ShLanda Burton B.S., NDTR, CHW, BDT/AdvCD(DONA)

ShLanda Burton, B.S., NDTR, CHW, AdvCD(DONA), is a nationally recognized public health leader, birth worker, and community advocate with more than two decades of experience advancing maternal and family health equity. She serves as the Executive Director and Founder of the National Birth Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating birth and health disparities through food justice, reproductive healing, and community-rooted care. Under her leadership, the organization integrates birth and postpartum doulas, nutrition professionals, and community health workers into sustainable, culturally responsive models that uplift families across urban, rural, and historically marginalized communities.

Ms. Burton is also the Executive Director of the BLOOM Documentary Film, an impactful project that centers lived experiences, systemic challenges, and community-driven solutions related to maternal health, birth justice, and healing. Through storytelling and education, BLOOM amplifies the voices of families and practitioners working at the intersection of birth, nutrition, and social justice.

In addition, ShLanda Burton is an ACTT Facilitator and a Birth Doula Trainer, committed to developing the next generation of birth workers and paraprofessionals. She provides training, mentorship, and continuing education pathways for individuals pursuing careers in birth support, nutrition, and community health, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, ethical practice, and collective care. A registered Nutrition and Dietetic Technician with her advanced doula certification, Ms. Burton bridges clinical research knowledge with grassroots advocacy to ensure families receive holistic, trauma-informed, and dignified support. Her work reflects a deep commitment to systems change, workforce development, and the belief that thriving families are foundational to healthy communities.

Session

Birth and Postpartum Doulas: Teaching Your Clients How To ACTT!

ACTT Workshops are community-centered learning experiences offered nationwide, both virtually and in person, designed to strengthen advocacy, communication, and confidence in medical settings. These workshops welcome community members, birth workers, doulas, educators, and supporters who are committed to amplifying the voices of Black and Brown birthing people and improving pregnancy and birth experiences. Through practical tools and collective learning, ACTT helps participants overcome barriers to effective communication, reduce medical harm, and prevent obstetric violence. Over 90 percent of participants report increased confidence in asserting their rights, making ACTT both a self-affirming and potentially lifesaving experience.

Healthcare safety and quality experts emphasize that better outcomes are achieved when patients are informed and active participants in their own care. Yet, for many Black and Brown birthing families, navigating maternity care systems that are often paternalistic, biased, and overstretched can be overwhelming—especially during moments of stress, anxiety, or medical vulnerability. ACTT was created to address this critical gap.