MEET THE BOARD

The Aunties of Kijiji Sisterhood

JOLINA SIMPSON

President

Jollina Simpson is the mother of three, an International Board Certified Lactation Counselor, Midwives’ Assistant, Doula, and Childbirth Educator. She is a co-founder and President of Kijiji Sisterhood, a community based non-profit dedicated to supporting Black and Brown families birthing in Las Vegas. She served in the Professional Development Department as a La Leche League Leader for La Leche League Southern California/Nevada and also worked as a Peer Counselor for WIC for both the Urban League and Nevada Health Centers.

Jollina has been a teacher, speaker, and business owner in the Las Vegas Valley for 18 years and in 2019 was appointed to the State of Nevada’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee.

Jollina Simpson, holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre and a Bachelors of Science in Biology. She is has created curriculums for international teaching organizations and has been a speaker presenting on Breastfeeding and Equity, Hormones and Breastfeeding, Professional Development for IBCLC’s, IBCLC Pathways, Equity and Education, Test Preparation and Strategy, Reproductive Justice and more.

Jollina finds great joy in being present with women, birthing people, and their families throughout the birth year. Seeing the light of self-assuredness shine in them as they realize they have choices and the power to own them, is as sweet and precious as the milk their babies consume.

SEMAJ BRUCE

Vice President

Semaj Bruce has a BA in Healthcare Management, is an IBCLC and Breastfeeding Program Coordinator at Las Vegas Urban League WIC.

Semaj Bruce is co-founder of Kijiji Sisterhood, and serves as Vice President to the board. She is also a board member of Southern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition. In addition to her board duties she is an active member of the Family Planning Advisory Board of the Southern Nevada Health District; and a member of the Maternal Child Health Coalition and March of Dimes Nevada Chapter.

Semaj, has always been passionate about developing ways to increase breastfeeding rates among African American/Black women, and in response began Nevada’s first Black Breastfeeding Week celebrations in 2015, which she continues to celebrate with the support of community partners. Semaj Bruce is an active member of several coalitions in support of minimizing infant mortality and increased breastfeeding rates for all women. She is the owner of Breastfeeding with Maj and Black Breastfeeding Parents Las Vegas Facebook Pages.

Semaj, was born and raised in California and now resides in Las Vegas. She is a wife and mother of 2 wonderful children. In her spare time, she enjoys family barbecues, hiking, and visiting her favorite place, the beach!

AISHA FANNING

Treasurer

As a breastfeeding mother to 4, Aisha's love for the postpartum period and understanding the trials and triumphs of breastfeeding has led her passion in supporting women. Watching the transitions and working alongside, new moms as they navigate their newly enhanced role as matriarchs, is awe-inspring.

As a co-founder of Kijiji Sisterhood, Aisha Fanning is also the owner of Vegas Family Doulas, a doula agency in Las Vegas, NV. She is a certified doula, certified doula trainer, a lactation professional, an infant feeding specialist, a child passenger safety technician instructor, and a placenta encapsulator.

When she's not working hard for the money, Aisha enjoys time and laughter with friends. Crafting and lounging is how Aisha likes to decompress from life's stresses. Hugs and cuddles while watching a movie, has become a Fanning Family weekend tradition. Aisha is a married mother of 4.

RIKKI JENKINS

Board Secretary

Rikki Jenkins is known for providing all-inclusive services to expectant families and birth professionals in the greater Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas.

She is a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, First Aid/ CPR/AED certified with Red Cross, an Evidence-Based Birth® Instructor, and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Maternal Child Health with an emphasis in Human Lactation.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband, their daughter, and two dogs. loves to host support groups, and teach classes to expectant parents, and birth professionals.