Briana Simmons
Founder & Creative Director
I'm a 28-year-old Black, queer woman with sights on making an impact before parting from this physical world and living my best life while I'm at it. I was born in the heart of the country, Kansas City, MO, to Calvin Brian Simmons and the late Kimberly Yvette Simmons.
I'm forever grateful to my parents for never shutting down my curious mind. Now, as a radical visionary, I imagine the world without limitations to our greatest manifestation of personal and collective freedom. I'm very much aligned with a perpetual experience of reclamation beginning at birth throughout our life cycle and until our demise.
As the founder and creative director of Unearthing Tradition, I’m inspired to do this work because I believe my community is deserving of dignified cycles between life and death. Within my practice, I honor the whole person while supporting their tribe. I want birth to be an empowering experience for the birthing person and a gentle introduction to the physical world for the tiny human. I want death to be a sweet farewell for the dying and their loved ones.
In addition to my role as a doula, I also work as the Black Maternal Health, Healing, & Joy Coordinator for Soul 2 Soul Sisters, which allows me to create programming centering the lives and experiences of all Black women.
Based in Denver, CO, I find joy in exploring unique places, trying new recipes, doing something artsy, or resting with a good read!
I'm forever grateful to my parents for never shutting down my curious mind. Now, as a radical visionary, I imagine the world without limitations to our greatest manifestation of personal and collective freedom. I'm very much aligned with a perpetual experience of reclamation beginning at birth throughout our life cycle and until our demise.
As the founder and creative director of Unearthing Tradition, I’m inspired to do this work because I believe my community is deserving of dignified cycles between life and death. Within my practice, I honor the whole person while supporting their tribe. I want birth to be an empowering experience for the birthing person and a gentle introduction to the physical world for the tiny human. I want death to be a sweet farewell for the dying and their loved ones.
In addition to my role as a doula, I also work as the Black Maternal Health, Healing, & Joy Coordinator for Soul 2 Soul Sisters, which allows me to create programming centering the lives and experiences of all Black women.
Based in Denver, CO, I find joy in exploring unique places, trying new recipes, doing something artsy, or resting with a good read!
Expertise, Training, and Continuing Education
- B.S. Journalism
- Missouri State University
- Jan. 2012 - May 2015
- Missouri State University
- M.A. International Human Rights
- University of Denver
- Sept. 2015 - June 2017
- University of Denver
- Full Circle Doula Training
- International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC)
- Feb. 2016 - Feb. 2018
- International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC)
- Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist
- Women's Choice Perinatal Services
- 2019- 2020
- Women's Choice Perinatal Services
- Abortion Doula Training
- Colorado Doula Project
- Oct. 2019
- Colorado Doula Project
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate
- PAIL
- April 2019 - July 2020
- PAIL
- Lactation Educator
- CAPPA
- June 2020 - Dec. 2022
- CAPPA
- End of Life Planner and Death Doula Training
- Going with Grace
- June 2020 - Sept. 2020
- Going with Grace