Nicole 'Nkoyo Ojuok' Richmond

Jasmin Johnson is a Dallas native that strongly believes representation matters. Raised in a house full of women, she spent most of her time with her granny (Mary Helen Scott) who was born on the floor of a house in South Dallas. Mary’s mom was a midwife and her mom’s mom was a midwife. The divine feminine presence in Jasmin’s bloodline has always been unwavering and undeniable. This paved a way for Jasmin’s ancestral calling which couldn’t be
put off or ignored. You must be the change you want to see.
Throughout her education, Jasmin had an affinity for math and science. She’d taken her fair share of nutritional science classes at Texas State University. She also worked in different areas of the service industry during most of her professional career. As smooth as
things were going, we all know life never goes as planned. You are always where you need to
be, nevertheless.
In 2015, Jasmin found herself pregnant, away from family, and lost. She’d never made a bottle, changed a diaper, or even babysat a child. Despite her reservations, she decided to keep the baby. She had a healthy, full term pregnancy yet somehow found herself in
a hospital being wheeled off to an operating room for an emergency C-section. Jasmin hadn’t yet realized the power she possessed not only as a black woman but as black woman creating a life. The baby was under construction as was she. All she needed was guidance, support, and a listening ear.
In 2018, Jasmin’s relationship with plants began. What started out as planting tomato seeds with her son quickly turned into strawberries, peppers, greens, herbs, etc. Her garden was a haven and a school. In December 2020, Jasmin received her doula certification in a program created specifically for Black women taught by Black women. This set the stage for Jasmin to be more of a lending hand and serve the community she was raised in.
There are so many women that start this journey unsupported and in the dark. She believes that psychologically speaking, Henry Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has proven time and time again that we as humans do better if there is a sense of togetherness. This means a lower infant mortality rate for people of color, a decrease in the Cesarean section, and less bouts of postpartum depression. All due to the fact that someone was there to assist and most importantly serve you. Jasmin will be a servant to families in her community and being a doula is just the beginning.
put off or ignored. You must be the change you want to see.
Throughout her education, Jasmin had an affinity for math and science. She’d taken her fair share of nutritional science classes at Texas State University. She also worked in different areas of the service industry during most of her professional career. As smooth as
things were going, we all know life never goes as planned. You are always where you need to
be, nevertheless.
In 2015, Jasmin found herself pregnant, away from family, and lost. She’d never made a bottle, changed a diaper, or even babysat a child. Despite her reservations, she decided to keep the baby. She had a healthy, full term pregnancy yet somehow found herself in
a hospital being wheeled off to an operating room for an emergency C-section. Jasmin hadn’t yet realized the power she possessed not only as a black woman but as black woman creating a life. The baby was under construction as was she. All she needed was guidance, support, and a listening ear.
In 2018, Jasmin’s relationship with plants began. What started out as planting tomato seeds with her son quickly turned into strawberries, peppers, greens, herbs, etc. Her garden was a haven and a school. In December 2020, Jasmin received her doula certification in a program created specifically for Black women taught by Black women. This set the stage for Jasmin to be more of a lending hand and serve the community she was raised in.
There are so many women that start this journey unsupported and in the dark. She believes that psychologically speaking, Henry Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has proven time and time again that we as humans do better if there is a sense of togetherness. This means a lower infant mortality rate for people of color, a decrease in the Cesarean section, and less bouts of postpartum depression. All due to the fact that someone was there to assist and most importantly serve you. Jasmin will be a servant to families in her community and being a doula is just the beginning.
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Nkoyo was da bomb a** doula! Honestly, she was more than a doula for me and my baby. She was my Super Wombman. Throughout my entire labor, she was comforting, attentive, supportive and an exceptionally excellent doula. My labor contractions were intense. Without Nkoyo's experience and passion for being a caregiver, I strongly believe I would of bailed and jumped ship, left the birthing center and went to the nearest hospital (a place where I absolutely didn't want to go). I am truly thankful and proud of the decision to have by my side my forever Super Wombman doula, Nkoyo. Words really can't describe how fortunate I was to be blessed and graced with Nkoyo the doula. I and my son Ezekiel sincerely give thanks to Nkoyo and the RootMama team for being our rock!
Tabrina M.
Birthing Center Mom / Dallas, TX
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When I had my son, I was experiencing a very challenging birth. I felt nothing was going as I had planned it. That's why I am so grateful to Nkoyo for being there to assist me through my son’s birth.
She was the only person actually listening to my concerns and voicing my concerns to the doctor who was trying to pressure me into procedures and medication I didn’t want. She acted as an advocate for my son’s birth to be as natural as it could have been in a deadly situation. She understood that I wanted to treasure the memories of my son’s birth as well as nursing him for the first time. Under the medication and/or procedures the doctor was recommending I wouldn’t have had those opportunities. With the pressure building Nkoyo ushered people out of the room. She performed relaxing massages and breathing exercises so I could focus and bring my blood pressure down.
Her techniques allowed me to receive less invasive procedures or medications. I am thankful I was clear minded and could remember what was important to me, EJ’s birth and me nursing him for the first time! If you are able to receive her care you are in great hands!
She was the only person actually listening to my concerns and voicing my concerns to the doctor who was trying to pressure me into procedures and medication I didn’t want. She acted as an advocate for my son’s birth to be as natural as it could have been in a deadly situation. She understood that I wanted to treasure the memories of my son’s birth as well as nursing him for the first time. Under the medication and/or procedures the doctor was recommending I wouldn’t have had those opportunities. With the pressure building Nkoyo ushered people out of the room. She performed relaxing massages and breathing exercises so I could focus and bring my blood pressure down.
Her techniques allowed me to receive less invasive procedures or medications. I am thankful I was clear minded and could remember what was important to me, EJ’s birth and me nursing him for the first time! If you are able to receive her care you are in great hands!
Teresa C.
VBAC Mom / Fort Worth, TX
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