Meet Your Breast Friends

 Brandi Gates Burgess, IBCLC

Founder and Executive Director

Hi, I'm Brandi Gates-Burgess, a Bay Area Native (Richmond Baby!), mother of four exclusively breastfed children, and a passionate breastfeeding advocate. In 2005, the breastfeeding world called me to birth work when I began breastfeeding my daughter. The feelings I felt were indescribable, and I wanted everyone to feel this way when feeding their child, so I began to work as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the WIC program. I began my breastfeeding story as a young mother and college student. During this time, I understood firsthand how important support and anticipatory guidance is throughout the breastfeeding journey. I successfully breastfed my daughter for 19 months while working and finishing college. I became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2011 and I have been empowering Bay Area families ever since. I have worked in the lactation field as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Breastfeeding Specialist, and Breastfeeding Coordinator. I am a skilled group facilitator and trainer in breastfeeding education classes, workshops, and support groups.

In 2016 and 2017, The California Breastfeeding Coalition and Black Girls Rock awarded me the Rising Star Award and Black Girls Rock award for Outstanding Community Leadership. I have been called to share my knowledge, research and lived experiences with audiences all the world as a presenter and motivational speaker.

I have a fun, warm, and simple approach when supporting families. I will make space for you to share your questions and concerns, and we will co-create a plan to meet your breastfeeding goals. I love painting, dancing, and studying history in my spare time. I have the heart to serve my community and believe every family should have the proper resources, information, and support to make an informed decision in meeting their infant feeding goals.

Our Breast Friend Group Facilitators

Our Breast Friend group has a wonderful facilitating team that reflects our Bay Area community and advocates for exclusive breastfeeding. All of the Breast Friends team have exclusively breastfed for over 1 year and bring their unique experience to their work. Our facilitator has been trained in group facilitation and has completed the 20 hours of Loving Support Peer Counselor Training. They strive to maintain a safe, supportive, and fun learning space.

  • Renee Alton

  • Maryam Hassan

  • Jade Lunsford

  • Deana Senegal

  • Renee is from Sacramento but currently lives in Oakland. She is a mother of 6 boys! Her love for breastfeeding started with her 3rd son; with the support of Black lactation consultants, she surpassed her 3-month breastfeeding goal and breastfed for 2 years. She is a Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) and trained as a breastfeeding peer counselor. She has been one of the lead Facilitators for the Breast Friends team since 2013. Most recently, she has expanded her birth work skill set and became a doula. She can now use her lactation skill set to support families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In her spare time, she loves to nurture her plants and paint.

    She looks forward to supporting all of her new Breast Friends!

  • Ase` Maryam comes straight from Rahnee Lynn who comes straight from Curtis Lee and Priscilla Jo. She has 2 boys who are magnificent little men. Her biggest and brightest lights. She is rooted in ancestral knowledge, power, creativity, and abundance. Centered in holistic living and healing.

    Connection and community has always been a part of her upbringing. Coming from a Granddad who was 1 of 13 and a business owner. A Great uncle who was one of the first black business owners in Oakland, to a Great auntie who was a black business owner in Berkeley. Straight from Oklahoma to all across the Bay they have cultivated, endured, and created for me so that she could follow, learn, and grow.

    She is a big sister and piggy bank to 2 beautiful younger sisters and a brother who now resides in her ancestors arms. She is a Mommy, Daughter, Niece, Cousin, Auntie, and Friend. It is with honor that she serves her people, her village, and her community.

  • Jade Lunsford is an exclusively breastfeeding mother to 1.

  • Deana is a mother of two and an angel baby. She has breastfed all of her children and she loves the bond breastfeeding provides between mother and child. Breast Friends has helped her through all the rough times she was having while breastfeeding which led her to want to peer counsel others that may be going through rough times. She wants everyone to see the benefits of breastfeeding.

Lactation Workshop Trainer

Allana Samuel, BA, IBCLC

Allana Samuel, infamously known as the late-night lactation consultant, brings a lighthearted and simple approach to the complexity of lactation issues. She is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant who began her journey seventeen years ago as a breastfeeding peer counselor. She cherishes the experience and skills she has acquired over time. She offers a listening ear, a warm heart, and lactation expertise that has improved many lives. Allana attended the UCSD Lactation Program and received her certification in 2010.

She has a sheer passion for teaching and training both families and providers. She understands that pregnancy and infant care is an exciting yet vulnerable time and that skilled support is invaluable/priceless/ vital. Allana takes pride in her belief that lactation promotion and support is not merely a job but a lifestyle that has the power to transform individual lives and communities. She has breastfed all four of her amazing children and is delighted to be one of your Breast Friends during your lactation journey!

