ABOUT
On October 9, 2010 after months of medical procedures, our founder, Dr. Brandynicole Brooks, was informed she was pregnant with a due date of June 19, 2011. Unfortunately, just 19 days later Dr. Brooks experienced the loss of her pregnancy. As part of her healing journey, Dr. Brooks named her angel baby Junebug and dedicated time and space to honoring Junebug's memory every year on October 15th (Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day) and October 28th (the day Junebug died).
In her efforts to heal and find support, Dr. Brooks discovered a gap in resources available to Black women who had experienced pregnancy and infant loss. While, support is not about race, the experience of pregnancy and infant loss can be lonely and oftentimes parents and families yearn to feel less alone by seeing others who look like them reaching out for and obtaining support. After much training, preparation, and experiencing her own healing journey, Dr. Brooks volunteered time with various organizations like My Miscarriage Matters, Postpartum Support International, and DONA International. She founded Sleep Sweet Junebug, Inc. in November 2022 to honor the memory of Junebug by taking what she has learned as a full spectrum doula and mental health therapist and applying it to supporting others who are going through this healing journey.
We envision a future in which all parents and families in DC and Northern Virginia—especially those who have been historically harmed by structural racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism—are empowered and supported throughout their healing journey after pregnancy and infant loss. Together, we strive for a more equitable, inclusive, and compassionate perinatal care system that actively breaks down structural barriers for everyone.
We are dedicated to addressing historical harm by offering free, inclusive perinatal mental health and doula services to parents and families impacted by pregnancy or infant loss. Our support focuses on uplifting Black and Brown communities, female, gender non-conforming individuals, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people. We educate perinatal professionals and organizations to advance equity and compassionate care for all.
