Who We Are

Black Birth Equity Now is powered by a dedicated team of advocates and visionaries.

Each of us brings a unique blend of lived experience, professional expertise, and deep community roots. Together, we move with intention, grounded in love and guided by a shared vision of birth equity and collective care.

  • Lakisa Muhammad is a Certified Professional Midwife, Community Organizer, and Maternal Health Consultant who has championed health equity and birth justice for over 20 years. From boardrooms to community centers, Lakisa advocates for a world free of racial disparities in healthcare. Her commitment is evident through her service on the Maternal Mortality Review Committee for the State of Arizona and the Arizona Maternal Health Policy Coalition.

    In addition to this work, Lakisa enjoys organizing family-centered health events and conducting community-based participatory research. Lakisa is a devoted mother of 3 and also loves her 2 fur babies fiercely. When she is not serving the community, she may be found binge-watching reality TV or traveling the world.

Chief Executive Officer

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  • Erica is a Health Educator and Board Certified Lactation Consultant with over 15 years of experience in public health. With a strong background in nutrition and maternal and child health, she is dedicated to ensuring families have access to the care and resources they need to thrive. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with federal programs, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to promote health equity and drive meaningful, community-centered change.

    Erica has a Master of Public Health degree, a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotion, and a Certificate in Community Nutrition. She is an Arizona native and is married with two sons.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

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  • Dr. Kierra Otis is passionate about learning and building relationships in service to Black and other marginalized communities. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and interdisciplinary studies from the University of Missouri and a PhD in gender studies from Arizona State University. When they're not working, Kierra cuddles with their dog and watches science fiction and fantasy.

Director of Research & Evaluation

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Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and governance while remaining rooted in the voices and needs of the communities we serve. They help guide our mission to advance Black birth equity.

  • Tomeka Scott has over 30 years of professional experience in healthcare administration and patient advocacy, where she has worked to support patients and improve access to services within complex healthcare systems. She currently serves as a Project Coordinator, applying her organizational and leadership skills to manage projects and streamline operations.

    Tomeka is also an entrepreneur and the co-founder of Simple Docs, LLC, a company focused on legal and business operations management. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Government with an emphasis in Law, with plans to focus on Civil Rights Advocacy, Estate planning, and Family Law. Tomeka is passionate about advocacy, community empowerment, and helping individuals navigate legal and administrative systems with confidence and clarity. 

Board Chair

  • Terrance Moore is a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practitioner and Louisiana native with a passion for building culture and community. He currently leads DEI efforts at The Athletic; with preceding experience at Adobe, The Atlantic, and the NFL. His experience is highlighted by years of leadership with the D.C. Unity and Justice Fellowship, involvement in justice work through the Christian Community Development Association, dozens of panels, events and dialogues around racial justice. Terrance obtained his undergraduate degree at Harvard University with a concentration in African American Studies, and a DEI certification from Cornell University. Terrance currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Stephanie, 5 year old TJ and 2 year old twins, Mekhi & Mila.

Vice Chair

  • Dr. Derrell Blackburn, DC, MBA is a chiropractor, educator, and entrepreneur with over a decade of clinical and leadership experience. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree and MBA from Parker University and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Physical Diagnosis, where he teaches clinical assessment and diagnostic excellence. Dr. Blackburn is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Neuroscience, further expanding his expertise in evidence-based care.

    Dr. Blackburn’s work is deeply rooted in promoting health equity, empowering communities, and supporting the development of healthy families through proactive, preventative, and holistic care. His mission is to bridge the gap between education, access, and action, helping individuals and communities experience lasting health.

Secretary

  • Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Willie Payton Jr is the Chief Operating Officer at Premier OB/GYN in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Payton is a graduate of Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Organizational Communications and his Master’s in Health Services Administration (MHSA).

    Mr. Payton collaborates daily with the outpatient practices caring Medical Assistants, compassionate Midwives and quality focused Physicians to lead the administrative team in executing the integrated goals and priorities for the practice. Founded in 2013, Premier OBGYN and their Premier Wellness Institute (PWI) encompasses a team of over 30 who manage Gynecology, Obstetric services and Clinical Education for over 4,000 women in the Valley.

    Prior to this role, Mr. Payton served as Chief Operating Officer for both Tenet and Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) facilities in Arizona and Virginia after more than a decade of service with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Payton’s passion is rooted in providing high quality health services and access to the community in which he serves.

Treasurer