![\"Jamarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MIA_01BLACKMATERNALHEALTHPT2.JPG\" "\\"Jamarah")
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Jamarah Amani, executive director of the Southern Birth Justice Network, enters the Mobile Midwife Clinic parked at Overtown Youth Center in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, April 16, 2026.<\/p>\n
Carl Juste<\/p>\n
cjuste@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related deaths than white women. In Miami-Dade County, Black women\u2019s maternal mortality rate is eight times higher than for white women, according to the Women\u2019s Fund Miami<\/a>. That\u2019s in part why Black women seek out midwives or Black obstetrician-gynecologists. As part of Black Maternal Health Week, the Miami Herald compiled a brief list of Black midwives and OBGYNs Black women might consider for their prenatal, birthing and postpartum needs.<\/p>\n Jamarah Amani<\/p>\n Jamarah Amani\u2019s journey to midwifery is rooted in birth justice. In 2015, after receiving an RV from her mentor Ada \u201cBecky\u201d Sprouse, she co-founded Southern Birth Justice Network. The nonprofit has a Mobile Midwife Clinic that provides prenatal and other health services to pregnant people in Miami-Dade County. You can learn more about Jamarah, Southern Birth Justice Network and their team of midwives at https:\/\/southernbirthjustice.org\/.<\/a> Dates and times on their mobile clinic can typically be found at their Instagram page, @southernbirthjustice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sheila Simms Watson<\/p>\n Known on Instagram as the @miamimidwife,<\/a> Sheila Simms Watson has been a midwife in Miami-Dade County for more than 20 years. She is head midwife at SBJN and, in 2001, founded the Spirit of Life Traditional Midwifery, an independent homebirth practice. Watson\u2019s journey with midwifery began with her first pregnancy. Her approach to midwifery centers a family\u2019s culture, religious belief and socioeconomic status. More about her and her approach can be found on the Spirit of Life website, https:\/\/www.miamimidwife.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Marion Colas-Lacombe<\/p>\n Owner of Essence OB-GYN in Plantation, Marion Colas-Lacombe was born and raised in Miami and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Jackson Memorial Hospital, which she credits for allowing her to \u201cto further develop and integrate the administration of culturally sensitive health care to the patients in her community.\u201d On her website, Colas-Lacombe\u2019s, said women and their health is her first priority when it comes to practicing medicine. More information about her and practice can be found at https:\/\/www.essenceobgyn.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Katia Magalie Apollon<\/p>\n Before moving to Miami in 2003, Katia Magalie Apollon worked at hospitals in Boston and was an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, where she treated patients and trained residents. She has her own practice at Miami MDs for Women, she has interests in abnormal uterine bleeding, contraceptive management, menopause, routine gynecologic care, minimally invasive procedures and general obstetrics. You can read more about Apollon at the Miami MDs for Women website<\/a>. Marie-Carmelle Liburd<\/p>\n Marie-Carmelle Liburd<\/a> works at North Shore Medical Center and Jackson North Medical Center, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Liburd, a native of Haiti, has more than 22 years of experience, specializes in high risk pregnancies and speaks fluent French, Spanish and Creole. You can schedule an appointment with Liburd by visiting https:\/\/jacksonhealth.org\/find-a-doctor\/marie-carmelle-liburd<\/a>\/.<\/p>\n