Meet Leah Hairston

Vision, Expertise, Heart

Founder and lead doula, Leah is a seasoned birth professional on a mission to revolutionize maternal care through education, empowerment, and advocacy.

As an intuition-based doula and perinatal social worker, Leah blends ancestral wisdom, practical training, and lived experience to remind women of their inherent power — especially when navigating complex reproductive journeys. Her approach is rooted in radical empathy, cultural competence, and relationship-centered care.

Leah’s impact extends beyond the birthing room. As a mentor, educator, and speaker, she brings clarity, passion, and deep presence to every interaction. Her work is shaped by the belief that healing begins with connection, and she meticulously curates personalized, evidence-informed experiences for each client she serves.

She is also the author of a doula training & mentorship curriculum rooted in her frontline experience — one that reflects a track record of 100% survival among the clients she has served since 2016.

A Black woman smiling with hands on hips standing on a city street with colorful buildings and hanging lights overhead.

Under her leadership, Sweet Bee Services has become one of the only Black woman-led, Medicaid-approved doula agencies in the state of Maryland — a distinction that underscores both her pioneering vision and commitment to access and equity.

A Black woman with braided hair smiling at the camera, sitting at a table with a coffee mug in a cozy home or office setting, with framed quotes on the wall behind her.

Leah’s leadership has earned national recognition — most recently from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, the Johns Hopkins Social Innovation Lab, and the National Black Child Development Institute.

A proud graduate of Roland Park Country School, Howard University, and Columbia University, Leah is a lifelong learner. Her training spans renowned institutions including Ancient Song Doula Services, Lactation Education Resources, Steamy Chick, Brilliant Birth Academy, and Grandma’s Hands Herbal School. She is also a founding member, instructor, and mentor with the National Black Doula Association.

A Black woman with braided hair, wearing a white shirt, smiling and sitting on a wicker chair with a cushion, holding a tan and white dog with a black and orange collar.

Her heart lives at the intersection of healing, reproductive wholeness, and social justice. That’s why she and her team at Sweet Bee Services are on a mission to end maternal mortality and build a future where every birth is met with dignity, safety, and joy.

When she’s not supporting families or leading her team, Leah enjoys cooking new recipes while listening to audiobooks, walking her beloved dog T’Challa, and savoring time with her village.

Accreditations & Affiliations

Logo with text 'Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class' in blue with a pink line underneath.
Logo of the National Black Doulas Association with purple acronym 'NBDA', black text 'National Black Doulas Association' and 'Certified Instructor' below, surrounded by a gray leafy circular border.
Badge with a handshake icon, orange banner with 'Official Educator,' teal background with '[m]otherboard birth' text.
Brilliant Birth Academy Logo