How Aneesha Smith Is Transforming Black Maternal Health with Kindred Connect

When it comes to fighting for the health and safety of Black mothers, few names shine brighter than Aneesha Smith. As a Black maternal health nurse entrepreneur, Smith has turned her 24 years of experience in labor and delivery into groundbreaking solutions that are saving lives and empowering the next generation of birth workers.

The statistics are sobering: Black mothers in the U.S. are over 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers. As a seasoned nurse, Aneesha Smith saw these heartbreaking disparities up close. Motivated by her experiences at the bedside, she decided to do more than just witness the problem, she set out to fix it.

Kindred Connect: Technology for Birth Workers

Smith founded Kindred Connect, an innovative digital platform designed specifically for doulas, lactation consultants, and other birth professionals. This all-in-one ecosystem offers scheduling, client management, invoicing, and marketing support, making it easier for birth workers to run their businesses and provide top-quality care.

By streamlining operations, Kindred Connect frees up time for providers to focus on their clients, not paperwork.

Smith’s entrepreneurial journey doesn’t stop at tech. She’s also the founder of Reflections By Zana, an award-winning brand of healthcare accessories and maternity essentials.

Featured in top outlets like Black Enterprise, Parents, and Time, Reflections By Zana offers everything from practical badge reels to products that make the pregnancy journey smoother for mothers and caregivers.

Understanding that technology is the future of healthcare, Aneesha Smith is now developing AI-powered solutions to support birth professionals. Her goal: blend cutting-edge innovation with compassion, ensuring families get personalized, culturally competent care while providers have the tools to prevent burnout.

Smith also launched Kindred Connections 360, a national online directory connecting families with vetted birth professionals. This community-focused hub supports Black-owned and women-led businesses, amplifying the voices and talents of those often overlooked in the mainstream maternal health system.

Aneesha Smith’s mission as a Black maternal health nurse entrepreneur is personal and powerful. By bridging the gap between bedside care and business, she’s helping save lives, create economic opportunities, and reimagine what’s possible for Black women in healthcare.

Her work inspires not just nurses and doulas, but anyone who believes in equity, innovation, and the power of community.