Media & Press

Cheyenne Varner is a sought-after thought leader, health equity advocate, and creative entrepreneur whose work at the intersection of childbirth education and equity has gained national and international recognition. Below, you'll find highlights of her press features, accomplishments, and collaborations.

In July 2022, I welcomed my daughter, Naella, into the world. My experience included a planned birth center experience that became a hospital transfer — and then a planned unmedicated labor that evolved to include an epidural, and ultimately an abdominal (cesarean) birth. For me, this experience emphasized the importance of education and access to compassionate, non-judgmental support. And it also made me understand even more how many different factors can affect the plans, preferences, and choices we make during birth.

Your experience will not be mine — it will be uniquely yours. But I believe my experience can help me serve you even better. My focus will always revolve around you, honoring your expressed and evolving needs. As your dedicated doula, I'm here to empower and support you in making informed decisions, creating a nurturing and welcome space where you can navigate your path with confidence and grace.

Collaborations & RecognitionPressPodcastsContact for Media Inquiries

Notable Collaborations & Recognition

CDC Museum Exhibit
Featured in the Health is a Human Right: Achieving Health Equity exhibition, in collaboration with Dr. Karen A Scott, MD, MPH, FACOG for illustrating her SACKRED framework, a transformative model for perinatal care.
2024-2025

The Human Story: An Introduction to Anthropology
Featured in collaboration with Dr. Dána-Ain Davis for illustrating her dimensions of Obstetric Racism.
2024

Official Perinatal Safe Spot
Recognized by the National Perinatal Task Force for advancing equitable and culturally inclusive care.
2023

Are You Listening? The Giving Voice to Mothers Study
Illustrated content from the "Are You Listening? Giving Voice to Mothers Study" by The Birth Place Lab, which explored the experiences of maternity care among diverse populations in the United States, highlighting significant disparities in respectful, equitable, and person-centered care, especially for marginalized groups.
2022

In July 2022, I welcomed my daughter, Naella, into the world. My experience included a planned birth center experience that became a hospital transfer — and then a planned unmedicated labor that evolved to include an epidural, and ultimately an abdominal (cesarean) birth. For me, this experience emphasized the importance of education and access to compassionate, non-judgmental support. And it also made me understand even more how many different factors can affect the plans, preferences, and choices we make during birth.

Your experience will not be mine — it will be uniquely yours. But I believe my experience can help me serve you even better. My focus will always revolve around you, honoring your expressed and evolving needs. As your dedicated doula, I'm here to empower and support you in making informed decisions, creating a nurturing and welcome space where you can navigate your path with confidence and grace.

Press

‘This is what we need’
University of Richmond Alumni Magazine
July 2024

Summer of Stories: Cheyenne Varner
Gabrielle Gweneth
July 2024

Meet the Black Doula Educating Richmond’s Moms-to-Be
Next City
April 2024

Black History Month – Birth Artist Cheyenne Varner
CAPPA
February 2024

A Birth Story
Anthropology News
August 2021

Meet the Artist Behind Babylist’s New Pregnancy Ultrasound Illustrations
Babylist, Inc, interviewed
April 2021

Birthing a Magazine
Style Weekly
July 2019

The Power of the Front Porch
Richmond Grid
April 2019

Birthing While Black: African-American women face disproportionate risks during pregnancy
Virginia Mercury, interviewed
March 2019

Stop Telling Me Black Women Die During Childbirth And Start Showing Me How We Can Thrive
Blavity, written by me
March 2019

Cheyenne’s Journey to Help Expecting Parents Access Birth Support
Bonfire
March 2019

All About Doula-ing
The Homesteadista, interviewed
May 2018

Made in Church Hill Exhibition
The Valentine Museum
Fall 2014

In July 2022, I welcomed my daughter, Naella, into the world. My experience included a planned birth center experience that became a hospital transfer — and then a planned unmedicated labor that evolved to include an epidural, and ultimately an abdominal (cesarean) birth. For me, this experience emphasized the importance of education and access to compassionate, non-judgmental support. And it also made me understand even more how many different factors can affect the plans, preferences, and choices we make during birth.

Your experience will not be mine — it will be uniquely yours. But I believe my experience can help me serve you even better. My focus will always revolve around you, honoring your expressed and evolving needs. As your dedicated doula, I'm here to empower and support you in making informed decisions, creating a nurturing and welcome space where you can navigate your path with confidence and grace.

Podcasts

Interview with Cheyenne Varner
The Birth in Focus Podcast
January 2025

Doula Business Resources From The Educated Birth
Doula Tips and Tits with Kaely Harrod
November 2024

EBB 270 – Intersectionality and Representation in Birth Work
Evidence Based Birth Podcast
June 2023

Unbiased & Representative Birth Education
Your BIRTH Partners
April 2021

Episode 132 | Representation and Inclusivity in Birth Work with Cheyenne Varner
Birth Kweens
October 2020

Episode 7 | RVA's Womxn in Media
Race Capitol
May 2019

Episode 2 | Cheyenne Varner
The Dream Differed Podcast
November 2018

Cheyenne Varner: Everyday Birth Magazine
Inspire Indeed
June 2018

Episode 9 | The Educated Birth
Birth Stories in Color
April 2018

Episode 112 | Reproductive Rights
toRaise Questions
July 2017

In July 2022, I welcomed my daughter, Naella, into the world. My experience included a planned birth center experience that became a hospital transfer — and then a planned unmedicated labor that evolved to include an epidural, and ultimately an abdominal (cesarean) birth. For me, this experience emphasized the importance of education and access to compassionate, non-judgmental support. And it also made me understand even more how many different factors can affect the plans, preferences, and choices we make during birth.

Your experience will not be mine — it will be uniquely yours. But I believe my experience can help me serve you even better. My focus will always revolve around you, honoring your expressed and evolving needs. As your dedicated doula, I'm here to empower and support you in making informed decisions, creating a nurturing and welcome space where you can navigate your path with confidence and grace.