2024 Board Members

Executive Director/President

Dr. Zenobia Harris

Dr. Zenobia Harris leads the Arkansas Birthing Project as its Executive Director, spearheading a mentoring and empowerment initiative that links local volunteers with pregnant women, particularly focusing on improving pregnancy outcomes and fostering the birth of healthier babies within communities of color. Her leadership extends beyond local efforts; Dr. Harris is actively engaged at both state and national levels, advocating for health equity and advancements in maternal, child, and family health.

Currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Arkansas Maternal Health Advisory Board, Dr. Harris is committed to community-based participatory and collaborative models that enhance health outcomes in communities of color. Her dedication to these initiatives reflects a profound commitment to ensuring every mother and baby receives the support and resources necessary for a healthy start in life.

Board Vice President & BPUSA National Trainer

Alice Rogers-Johnson

Alice Rogers-Johnson, MSN, BSN, RNP is the Vice President oft he Arkansas Birthing Project, and National Trainer for Birthing Project USA. She has been employed by the Arkansas Department of Health for over 30 years as RNP/Clinician, Birthing Project Regional Coordinator and Local Coordinator/Bunch Manager- Footsteps to Freedom Birthing Project.

Fiscal Advisor

Loretta Alexander, MHSA

Loretta Alexander is former Health Policy Director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.  She has a long history of support for Birthing Project activities in Arkansas, dating back to the initial Birthing Project Bunch at Watershed. She currently serves as a Board Member of Arkansas Birthing Project. She has been a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Little Rock for over 35 years

Grant Advisor

Dr. Sarah Rhoads, DNP, PhD

Sarah Rhoads is currently on faculty at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Nursing and College of Medicine. Sarah has a passion for improving maternal, neonatal, and pediatric care in rural areas and in women of color. She has partnered with Dr. Zenobia Harris on several grants and has enjoyed the friendships she has made through the Arkansas Birthing Project.

Bunch Manager

Ruthie Pride

Ruthie Pride is Bunch Manager of the Legacy Birthing Project in West Helena, AR.    Ruthie is currently a curator with the Delta Cultural Center.  She is very active in her local community in opening doors and providing support to pregnant women and their babies.

Board Member

Miriam Karanja

Miriam Karanja is Director of Programs for the Arkansas Cancer Coalition. She has served in multiple management roles including as Section Chief of Media and Health Communications at the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, as Program Director for Southern Bancorp’s Good Faith Fund Business Development Center, as a Business Consultant for Temple University Small Business Development Center and as an Assistant Brand Manager for Unilever in Kenya, Africa.
Miriam has a Master of Business Administration degree in Economic Development from Eastern University in Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Nairobi University, and Diploma in Marketing from the Marketing Society of Kenya. She is a life-long learner who enjoys solving all levels of community health problems.  Miriam also works as an Assistant Professor for Arkansas Baptist College and Shorter College. She enjoys serving at New Life Church in West Little Rock and raising her son.