Michelle Smith is a devoted wife, mother of five (four living children and one angel baby), and a passionate advocate for maternal and infant health. Her journey into birth work began through grief after the unexpected loss of her first child at 19 weeks. What began in heartbreak has since evolved into a mission rooted in empowerment, education, and healing.

Michelle is a Certified Doula (SMC), Certified Lactation Education Specialist (CLES), author, inspirational speaker, and Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) advocate. She currently serves as the Doula & Lactation Program Manager at the Black Parent Initiative’s Sacred Roots program in Portland, Oregon—a culturally specific nonprofit dedicated to improving birth outcomes, reducing disparities, and supporting families through culturally rooted care.

Through both her leadership and her personal story of “hope after loss,” Michelle has created meaningful spaces where mothers and families feel seen, supported, and empowered. She believes birth is not only the beginning of a child’s life, but also the transformation of a parent. Her work centers education, compassion, and advocacy to help families navigate pregnancy, loss, and postpartum with strength and grace.

Outside of her professional work, Michelle finds joy in her family, making coffee for fun, watching home improvement and cooking shows, and creating spaces for community healing. Whether supporting a mother through birth, advocating for families of loss, or mentoring future birth workers, her passion remains the same: to uplift, educate, and empower.