Sumi's Touch full spectrum traditional birth worker training Part 1 is a 12 month virtual training intended to leave the participant with the information, skills, and confidence to support someone either as a professional or familial birth, loss, abortion and/ or postpartum support. This course includes over 120+ hours of online course work that is divided into weekly modules. The curriculum is made fully by Sumayyah Franklin, and consists of educational videos, an exclusive podcast by Sumi with esteemed guest, a workbook journal for reflections and note taking, extensive resources, a private portal to network and connect with your cohort members, and study groups in case you need additional support or just want to connect with others on the path alongside you.

The Community Learning Model (CLM) is an approach that I have formulated after training thousands of people just like you. I am extremely observant and attentive to what is working and what is not in general. Therefore, during and certainly after each cohort I have always upgraded, shifted, and improved my training. This is how it has expanded from just a few people in my living room, to thousands of people from all around the world. I never wanted to offer an online training because I was limited in my imagination and understanding of how I would emulate the deep connection and ceremony that was experienced in person. How would I replace the potluck lunches we had each day? Or the babies running around all free and barefoot? Or the tears….how would we hold each other when one felt triggered? However, what I have learned now after hosting dozens of online cohorts is that technology affords us the ability to be connected in ways that can truly transform us. We meet from all corners of the earth, through language barriers, timezones, cultural nuances, religious variety….Some of us will never be pregnant or give birth. While others have many children. It's through these experiences that this learning model emerged!

The Community Learning Model (CLM) is a multi-facetd approach to curating learning experiences in virtual space that foster connection, supports varying learning styles, and holds the participants accountable. This is also the solution to supporting with integration and embodiment of the information obtained. The CLM consist of:

—intimate learning pods

—encourages self-directed learning

—group and individual project/ activities

—collective responsibility and accountability

—non-hierchal learning support

—learning through teaching and sharing

—connection to a wider community

—mentorship

—co-working and debrief sessions (study group)

—self-determined pacing of the material

—resources!!

—continual education

The Virtual Circle is a curated community that is for parents and practitioners who support parents. Within this portal you will find various offerings, some reocurring and others as series. Throughout the years we have recorded and archived our offerings, workshops, and classes. Therefore, you will have access to hundreds of hours of pre-recorded material that cover various topics like body literacy, wellness, birth work, parenting, self-development, etc. When you sign up for the training you will gain immediate access to Virtual Circle for 12 months as included in your registration. This is where you will also find the links for our live sessions, the recordings in case you miss it or want to circle back, and our own private group for those within the training.

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You will also receive 12 months access to virtual circle, an exclusive online community of birth workers, sacred entrepreneurs, parents, and healers. Each month we will host master classes that Sumi herself

and other subject matter experts will facilitate. In addition, you will have access to the robust community and offerings within Virtual Circle! !

Our Philosophy:

 ✨ We believe that pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, and postpartum are all physiological processes that deserve support, tenderness, and sovereignty! 

 ✨We believe that traditional birth workers are essential care providers that optimize the experience and outcome for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people. 

 ✨ We believe that a resurgence of traditional midwifery model of care is essential in optimizing the reproductive experiences of Black (and all) people. 

✨ We believe that traditional birth work is a calling not a job. 

✨ We do not believe that you need a training to practice as a birth worker, but rather a training is a great way to deepen your practice, obtain essential skills, and to build community. Additionally, a training can save you years of learning via experience alone. 

✨ We believe that each person should be able to determine who they wish to provide support for them during any and all reproductive experiences and that full informed consent, care, and collaborative decision making should be practiced always.

Are You Calling in a Community of Aligned Birth Workers To Continue to Grow With During Your Training and Beyond?

So you have decided that you are ready to say yes…but what’s the next steps exactly? Honestly, I never took a training and I don’t believe you need one in order to practice as a birth worker neither. BUT the advantages of taking a training is that you get to learn lessons that took me at times decades, within moments or months. So often we reject support and guidance and convince ourselves that self-sacrifice and self-betrayal is strength. Im here to support you on your journey to feel held, seen, and resourced.

Throughout the years we have trained over 1,000+ people from all around the world. From our inception we have only trained Black, Indigenous, people of color. We have always centered the most marginalized and honor the legacy and resurgence of traditional midwifery. Why? Because a “doula” is a new word but a very ancient concept. They have convinced us that being a doula is where it stops but truly it's a portal of where it just begins.

My training is a space for you to remember what that means for you, your community, and your lineage. The people who are drawn to this space, that we all co-create together, are dynamic, radical, spiritual, and serious as fuck about optimizing the reproductive experiences of Black, Indigenous, and POC!  

