Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Thomas.
Raven, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Healing and helping people has always been my call. As a child, I would prefer watching “A Baby Story” over cartoons any day. I learned (what’s now called “natural” or “holistic”) home remedies as a child, and would always be the one wanting to “take care of” people. As I watched people around me (daily women) battle chronic illnesses growing up, I decided that I wanted to embark on my journey to becoming a women’s health nurse practitioner. I started out as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) as a senior in high school. I then graduated from college and became licensed as a RN (registered nurse.) Shortly after graduating, my husband and I decided to start trying to grow our family. Unfortunately, my hopes of going to Nurse Practitioner school took a back seat after I was devastated by an infertility diagnosis. I lost my drive to help women, feeling less that adequate to work in a field surrounded by women doing something I wasn’t able to do. I spent the next 2-3 years researching and learning about holistic healing. I went on my own journey of detoxing and healing, naturally. I learned how plants have POWER. I became vegan, and “crunchy.” I documented my journey on social media to inspire others to live their best lives, by faith. I conceived my miracle son in 2017, naturally. This journey shaped me into the person I am today. Then, my experience as a pregnant, black mother in GEORGIA (which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates) reminded me of my original passion. Women, birthing babies. Breastfeeding. Did you know that less than 20% of women that start off breastfeeding are actually still exclusively breastfeeding at the six-month mark? Most people are shocked that I am still EBF my son at nine months. My call is to keep women and babies, families, healthy and ALIVE. I now spend my time as a breastfeeding, cloth diapering, natural parenting advocate while studying to become a lactation consultant and doula. I hope to one day be able to return back to rural South GA and serve my community. It’s amazing how life is full circle.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Defffffffffff, not a smooth road! I am from SOUTH GA! You know, where everything is fried-smothered-and covered in butter. I got so much slack for being “vegan.” Even more for “natural parenting and breastfeeding.” And don’t even get me started on what people had to say when I said I wanted cloth diapers instead of disposables. I just learned to remember my goals and let what people say roll off my back.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Everyday With Raye – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Everyday With Raye is the platform that I started documenting my journey on. I talk all things faith, infertility, TTC, PCOS, endometriosis, natural/holistic healing, motherhood, cloth diapering, baby wearing, and more! I am proud of myself, when I got started, I was one of the few black bloggers addressing these topics. I’m one of the women trailblazing the way for other women of color to follow! I will also be offering doula and lactation services by the end of the year (Shameless plug!)
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m most excited about becoming a doula and lactation consultant. Infertility attempted to suck the life out of me, and for a while- I allowed it to steal my passion. But, this feels like I’m getting back to me. I know that this is my God-given calling. Have you heard of the documentary, Death by Delivery? Black women are DYING giving birth, at an alarming rate. I’m here to change that statistic as a doula.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.everydaywithraye.com
- Email: everydaywithraye@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaywithraye/
Image Credit:
Elizabeth Ashley Photography, Farrahn T. Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
