Chanel Stryker

Chanel is an experienced Full-Spectrum, Community-Based, Certified Holistic Perinatal Support Professional and a respected voice in Black Birth and Reproductive Justice. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Georgia Community Doula Coalition (GCDC), a statewide organization working to expand access to culturally affirming, community-based perinatal care.

In 2022, Chanel led the successful implementation of the Georgia Medicaid Doula Pilot and has since contributed to major efforts to strengthen the doula workforce, advance policy advocacy, and expand Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement for doulas. Through her leadership at the Georgia Community Doula Coalition (GCDC), she’s helping build a future where doulas are respected, fairly compensated, and seen as essential partners in maternal health. Her work connects community-based care with broader healthcare systems—focusing on collaboration, funding, and long-term sustainability.

Alongside her work with GCDC, Chanel is also the Co-Founder of The Perinatal Consulting Girlz, where she mentors doulas and supports new and growing programs with strategic planning, training, and fundraising. Her advocacy has been featured by outlets including CBS, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She speaks powerfully on topics such as birth justice, maternal mental health, and doula integration—helping to bridge the gap between lived experience, grassroots action, and policy change.

At the heart of Chanel’s work is “Joie” (joy)—a guiding principle of joy that fuels her vision. Through every initiative, she brings an infectious optimism and unwavering commitment to equity, resilience, and liberation. Her mission is not only to improve outcomes, but to ensure that birth is honored as a sacred, supported, and empowering experience for every family.