Fatherhood Specialist

Shaun Burgess

Shaun Burgess is a dedicated breastfeeding peer counselor, providing support to new fathers from a male perspective. As the father of SJ, who was breastfed for four years, he advocates for exclusive breastfeeding for babies as he sees the many benefits in his own son. With a background in security and conflict resolution, Shaun brings calm, practical guidance to fathers navigating their infant feeding journeys. He is CPR trained and currently expanding his expertise through Community Health Worker Training.

Board Members

  • Julie Taylor

    President

  • Brandi Gates Burgess

    Vice President

  • Desiree Lane

    Treasurer

  • Kiya Clary

    Secretary

  • Jaontra "JJ" Henderson

    Board Member

  • Julie is the youngest of four children, born and raised in San Francisco. She comes from a lineage of community organizers and activists who have made difficult but necessary decisions to uplift and empower their community. As a mother of three melanated children, she navigates the complexities of raising them in a society fraught with racism while instilling in them a deep sense of awareness, pride, resilience, and kindness.

    Her dedication to serving her community began in her teenage years, and it has been the driving force behind her vision for this life. As a reproductive justice warrior and consultant in the Bay Area, she strives to address systemic inequities and create spaces that center the needs and voices of Black individuals and families.

    Julie is a Doula specializing in supporting Black mothers and families, as well as a Lactation Educator providing culturally responsive care and support to melanated communities. Her mission is to ensure that every family feels empowered, seen, and supported throughout their reproductive journeys and beyond.

  • Brandi is a dedicated wife, mother, and lactation consultant. Her passion for Black women and breastfeeding is incomparable. In 2005, Brandi was called to birth work while she was breastfeeding her daughter. She began to work for the WIC program as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, supporting teens and young parents through their lactation journeys. In 2011, Brandi became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and passionately empowered her community.

    Over the years, Brandi’s family has grown, and her career has flourished. She is the founder and executive director of Breast Friends Lactation Support Services, which offers lactation consultation, breastfeeding support groups, and education classes to Black parents.

    Currently, she breastfeeds her son SJ, Co-Chairs the Breastfeeding Cultural Outreach Taskforce (BCOT), whose mission is to review the art of breastfeeding in the African American community. Sits on several community advisory boards, including the Preterm Birth Initiative, Perinatal Equity Initiative, and the MILK Research Lab Community Advisory Board, and works as a lactation consultant at Highland hospital. Brandi brings her innovative perspective, lived experience, and the Black woman’s voice to all of her work.

  • Desiree J. Lane is a dedicated mother, loving wife, and passionate advocate for women's well-being. With a zest for life, she embraces spirituality, travel, fitness, and family. A firm believer in the power of connection and support, which she found in Breast Friends over 10 years ago.  Desiree participated and supported Breast Friends, and in turn, they helped her exclusively breastfeed all three of her children while balancing her demanding full-time job.  

    As an entrepreneur, Desiree empowers women and young girls to thrive, using her platform to mentor and support others in their business endeavors  and self care goals. Her heart is committed to fostering love and togetherness within her family, while also being a strong community advocate.

    Despite the challenges of juggling multiple roles, Desiree’s resilience and determination shine through, as she seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly in the Black community. Her commitment to holistic well-being is reflected in her dedication to fitness and self-care.

    Desiree’s journey is a testament to the multifaceted strength of modern women, blending love, adventure, and entrepreneurship into a life dedicated to inspiring and empowering others.

  • Kiya Clary is a San Francisco native devoted to advancing maternal health in her community. She is a certified full-spectrum doula and has spent her life supporting friends and family through birthwork, helping them navigate reproductive health options and empowering them to make informed choices. She currently serves as a Research Assistant for the California Abundant Birth Project Evaluation Study, building on her previous experience working on UCSF studies such as SOLARS and CERISH. These roles underscore her passion for community-centered research and firsthand engagement with those most affected by policy and healthcare decisions. In her free time, Kiya enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

  • Jaontra “JJ” Henderson is a sister, daughter, and full spectrum birthworker. She comes from a family of caretakers, amazing cooks, and gardeners.

    She originally became passionate about Black maternal health while working at the San Francisco Black Infant Health Program. Hearing first-hand from mamas about their experiences during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum activated something in her. This led to her answering her call to birthwork and learning holistic and traditional practices to support her community as they navigate their reproductive journeys. She uses this sacred knowledge not only to support her community, but to support her own wellbeing as well.

    Although JJ doesn’t have any children of her own yet, she is grateful to support others along their sacred journey of parenthood.