Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Buckhall- Iwuji.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Beni Births LLC, owned by Angela Buckhall, is a pioneering business in Cole County, dedicated to providing comprehensive birth doula and midwifery services. Angela is a DONA certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator offering breastfeeding and maternal health education from prenatal to postpartum care. Beni Births, LLC is a National Training site for American Heart Association, where Angela not only trains community families and professionals in CPR & First Aid but also trains professionals to become AHA certified instructors. As a resident Midwife, Angela is breaking new ground as the first African American woman in Cole County to offer these vital services as a free-standing sole proprietary business.
Certified Birth Doula 2015
Certified Childbirth Educator 2016
Freestanding building 2019
Resident Midwife 2020 ( Amish and Mennonite Community)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all, Working in a small conservative community I have had to do more education about what a Doula is and the difference between Doula and Midwife. When I started in 2015, health insurance companies were not covering Doula services, I gave my services for free or at a discount rate. In 2022 I was part of the Healthy Blue Pilot program for Doula services for the Medicaid program in Missouri.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I became a CPR instructor in 2019 and transitioned to National Training Site in 2021. In December 2025, I will be traveling to Nigeria to teach CPR and community outreach for 3 months.
I am an Evidence Based Birth instructor and teach Birth Justice Class in Virtuous Doula Training Academy. I have a partnership with the Capital City Diaper Bank, and provide diapers and wipes for free to those in need. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Capital City Diaper Bank. I have partnerships with many nonprofit in my area providing baby clothing and essential at not cost. I am a health care provider for Mo HealthNet ( Home State Health, United Healthcare and Health Blue of Missouri) where I provide prenatal, labor and postpartum Doula services for mothers for free.
I am so proud and honored to serve my community. It’s not always about the money.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
During COVID, I was left with my current office because my partner in business sharing this office, went out of business, giving me weeks to secure the entire office space for my business. After prayer, I stepped out on faith and slowly transformed my current location to my own unique style of business. No business loans, just help from my clients painting and cleaning and 1000% support from my Dad. I continued to serve the community teaching CPR every week for 14 months straight.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://BeniBirths.com
- Facebook: Beni Births, LLC
