Kindred Cradle
About Us
Kindred Cradle was established to help future mothers; it is rooted in research and examines the experiences of Black mothers in healthcare environments. A significant finding during this research was that medical providers often did not listen to these mothers. Numerous studies (Witcraft et al., 2024, Ajayi et al., 2023b, Altman et al., 2019) emphasize the importance of listening to patients. Kindred Cradle strives to empower Black mothers in healthcare settings by helping them navigate a healthcare system that often fails them.
Our Vision
Kindred Cradle is a digital information toolkit created to advance birthing equity for Black mothers. It serves as a trusted, personalized hub, facilitating access to vital, evidence-based resources and education that empower Black mothers to have a safe and informed birthing experience. Kindred Cradle helps Black mothers navigate the entire journey—from prenatal to perinatal care—so informed decisions can be made with confidence.
Our Founder: Shunale Oliver, LMSW
Kindred Cradle was conceived as part of Shunale's capstone project for her doctoral degree. As a social worker, wife, and mother, Shunale developed an interest in Black maternal health following her own birthing experience in 2018. Based on her personal experiences and evidence-based research, Shunale recognized that Black mothers deserved better care throughout the prenatal, birth, and postpartum stages. She saw an urgent need for immediate action and aimed to create a resource that Black mothers could access instantly, wherever they are, to help them advocate for their health. Shunale believes that knowledge is power and that no one can take away what you know. Kindred Cradle is an evolving toolkit committed to providing up-to-date information and education.