Hear From Our Alumni:

" [I took] Sumi's All Black Cohort and my gosh was it life changing. The curriculum and the verbiage. The history and knowledge that is shared and taught you will not find anywhere else. You're able to learn and grasp every lesson from a complete level of understanding and gentleness. You're working on how to doula yourself which I believe to be key while showing up as a birth worker. All in all. I'm so thankful to have prayed and manifested for such a beautiful opportunity. I will definitely be taking yet another course with this lovely team of ladies as I continue in my spirit work of being a birth worker. Thank you so much "

— Shanai U.

"Sumi’s Doula training is truly unmatched. The expansive knowledge and community she creates is so transformative! After finishing part 1 I was ready to support folks in all parts of their journey! I went on to writing my own prenatal and postpartum yoga course and more! I’m headed to Part 2 in Colombia to fill my cup and gain more knowledge so I can share with others!” 

— Amanda

 “I went into Sumi’s training thinking I was going to learn how to support and help heal and care for people during birth, but I left healed. I left the training learning the importance of truly and deeply caring for oneself. This training changed my life.”

— Victoria 

“The all Black doula training was a transformational experience for me. I learned the importance of starting with self when it comes to caring for others. Before taking the training this was such a foreign concept for me, but once I learned it I have been way more present with myself and intentional about responding to my needs before anyone else’s. I also learned how to let go of the idea of perfection and ego. I truly emerged from this training as a better human and I’m so grateful to Sumi for this life changing offering.”

— Mama J 

“A testimonial from your amazing training: I can confidently say taking Sumi’s training changed the course of my life. I walked into that training knowing the minimum about what a doula is let alone the world of birth work and walked out with an abundance of knowledge. I also left with a feeling that I had found my calling! I now work as a full time doula helping black women in SF. If you are considering taking this training I wouldn’t hesitate, do what you need to fundraise or save because the cost is nothing compared to what you will walk away with 💕”

—Jaya 

Excuse Me If Im Wrong But….

1. You Have been feeling a call to birth work for some time now and you are finally ready to say “YES”
   
   
2. You have been searching for a training that feels aligned and you haven’t been able to find it…until now! 
   
   
3. You feel passionate about physiological birth, body autonomy, consent, decolonization, reproductive justice, herbalism, natural medicine, and dismantling systems of oppression…or you wish to be immersed and learn more! 
   
   
4. No one around you is surprised that you want to get into birth work….in fact they can easily see you thriving in this field! 
   
   
5. You often times find yourself holding space for other people, people feel safe in your presence, you cant even count how many people confide in you even total strangers! 
   
   
6. You are fed up and over hearing about the health disparities and ready to be apart of the solution! 
   
   
7. You are the Black sheep of your family….but you are also the one who is breaking generational cycles, healing your inner child, and placing needed boundaries. 
   
   
8. You feel more clear than ever that you want to say yes to this undeniable call! 
   

Midwives have been around since the beginning of time. In fact, the midwife is the oldest Profession in human history. For millions of years humans birthed in our homes: sovereignly, physiologically, and on our own terms. Midwives were an essential and honorable community member whose skill set expand much farther than simply “catching babies”. She was the community doctor, she supported in death rituals, she had remedies for nearly everything, she was a relationship counselor, she held high ranking in the community and her skills were seen as a gift from God. By a strategic plan the midwife was eradicated and made out to be uneducated, irresponsible, dirty, and unsafe. Why? Because of greed, capitalism, patriarchy, and anti-Black/ indigenous racism. Just 100 years ago 99% of people were born at home and today 99% are born in the hospital system. Knowing this history is a core objective of our curriculum. So many people are drawn to being a doula but very few know how and why the doula was created. 

The word "Doula" is new but the role is ancient. The doula was the apprentice midwife, the student, the assistant. She was destined to support her community with wrap around care that was highly informed by time tested practices and remedies. We must decolonize the way we approach the work if we are gonna decolonize birth, and it starts with remembering where we came from. We need us now more than ever because there is a system that is thriving due to our collective cultural amnesia and ignorance. A decolonial framework to me means striving to extract the intention our ancestors held in keeping the integrity of the medicine, even if we do not have access to the exact practices. If this resonates with you, then join us to dig much deeper and collectively decolonize through remembering together! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formatting of this course? Our Full spectrum traditional birth worker training is a virtual and a hybrid curriculum. meaning, you will be placed in your learning pods and together will move through the curriculum together. You will have 12 months to access and complete the curriculum. You can go as fast or slow as you desire within those 12 months. You must complete a modules for the next to release. Each week there will be a live virtual engagement that will alternate between Master Classes, Study Sessions & Community gatherings. You will also have access to recordings of previous Master Classes if you are interested in diving into even more gems.

