Together we are designing a more just community.

At JUST Community, Inc we walk alongside neighbors to develop and enact innovative, place-based strategies that tackle the complex obstacles hindering wellness. We focus on holistic health initiatives, educational support, and enhanced access to nutritious food.

We recognize achieving the change we desire in our community requires dedicated effort. Here are the primary projects we are currently leading

Our core initiatives

The Community Bridge Project aims provides pivotal support in the continuum of care for pregnant women and families with young children. This program looks to change outcomes in maternal and infant mortality, access to nutrient dense food, and early childhood development by harnessing the interconnectedness within the community as a driving force for change. Initiated in Indianapolis' Near West and Near Northwest areas, this project introduces comprehensive services and programming for families including an exchange program that provides families with high quality toys and guidance to accelerate early child development and a doula services initiative providing holistic support and advocacy before, during, and after pregnancy. The Community Bridge Program Launch is June 2024!

The community bridge project

our 2024 Report on maternal wellness

This report, Elevating the Standard of Care for Black Mothers & Babies: A Report on Maternal Health, Infant Development, and Doula Care in Marion County --published Nov 13, 2024-- examines the unique challenges faced by Black mothers and infants within the county, with a focus on the roles that doulas and community-based supports play in enhancing maternal and infant health. Through data and personal stories, this report highlights health disparities, systemic barriers, and areas for improvement in prenatal and postnatal care, and it calls for community-wide involvement in elevating care standards. The findings underscore the need for culturally competent and accessible health services to foster better health outcomes for Black families.

Become a Doula or

Mentor a doula

We are pleased to be working alongside the community--particularly Christamore House--to launch our initial programming that supports the model of utilizing doulas for postpartum support, along with our Bridges, a role designed to deeply support the educational development of children ages 0-3 years old. Funding from the Community Investment Fund at 16Tech and the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life have allowed us to enhance workforce development for Black doulas, which includes training and employment opportunities. This fiscal support from our partners aims to build a cycle of education, employment, and empowerment. By focusing on doula services as a career path for Black women, the program aims to create lasting positive change and economic growth in Marion County. If you are interested in becoming a doula or if you are already a doula looking for professional development, to build a community network, or to be compensated to mentor new doulas please connect with us by contacting our Director of Community Advancement, Joslyn Cunningham.

JUST Community is an organization grounded in the belief that community co-creation and collaboration are key to establishing holistic wellness that improves the lives of all of us. Our mission is to support and enhance community resources, programs, and organizations, leveraging evidence-based models and the voices from within the community. By doing this, we aim to forge stronger connections among and between communities, contributing to enhanced wellness in every facet of life.

meet our directors

Nicole Carey, PhD, is the founder and executive director of JUST Community, Inc. With over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Carey has transitioned her expertise into the nonprofit sector to spearhead meaningful change. At the heart of Nicole's work is her expertise in equitable organizational leadership and the art of intersectional coalition building, a skillset honed through her deep commitment to community engagement. Utilizing design thinking and indigenous methodologies, she crafts strategies that draw upon the inherent strengths and wisdom of communities, creating solutions that are as impactful as they are insightful. This expertise is also at play in her role as a member of the Indianapolis Public School Board in District 5, where she is a vocal advocate for educational equity and excellence, striving to ensure that every child receives a quality education.

Dr. Carey's approach to leadership and conflict negotiation is both expert and engaging, making her a fun and effective facilitator. She is committed to holding leaders accountable to their promises, ensuring that the vision for a more inclusive and equitable world is not just a dream but a reality we work towards daily. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Carey is a dedicated partner to Chris and a loving mother to five children. Her personal life is filled with joy, from karaoke nights to embracing silliness with her family, as she believes that joy is the ultimate act of resistance.

dr. nicole carey

Executive Director

Joslyn D. Cunningham is the Director of Community Advancement of JUST Community, Inc. She was born and raised on the far eastside of Indianapolis, where she learned the importance of being a member of her community and has found ways to empower connectivity within the communities that she is engrossed in. Her background in some professional spaces includes but isn’t limited to operations support, organizational process enhancement, program expansion and creating innovation solutions for complex problems.

Joslyn started her journey to align with her divine calling in 2019 when she attended her first birth doula and lactation education training. Since attending her first birth in the summer of 2020, she has aided in close to a dozen births and uses her voice, experiences, and expertise to empower and advocate for birthing persons and their families while also collaborating with fellow doulas, midwives, organizations and community change-makers to initiate equitable shifts within the space. She is a former board member of The Little Timmy Project where she helped create the BIPOC Doula Scholarship that pays for initial doula training and continuing education for black and brown doulas. She has taught various classes relating to reproductive justice and birth work, which includes being a guest lecturer at Butler University to educate our future professionals about racial inequities in healthcare. Outside of community work, Joslyn loves to spend time with her three daughters. She is an avid comic-book reader, moviegoer, music lover and spends her summers attending concerts and exploring museums.

joslyn d. cunningham

Director of Community Advancement

Geoff Fenelus
Stacia Murphy
Rachel Santos
Michelle Williams
Crystal Wilmot

we need your insight!

Click "TAKE SURVEY" below to participate in our brief survey, your voice will be uplifted to create a community support network by ensuring that families have access to the resources they need. Specifically, we are interested in learning more about your experiences and knowledge regarding doulas, as well as your access to early childhood development resources.