Community Highlights: Meet Jessica Kenold of Assistmama

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Kenold.

Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began at one of the largest mother-child hospitals in Canada, where I worked in pediatrics, mother-baby, birthing units, and neonatology. There was one moment that changed everything for me: I supported a Haitian mother, like myself, who didn’t speak French or English. When the doctors needed to explain an important intervention during her pregnancy, I was the one who had to translate into Haitian Creole — and I saw the fear in her eyes. That moment stayed with me.

That same night, when I got home, I started researching how to become a doula. It was essential for me to find Afro-centered training, one that placed Afro-descendant culture at the heart of the curriculum, so I could offer truly adapted care to Black mothers — including the traditional Haitian postpartum practices I knew I wanted to bring into my work.

Almost 4 years later, here I am: a part-time doula and a full-time nursing student, working toward making perinatal care safer and more representative for women who look like me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been smooth. I created my Instagram page back in 2023, but for a long time it sat pretty quiet. It wasn’t until January 2026 that I decided this would be the year I committed to sharing educational content — about the doula profession, pregnancy, postpartum, and a sprinkle of traditional Haitian postpartum care. I started posting consistently from there.

Then in May 2026, during Haitian Heritage Month, I decided to do a 3-part Reels series on traditional Haitian postpartum practices. Those videos ended up going viral — which I definitely didn’t see coming! They brought in a wave of new followers, and that’s really when my community started to grow.

As you know, we’re big fans of Assistmama . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?

Assistmama is actually what led me to create From Bump to Baby (FBTB) — the idea came to me at 2am one night, almost like a lightbulb moment! FBTB grew into its own branch: a perinatal resource center built specifically for Black and racialized women in Montreal. We offer prenatal courses, workshops, and conferences, all led by Black healthcare professionals and perinatal workers. Everything is adapted to speak directly to Black women, so they walk in feeling like they’re in a safe space — one where they leave equipped, informed, and empowered, instead of becoming another statistic in the delivery room.

What sets me apart is that even on the hard days — juggling school, work, and funding both ventures out of pocket for now — my mission never wavers: Black women are my fight. I dream of Assistmama and FBTB becoming the trusted reference in Black maternal health — reliable, reassuring resources our community can always turn to. And I want people to know: even though I don’t have children of my own, that doesn’t stop me from showing up fully for women who look like me. It’s just in my heart. I guess it’s God’s purpose for me.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Find your why. I know that sounds cliché, but truly — stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to show up on social media and promote yourself. Don’t be shy about building your dream practice as a doula. You don’t have to be the “typical” doula you see all over Instagram — become the doula you would have wanted if you were a mom yourself. Be yourself. Talk about your services, let your personality show.

Go after opportunities and events where you can speak about your business and put yourself out there. And invest in yourself and your business — yes, in the beginning it can feel like it’s all expenses with nothing coming back. But when it comes from the heart, when it’s truly a passion, life rewards you in other ways. Money is a bonus, sure, but the doors this work opens for you? Wow. I wish someone had told me to start on social media sooner — the opportunities and the community it’s brought me have been incredible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://v0-assistmama-website-design.vercel.app/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistmama?stkn=MmRmMzV2bXNpY3B0
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@missjessicakenold?si=HaBLo7ppcDkRANYW