Will I be able to serve as a doula after? will I be licensed or certified?

Doulas and traditional birth workers work independently. There isn’t a governing body that regulates Doulas and traditional birth workers. Therefore, there isn’t a license associated with this sector of work. There isn’t a requirement for you to take a training or be certified to support your community and loved ones. Your ability to serve as a doula is contingent on your individual confidence and clarity. The curriculum will provide you will more than enough information and skills to equip you to serve as a doula. We do not provide certification as it is arbitrary considering there’s isn’t a governing body. We provide a certificate of completion and community to support you before, during, and after your training.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we do offer payment plans. You can pay in monthly installments and if you miss a payment the system will try multiple times before removing you from the course. Please note that we have zero ability to switch your dates of when payment is due. If you are removed we can support in getting you back in the course. We also accept affirm, Afterpay, and PayPal payment plan options. You can find all of these options available for you to explore on the registration page here.

When does the course start? What’s the time commitment?

You will gain access to the curriculum and The Virtual Circle as soon as you sign up. This gives you the opportunity to begin your course work and start engaging with community immediately. The time commitment is about 5-7 hours each week including the modules and live meetings.

Do you offer a bundle with part 1 and part 2?

We do offer a bundle!! You will be able to consolidate your registration and save a bit too!! You can find the bundle here.

Do I have to take part 1? I rather learn from you in person…

I promise you that if you are just beginning your journey you definitely want to take part 1 before joining the advanced skills in person immersion (part 2). However, it’s not a requirement. The only requirement to join us for part 2 is that you are able to keep up with the curriculum. Please keep in mind that part 2 is intended for those who are already birth workers or have taken a training. The immersion is an advanced skills training whereas part 1 is an introductory or foundational course.

What does the training consist of?

The training consist of 12 months of virtual learning and community building. There are weekly modules that each student will complete. You can review an overview of the curriculum on here if you scroll up. All material in the modules are pre-recorded. There are weekly opportunities for us to connect live via zoom, and our community portal.

Who is this training for?

This training is for anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous person of color. I believw that everyone should learn about the process and other adjacent processes that has created each and everyone of us. You do not have to desire to serve others in order to be welcomed into the fam. People who identify as and socially navigate as a white person can support by donating to our community scholarship fund, sharing amongst their networks, or sponsoring a seat! If you'd like to sponsor a seat please email us at [email protected]

What is the time commitment?

The time commitment fluctuates from 5-7 hours/ week. This includes live calls, study groups, master classes, as well as completing the online modules each week.

How long do I have access to the course?

12 months unless you've purchased a lifetime extension. You can always upgrade to the lifetime access. we also offer monthly extensions if yo need more time than the allotted 12 months to complete the curriculum.

Why do you train POC only?

****I am dedicated to creating spaces where we can truly heal and transform. Since the inaugural training I have only trained people of color (aka no white people) because they have plenty of spaces that center them. We need spaces where we feel liberated, connected, seen, and safe to be vulnerable. The POC only cohort is a space that is extremely diverse calling in many cultures, languages, stories, and practices from people of the global majority. If you are a POC and you are seeking a space that is radically inclusive, culturally diverse, and a refuge so that you can heal from the harms of colonization and enslavement then this is the perfect space for you!

Who/ What is a POC?

A Person of Color (POC) is a term that was coined by Loretta Ross, an African American activist and educator . She intended to find a term that unified all non-white people in a coalition minded framework to fight against racism. Although I critique the ways in which this term can conflate the individual struggles that we each experience and give a false pretense that we are experiencing the same impact of racism, I use this term with the same intention that Ross did: in solidarity. POC is an attempt to see how we are much more similar than we are different without erasing the intersections that for sure impact us differently.

Who isn't a POC?

Over the years I have had many students who have self-identified as POC but benefit from being white-passing. I would like to extend my definition of who isn’t POC to those who live in this world as a white-passing person. For example, if you are from let's say Mexican and benefit from the racial dynamics there as a white person but in the US you have experienced some levels of othering due to your immigration status, that does not absolve your whiteness. This course is for those who do not get to choose when they are white or when they are non-white.

Is the course refundable?

