DAWA Wellness Leader Training

A Transformative One-Day Retreat for Perinatal Professionals

Join DAWA for an immersive, one-day experience rooted in ancestral wisdom, food-based healing, and community-centered care. This retreat is designed to equip maternal and child health workers with culturally aligned, practical tools to nourish birthing families—especially in Black and Brown communities.

Adapted from our beloved four-week DAWA Maternal Nutrition Training, this format delivers the same powerful content in a high-impact, in-person retreat designed for deep engagement and immediate application.

What to Expect

This interactive retreat includes:

• Grounding rituals + ancestral storytelling

• Hands-on wellness stations (food prep, herbal remedies, womb care)

• A nourishing lunch + embodied movement

• Small group reflection and healing dialogue

• Completion of a Community Activation Plan (CAP)—a personalized wellness offering you’ll bring back to your community

• A certification ceremony and closing ritual

DAWA Maternal Wellness Certification

At the end of the retreat, each participant will receive the DAWA Maternal Wellness Certification—a recognition of your commitment to ancestral, community rooted care for birthing families.

Certified leaders will walk away with:

• Confidence in applying ancestral food and plant wisdom to maternal and infant health

• Tools to support families holistically—through nutrition, emotional support, and ritual

• Evidence-informed strategies that address systemic health disparities

• A listing in the DAWA Leader Directory at dawaisjoy.com, where community members can find and connect with trained wellness leaders

• Ongoing access to seasonal learning sessions & curated resources

• Recognition as a trusted resource in maternal and community wellness

Who It’s For

This training is ideal for doulas, home visitors, maternal health professionals, lactation consultants, and community wellness leaders who want to confidently integrate ancestral nourishment and whole person wellness into their existing practice.

A Note on Childcare

Childcare will be available in a very limited capacity for those who absolutely need it. If you have other options, we ask that you join us solo so that those who do not have support can be present and fully experience this offering.

Why It Matters

This is more than a training. It's a call to reclaim culture, reweave care, and nourish the next generation through ancestral wisdom and community leadership.

Join the growing network of DAWA Wellness Leaders and begin activating change—one meal, one story, one family at a time.

FAQ

1. What is the DAWA Wellness Leader Retreat?

It’s a one-day immersive training and retreat for maternal and child health workers, rooted in

ancestral foodways, womb wellness, and holistic community care.

2. Who can attend?

This retreat is designed for doulas, midwives, lactation professionals, birth educators, home

visitors, maternal and child health workers, and anyone supporting families in the childbearing

years. We also welcome returning leaders; however, priority is given to new participants as most

of the content builds on previous years. This experience is for those who want to share this

wisdom with the community.

3. Do I have to attend both days?

No. Each one-day retreat is a full experience on its own. You can choose either session date

that works best for you. Choose August 9th or August 17th.

4. Is childcare provided?

Yes, but childcare is very limited and can only accommodate 5–10 children. Spots are

first-come, first-served, so please indicate your childcare needs when you register.

5. What’s included in the day?

All sessions, hands-on wellness activities, a nourishing lunch, herbal tea, materials, and

certification as a DAWA Wellness Leader upon completion.

6. Do I need to bring anything?

Just yourself! Comfortable clothing, a water bottle, and an open heart. Journals, reusable

utensils, and all supplies are provided.

7. What will I learn?

You’ll gain practical tools in ancestral foodways, womb nourishment, herbal medicine,

community leadership, and how to apply these practices in your work and life.

8. What will I leave with?

• Certification as a DAWA Wellness Leader

• Ancestral wellness practices you can use immediately

• A supportive network of other leaders

• A community activation plan to take back to your work/family

9. Is this retreat only for Black and Brown birth workers?

While the training centers Black and Brown maternal health and ancestral wellness, all are

welcome to join and learn from this perspective. We do ask that you serve the black and brown

community in your work.

10. How does this training address maternal and infant mortality?

We center food as medicine and culturally rooted care to provide preventative tools that support

families, reduce complications, and strengthen generational health outcomes.

11. How does this training address maternal and infant mortality?

We center food as medicine and culturally rooted care to provide preventative tools that support

families, reduce complications, and strengthen generational health outcomes.

12. What is the learning style of the retreat?

It’s a retreat, so the atmosphere is comfortable and nourishing, but we also share a lot of

information. The day blends hands-on activities, interactive group work, some short lectures,

and movement breaks to keep the energy flowing. Everything is designed to keep you engaged

without feeling like you’ve been sitting in a training all day.

13. Is the training really free?

Yes, this retreat is completely free for participants thanks to funding from Healthy Start. We do

ask that you treat it like a true investment in yourself and your community. Please show up fully,

be present, and honor the space and energy that goes into offering this experience at no cost to

you.