Divine Bailey-Nicholas is the founder and chief executive officer of Community Birth Companion, a nonprofit dedicated to improving infant and maternal health. The organization provides childbirth education, breastfeeding counseling, doula services and advocacy to help families before, during and after childbirth. As a certified lactation counselor, doula and midwife apprentice, Divine brings culturally informed and holistic care to every family she serves.

Divine launched Community Birth Companion in 2012 after witnessing the alarming rates of infant and maternal mortality in her community. Determined to change those outcomes, she set out to provide families the support and care they often lack during pregnancy and early parenthood. Her expertise and compassion shape an approach built on trust and empowerment.

Community Birth Companion addresses critical gaps in maternal health by providing free education, one-on-one support and trained doulas to families who might otherwise go without. Programs like Café au Lait Breastfeeding Circle and doula trainings offer hands-on guidance and create networks of support for mothers and babies. Through outreach and advocacy, Divine is improving health outcomes and helping families make informed decisions and feel supported every step of the way.

Divine’s work is transforming maternal health in St. Landry Parish and beyond, building a space where families feel supported and prepared for the future. Her dedication shows in the trust she’s built, the barriers she’s removed and the lasting impact of care that continues well beyond birth.