My name is Chay, pronounced like Shea in Shea butter. I’m born and raised in Oakland and I am of Mexican and Filipino ancestry.  

I have been interested in reproductive health ever since I was a teenager. This is when I noticed how misinformation affected my and my peers’ ability to make healthy decisions, especially as a queer youth. I was enraged to learn about the history of forced sterilization and obstetric violence, as well as the ongoing disproportionate negative health outcomes for Black women and infants.  I knew that my purpose was related to advancing reproductive justice but I wasn't quite sure what role I wanted to play. 

In 2020 I had my first son and it became clear that my purpose was to become a doula. I started my training as a full spectrum doula with Sumiyyah Franklin and attended my first birth in 2022. Since then I have learned a lot about Mexican traditional medicine and herbs to support various reproductive journeys.