Markeda Cummings, Founder

Excited to become a first time mother, Markeda hoping to escape the racial disparities through the traditional hospital route chose to have her son Malik at Origins Birthing center. Markeda and Malik were both healthy throughout the pregnancy but faced complications during labor. Sadly, these complications were not addressed during labor. The midwives at Origins did not transfer the laboring mother to the hospital, leaving Malik to suffer without oxygen and causing Malik to born with no brain activity. Malik was in the NICU for 6 days leaving Markeda and Demetry to make the hardest decision of their life and remove all life support.

After losing her son to this medical negligence, Markeda decided to take action to ensure justice is served for Malik and help prevent other mothers from experiencing such a horrific and traumatic event.

Kristen Cook, Founder

Kristen is a mom and a survivor of birth trauma. After experiencing a myriad of negligence, incompetence, and unlawful practice from non-nurse midwives, Kristen made it her mission to protect women and families from experiencing the same trauma by advocating for safe practices and provider accountability. She believes that every woman should have access to informed care, equality, and competency regardless of where she births.

Amanda Callicutt, Founder

Amanda became a mother in 2023 to a beautiful and happy baby boy but not without trials and tribulations. After an exhausting and horrifying labor experience at Origin's Birth Center that ended in the hospital with severe dehydration, chorioamnionitis and sepsis, she swore that she would become the voice for the mother's that felt like they had failed and couldn't or wouldn't speak up for themselves. All mother's deserve to feel safe in their birth space and should be able to trust that their care provider is experienced, competent and honest.