Meet our team

Abide is operated by women of color, for women of color. This  team blends practicality and vision with empathy and passion to create change in maternal healthcare.

Cessilye R. Smith

Cessilye R. Smith

Founder & CEO
Melissa Moreira

Melissa Moreira

Director of Administration
Krystle Thomas, M.Ed, CD, CCE, CCHW — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Krystle Thomas, M.Ed, CD, CCE, CCHW — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Director of Client Resources and Education
Phoebe Walker, BSW, MA

Phoebe Walker, BSW, MA

Director of Data and Evaluation
Kennasha Jones, LM, CPM — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Kennasha Jones, LM, CPM — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Director of Client Services and Lead Midwife
Shanta Thomas, MBA

Shanta Thomas, MBA

Director of Finance
Tamika Sanders, CHW

Tamika Sanders, CHW

Office Manager and Bilingual Parent Educator
Janikka White — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Janikka White — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Medical Assistant
Althea C. Hurd, B.A., Dip CBEd — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Althea C. Hurd, B.A., Dip CBEd — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Client Resource Specialist & Childbirth Educator
LaQuita Brazile, BSN, RN — Certified JJ Way® Provider

LaQuita Brazile, BSN, RN — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Licensed Midwife
Asia Jones, LM, CPM

Asia Jones, LM, CPM

Licensed Midwife
Kelli Bankes, LM — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Kelli Bankes, LM — Certified JJ Way® Provider

Auxiliary Midwife
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