Jeanine Valrie Logan (she/her/goddess) is a relentless advocate for birth equity, dedicating her career to addressing disparities in Black maternal health. Jeanine is currently spearheading the creation of the Chicago South Side Birth Center, a nonprofit, midwife-led, culturally concordant, and community-focused haven for expectant mothers and birthing people on Chicago's South Side. She is also Chicago Beyond’s current Leader in Residence, where she receives funding and strategic support to successfully launch the Chicago South Side Birth Center.  

 In August 2021, Jeanine played a pivotal role in the passage of Illinois House Bill 738, a significant legislative milestone aiming to expand access to birth centers throughout the City of Chicago. As a Certified Nurse Midwife and lactation specialist with a robust background in public health and reproductive health policy, Jeanine's expertise has been instrumental in shaping policies that prioritize maternal well-being. 

A passionate birth justice activist, Jeanine is a vocal speaker on topics ranging from breastfeeding and birth justice to the pivotal roles of doulas and midwives in the Black community. Co-editor of the book "Free to Breastfeed: Voices of Black Mothers," she contributes to the narrative of empowerment and choice for Black mothers. 

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jeanine is a wife and mother of three remarkable Empresses, all born out-of-hospital, reflecting her commitment to the principles she advocates. In her spare time, she channels her creativity into art, crafts herbal medicines, forages plants, and passionately engages in #herbalist pursuits. Jeanine Valrie Logan embodies the spirit of change, working collectively with birth workers of color and allies to dismantle birth inequity and bring about transformative progress in maternal healthcare.