Our Story:
Flora’s Village was born from both a personal awakening and a collective need.
In 2021, I—Sunumi Brown— co-founded what was then called Village of Mothers, after my own experience of pregnancy revealed the stark disparities in maternal health care. Despite having the support of a midwife and doula, I experienced the emotional toll of baby blues and witnessed firsthand how many mothers, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds, were navigating birth and postpartum with little to no support.
Thanks to a $12,000 grant from The Victoria Project, I was able to access the care I needed—and that moment changed my life. I knew I wanted to continue championing this work and create a space where others could receive the kind of advocacy and education that had made all the difference for me.
With roots in community rehabilitation and ancestral wisdom, Village of Mothers quickly grew into a safe haven for maternal health education, grief support, and holistic care.
My background—as an elementary school teacher with Caribbean, Native American, and Sicilian ancestry, and a certified full-spectrum doula, trauma-informed counselor, and plant medicine guide—allowed me to bridge worlds and build offerings rooted in both tradition and transformation.
By 2022, we publicly launched. And by 2024, we reemerged as Flora’s Village—a name inspired by flora and fauna, an ode to Mother Nature herself. The rebrand reflected our natural evolution: from centering solely on mothers to supporting entire families, caregivers, and communities navigating life’s biggest thresholds.
With a diverse board, a wide-reaching network of collaborators, and a deep well of lived and professional experience, Flora’s Village now stands as a beacon of community-based healing. We integrate ceremony, education, ancestral care, and advocacy to help people root deeply, bloom wildly, and heal collectively.
Empowered Families Collective Care
2024, was a pivotal year for Flora’s Village as we expanded our reach and deepened our impact. From launching The Memory Orchards to honor lives lost in the maternal health crisis to providing permaculture and gardening classes for youth, we touched over 300 families this year.
In 2023, Flora’s Village deepened its commitment to empowering women, families, and communities through impactful events, healing workshops, and strategic partnerships. The highlight of the year was our crowdfunding campaign; Flower Festival, which brought together over 150 community members, 15 vendors, 16 panelists, 12 artists, and 6 corporate sponsors, raising $10,000 to support holistic education initiatives.
2022 was a transformative year for Flora’s Village, marked by impactful community engagement, wellness education, and strategic partnerships. By prioritizing food security, women’s wellness, and holistic support, we empowered over 300 individuals through innovative programming and collaborations. Our efforts laid a strong foundation for our mission to create a village that uplifts and sustains women and families for years to come.
