Board Member for organizations including March for Moms, Birth Future Foundation, and Village Birth International. Notably, her work and that of Ancient Song has garnered media attention. Chanel has been featured on CNN's Champions for Change and in The New York Times, SELF Magazine, and Vogue Magazine.

In a remarkable partnership, Chanel has collaborated with the BabyDove Black Birth Equity Fund to provide grants for doula services nationwide, specifically targeting Black women and pregnant individuals. Most recently, her invaluable contributions were recognized when Vice President Kamala Harris personally interviewed her, shedding light on her impactful work as a doula and its profound influence on Black Maternal Health.

In addition to creating Ancient Song in 2008, Chanel is a Co-Director of Just Birth Space, an Adjunct Professor of Public Policy at Marymount Manhattan College, and a consultant to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

CHANEL'S PHILOSOPHY

“Everyone deserves to have equitable healthcare that addresses their own unique needs. We all have the human right to bodily autonomy to exercise our reproductive health decisions.”

CHANEL’S WORK

Chanel in Action

Chanel has attended over 100 births in a variety of settings, from home births to hospitals and birthing centers in the United States and abroad. Chanel is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Full Spectrum Doula, Certified AAP/NRP(neonatal resuscitation), Midwifery Assistant, Full Spectrum Doula Trainer, Reproductive Justice & Health Advocate, and speaker on Birth Justice & Health Equity.

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CHANEL’S QUOTES

“I wanted to create a collective community shift in how all birthing people were accessing healthcare services.”

“The doula for me is someone who is like a spiritual warrior.”

“Ideally what someone needs is for their humanity to be seen.”

Featured Media

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CONSULTING

Work With Chanel

Chanel works with organizations interested in addressing systemic racism and structural oppression in a holistic manner. Chanel is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and doula trainer.

  • Chanel’s work emerges from an anti-racist medical model of care to not just center individuals but entire communities. She works with her clients to help them integrate reproductive justice, birth justice, and anti-racism into their programs and policies.​

  • Chanel is a prolific speaker. Contact us to book her for a speaking engagement.

  • Chanel works with organizations to train community members to become doulas. Learn more about training here.

Let's realize birth justice

Let's realize birth justice

Realizing reproductive and birth justice is possible. With commitment to Black and Latinx birthing people, we can shift healthcare experiences and outcomes.