No payments made by Registrant for any Sumi's Touch (ST) Program are refundable whether or not Registrant attends, participates in, or completes the applicable ST Program. If a Registrant is unable to complete a payment plan or participate in the enrolled cohort, the Registrants payments will roll over to a future training, workshop or service.

Terms of Agreement
Below you will find the Terms and Conditions applicable to your registration for programs with Sumi’s Touchl, LLC (“ST”). The terms “ST Program” or “ST Programs” shall be deemed to refer to any and all programs offered by ST. The term “Registrant” shall be deemed to refer to the person who is registering for and will participate in a ST Program. (1)Exclusive Terms and Conditions. ST does not accept any terms and conditions for registration for ST Programs other than those expressly set forth below and hereby offers ST Programs only upon the following terms and conditions. Registrant’s payment in full or payment of the first payment under an installment plan shall constitute Registrant’s assent to the terms and conditions set forth below. The terms and conditions of registration contained herein supersede all prior agreements, discussions, negotiations, proposals, or communications between ST and the Registrant. The terms and conditions of registration contained herein are not subject to amendment or modification unless expressly agreed to by ST in a writing executed by an authorized officer of ST. (2A) Payment Terms. No payments made by Registrant for any ST Program are refundable whether or not Registrant attends, participates in, or completes the applicable ST Program. If a Registrant is unable to complete a payment plan or participate in the enrolled cohort, the Registrants will payments will roll over to a future training, workshop or service. (2B) Registrant may choose to pay for the entire program at the time of registration or to pay under an installment plan. If Registrant chooses to pay for a ST Program under an installment plan, Registrant authorizes ST to make automatic withdrawals from the credit or debit account Registrant provides at the time of registration for a ST Program. The dates on which ST shall make automatic withdrawals from Registrant’s account shall be determined according to the installment plan selected by Registrant at the time of registration. Registrant will lose the right to participate in a ST Program and will be removed from community groups if an automatic withdrawal is declined and not successfully completed in 7 business days. When the withdrawal is processed, ST shall charge Registrant a $35.00 processing fee for failed automatic withdrawal in addition to Registrant’s outstanding balance. Once withdrawal is approved, the Registrant can continue in the program and be added back to the community groups. (3)Program Transfer. No registration may be transferred to another ST Program date and/or location without the prior written consent of ST executed by one of its authorized officers. All transfer requests must be received by DTI no later than thirty (30) days prior to the original ST Program for which the Registrant registered. All transfer requests must be sent by the Registrant via email to ST at [email protected] and the assigned trainer for the original ST Program for which the Registrant registered. If ST accepts Registrant’s transfer request in writing executed by one of ST’s authorized officers, ST will notify Registrant. ST will transfer Registrant to a different ST Program upon Registrant’s payment of a one time $99.00 transfer fee. The transfer is valid for one year from the date of payment. (4)Program Cancellation. Registrant is responsible for the full payment of any registration cancelled by the Registrant at any time before the ST Program’s completion. Registrant may not cancel a registration and obtain a refund without the written consent of ST executed by one of its authorized officers. If Registrant becomes unruly or disruptive during the course of a ST Program, in the sole discretion of the on-site ST trainer, Registrant’s right to participate in the ST Program will be terminated and Registrant will not receive a refund. If ST cancels a ST Program for any reason, Registrant will have the option of receiving a full refund or registering for a different ST Program. (5)Release and Hold Harmless. Registrant hereby releases ST and its members, independent contractors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, of any nature arising out of or resulting from Registrant’s participation in any of the ST Programs or a certification ST conferred upon Registrant, except as may be caused by ST’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Registrant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless ST and its members, independent contractors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, losses, and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, of any nature arising out of or resulting from Registrant’s provision of services as a doula to any and all individuals. (6)Waiver and Severability. A waiver of a breach of any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not operate or be construed as a waiver or estoppel of any subsequent breach. In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in these Terms and Conditions shall for any reason be held unenforceable in any respect, such unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of these Terms and Conditions. (7)Governing Law and Exclusive Jurisdiction. All transactions between ST and Registrant shall be deemed to be entered into in the State of California and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of laws provisions. By accepting these Terms and Conditions and/or by registering for a ST Program, Registrant hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of the State of California for any disputes arising from, concerning, or relating to these Terms and Conditions, any transaction between or involving ST and Registrant, and/or any ST Program. (8)Signatures. Registrant accepts these Terms and Conditions through ST’s payment portal during registration for a ST Program by electronic signature. Registrant agrees such electronic signature constitutes an original signature.