Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Gordon.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From the time I was five years old, I was absolutely captivated by a show on TLC called A Baby Story. I remember sitting wide-eyed, watching birth unfold on screen and feeling something deep in my spirit say, “That’s where I belong.” Not long after, another show, Bringing Home Baby, sealed the deal — I knew my purpose lived somewhere between those two worlds: the sacredness of birth and the tenderness of postpartum life.
As I grew up, I sought out every opportunity to be in that space — volunteering, shadowing, learning, doing whatever I could to support women through pregnancy and early motherhood. I initially pursued medicine and set my sights on becoming an OB-GYN. But the realities of systemic racism and lack of support in my STEM program forced me to pivot. I completed my degree in psychology, still holding tight to that original calling.
Later, I entered nursing school to stay close to the world of obstetrics and gynecology. At that time, I was also a mother, determined to create a stable and meaningful life for myself and my daughter. When I was assaulted during that program, everything seemed to collapse at once — the trauma, the PTSD, and the realization that my plan B was no longer an option. It felt like my world had come crashing down. All I wanted was to heal, to take care of my daughter, and somehow still remain connected to the space where my passion had always lived: maternal care.
Then the world shut down for COVID, and in that stillness, I started seeing the word “doula” everywhere — in ads, posts, and conversations. It felt like the universe was calling me home. I finally answered the call, trained, and became a doula. Instantly, everything clicked. Supporting women and families through birth and postpartum care felt like alignment, not just a career.
Still, I wanted to make an even bigger impact — to influence systems, not just individual births. So I enrolled in midwifery school for a year, but financial and logistical challenges forced me to pause that path.
Now, I’m pursuing my Master of Arts in Maternal and Child Health Systems and building MATRI, a digital health platform designed for Black and Brown birthing people. My journey has been anything but linear, but every twist has deepened my commitment to reimagining how we care for mothers — mind, body, and system.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — but I’ve learned that purpose rarely follows a smooth path. My journey has been layered with both personal and systemic challenges.
There were times I questioned everything — after surviving assault, battling PTSD, juggling motherhood, and carrying the pressure of creating stability for my daughter while still chasing a calling that wouldn’t let me go. There were semesters I couldn’t afford to finish, moments when the doors I prayed for stayed closed, and seasons where grief, exhaustion, and disappointment all met at the same intersection.
But every detour taught me something vital. The trauma taught me empathy. Motherhood taught me resilience. And the closed doors? They taught me how to build my own.
As a Black woman navigating predominantly white institutions, I’ve also faced racism, tokenism, and moments of isolation that made me question whether my presence was welcome in spaces of medicine and academia. But those experiences only fueled my determination to create new spaces — spaces where women who look like me don’t just belong, we lead.
So, no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been sacred — a path that’s shaped me into the woman, mother, and advocate I was meant to become.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wholistically Divine, LLC?
I’m the founder of Wholistically Divine, a community-based birth and postpartum doula practice, and MATRI, a maternal health technology company rooted in equity, innovation, and culturally-aligned care. Both ventures were born from the same mission — to protect, uplift, and restore the sacredness of the birthing journey, especially for Black and Brown mothers.
Wholistically Divine specializes in birth and postpartum doula care, childbirth education, and holistic postpartum support. My approach blends evidence-based methods with culturally-aligned wisdom — honoring the traditions, rituals, and strengths that have carried our communities for generations. We believe our culture itself is a form of medicine, and every birth deserves to be met with that kind of reverence.
What also sets Wholistically Divine apart is that it’s in contract with all six of Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) — a testament to how deeply our equity lens is woven into our foundation. This partnership allows us to serve families who are often overlooked or under-resourced, ensuring that culturally grounded doula care is not a privilege, but a right.
MATRI, my second venture, brings that same foundation into the digital world. It’s a maternal health platform designed to reduce disparities by connecting doulas, midwives, and birthing people through real-time alerts, self-disclosure tools, and biometric monitoring. It’s technology that doesn’t replace our culture — it reflects and amplifies it.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge heart work with innovation — to design solutions that keep culture at the center while expanding access, efficiency, and trust in care systems. I’m proud that both brands represent a modern renaissance of maternal care — rooted in heritage, powered by technology, and guided by community.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that this work isn’t just my business — it’s my calling. Every client, every app feature, every class I teach is a continuation of the cultural legacy that has always sustained us.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
One of the things I love most about living in Columbus is that it’s the state capital — which means I’m close to the heart of change. Being near the Statehouse gives me the opportunity to advocate for maternal, perinatal, and infant health on a policy level. I don’t have to just talk about solutions; I can literally show up and help shape them.
I also love that this city raised me. Being born and raised in Columbus means every street and neighborhood carries a memory. It’s powerful to serve the same community that shaped my roots and now supports my mission.
As for what I like least, I’ll admit I’m a big foodie, so I’d love to see more diverse and culturally rich food options around the city. Columbus has so much talent and creativity — I’d love for our restaurant scene to reflect that same diversity.
Professionally, one area that still needs improvement is our Medicaid reimbursement for doulas. While I’m grateful that Ohio has opened the door for coverage and contracts with all six Managed Care Organizations, our reimbursement rate remains significantly lower than many other states. That disparity limits the sustainability of this work and undervalues the impact doulas make on maternal health outcomes. There’s still a real opportunity for growth there.
And finally, I think we can continue to strengthen the relationship between doulas, midwives, and hospitals. Everyone ultimately wants the same outcome — healthy moms and healthy babies — and Columbus has the potential to become a model city for collaboration and respect across all levels of maternal care.
Pricing:
- $800 Virtual Doula Services
- $1200 Wholistic Birth Doula Package
- $1400 Deluxe Birth Doula Package
- $1100 Postpartum Doula I Package
- $1300 Postpartum Doula II Package
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wholisticallydivine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholisticallydivine?igsh=ZzUxeTd1MTQ1M2E5&utm_source=qr
