For more than 25 years, Joyce Clark has dedicated her life and career to supporting women and families during some of the most vulnerable and transformative moments of their lives. A practicing doula since 1998, she was inspired to enter the field following the birth of her first child, recognizing firsthand the need for more compassionate, informed, and empowering birthing experiences for women and families.
As Founder of the Birthingheirs Project, Inc., Joyce has worked to expand access to culturally responsive maternal health support by creating a comprehensive doula resource library that empowers aspiring Black and Brown doulas with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to serve their communities. Her work has helped elevate awareness of the vital role doulas play in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in communities throughout Boston disproportionately impacted by healthcare inequities.
Joyce is the Program Coordinator for the Center of Clinical Investigation and the Maternal Health Team Lead with the Family Partnership Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital where she continues her advocacy for equitable and community-centered maternal care. She also previously served as Birth Ambassador for DONA International, further advancing the profession on a national level.
A lifelong resident of Boston, Joyce has remained deeply engaged in civic and community leadership. She is an active member of the NAACP and served for 4 years as the Health Chair for the NAACP Health Care Committee. In addition, she was recently appointed as the Environmental and Climate Justice Chair for the New England Area Conference Region II of the NAAP. She also serves on the Standards Committee of Boston Ujima Project, a democratic member-run organization committed to returning wealth and opportunity to working-class communities of color.
A proud alumna of Cambridge College, Joyce earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Family and Community, followed by a Master of Science in Health Care Management. Through her unwavering commitment to maternal health, community empowerment, and social justice, Joyce Clark has become a respected advocate, educator, and leader whose impact continues to strengthen families and communities throughout Boston and beyond.