Racha Tahani Lawler Queen (she/her) is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), Licensed Midwife (LM) in California and Virginia. Registered & Certified Zulu Sangoma (South African Traditional Healer Herbalist), fourth generation midwife, farmer, beekeeper and textile artist.
Midwife of over 20-years of supporting over 1,600 homebirth families. Including owning and operating South Los Angeles’ The Community Birth Center from 2011 to 2016 in California and Central Virginia’s Gather Grounded Midwifery and Birth Cottage from 2022 to 2024 always prioritizing Black families and Black midwifery students.
Honored by her birth place hometown City of Los Angeles, and California Senate & Congress for her work as a midwife committed to the Black birthing community. Mama to three brilliant children, born postdates, at home in water. Married to dana washington queen
In 2024 the doors of Central Virginia’s Gather Grounded Midwifery’s birth cottage closed permanently after many challenges and barriers.
Passing the torch to learning midwives Audrey Gentry-Brown & Kandice White, to continue on their traditional midwifery journeys serving the Central Virginia birthing community.
Racha Tahani returned to her second hometown of Oakland / Ohlone territory. Accepting a position with Baywell Health as Program Manager of Black Infant Health.