Bryanna Chancellor (she, her, hers)
My name is Bryanna Chancellor, I identify as a mother, a Montessori teacher, a Birth and Postpartum Doula, a fighter for justice, a case worker. I have a passion and love for people that motivates and moves me. I believe God has led me to many open doors that allow me to grow and support others in the process! I am blessed to feel so much overwhelming joy in my roles!
Get to know Bryanna better
What are some of the things you enjoy most in life? What keeps you inspired, re-charged, and brings you joy?
What I enjoy in life the most is motherhood, interacting with my daughter and watching her learn and grow, she teaches me so much! I enjoy the honor of walking besides individuals experiencing pregnancy. I find so much joy and peace in my faith and spiritual support! When I am afforded the opportunity to travel, I take it, experiencing new things with my daughter is so much fun!
When you look back over your whole life – What experiences have shaped you as a woman? and how?
Looking back on my life the most significant change which shaped my path was becoming a mother. My daughter was an infant and the daycare centers I explored were not equipped, clean, or loving enough for this pure, wonderful human being ready to grow and learn! My solution to create a safe space for her and other babies to grow and thrive was to start a home daycare. This quickly shifted to Montessori education which I absolutely fell in love with at an open house. The holistic approach and respect was everything I was looking for, for my little one. I had a passion and was so excited about this environment that at this open house I left with a great opportunity; I was offered a sponsorship for my education and a classroom to open at this school! This was an amazing experience. I obtained my master’s degree in education specializing in Montessori assistance to infancy (0-3). I had the opportunity to teach for a couple years as a lead in a classroom I opened.
Due to covid the school shut down and I started another path. I was introduced to the idea of becoming a doula, which I felt like an extension of what I was already doing and fell in love. There was something missing in the classroom for me. I have always been highly motivated by social justice and fighting for change!
The infant mortality rate gap between black and white women in the county and the treatment and trauma experienced by black women in health care was pulling me in. I found my desire to create safe spaces for women to grow and thrive calling me again. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am to have been given this honor I have had working with women and families this past year. It has been an absolute gift! To support Birthing bodies through pregnancy, plan the ideal birth and help them feel safe and powerful while giving birth is overwhelming and brings me such joy! I absolutely love this new role I have taken on and am in the process of doing surveys and learning how to support fathers and parents reconnecting after birth! I see this as the start of a beautiful journey to help build up and support the family unit as a whole! From mother to classroom guide to family support I love it all!
I honestly feel like God has blessed me with passions that create so many beautiful moments in my life and I am grateful to just experience all of this, so in love with my work and grateful for the opportunities this grant has given me to support my training!
What are some of your practices of resilience? Who did you learn this from? and How are these helpful in times of challenge?
Well, my parents always taught me life was hard but no matter how hard it knocks you down you have to keep moving. This allowed me to never fall into self-pity or defeat. I just kept moving forward no matter how slow or fast it felt. Now at this stage in my life I am reflecting on growth and learning to take care of myself and thrive! I practice this through prayer, art, communication with my team of safe people, and in doing activities that bring my daughter joy!
When you think of your life journey unfolding, Who do you see yourself becoming?
I am so excited for this step and the next. I am interested in photography and taking more marriage and family counseling classes so i can just continue to grow in ways to support family empowerment and growth! I love where I am and this stage of it and also have plans to move forward and grow as a doula.
What is your vision for Madison?
To create spaces where resources and support is available for all who need it, a space that is welcoming and inclusive. I have and plan to continue to support women of color and offer a sliding scale so that all who want it can have access to the support I have to offer.
How do you see you can contribute to creating the city you visualize?
I can start by educating myself and preparing myself so be a part of that support. I have a master’s in education specializing in birth to three, with the help of this program I will obtain my training as a birth and postpartum doula, and I will have a very strong foundation for supporting families who are pregnant and have young children!
Please share about your Amplify Madison journey – What did your team worked on and how was your experience collaborating with each other? What did you personally learn and how is impacting who you are becoming?
I guess it has been a bit disappointing because we didn’t work much as a team, but I just took my focus and passions and really enjoyed the process and practicing Doula work. I connected with other women of color who were on the same page as me and we really supported each other through the beginning stages with asking questions, talking about our experiences and bouncing questions off of each other to figure out things like boundaries and goals around the work.
What are you currently offering in the community and how can people connect with you and your work?
You can follow Bryanna’s work in Facebook at Brys Birth & Postpartum Doula Support.
For more information, you can also email her at: Bryannachancellor23@gmail.com
Madison Community Foundation announces $75k grant.
Amplify Madison, will build skills, voice, and visibility for women in the nonprofit community, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for women of color.