about us
Meet Our Board of Directors:
At Luna & Sol, our Board of Directors is more than just a group of leaders—they are a collective of passionate individuals dedicated to the well-being of pregnant and postpartum women of color. Each member brings a unique blend of expertise, experience, and heart to our organization, guiding us as we work to make wellness, healing, and community more accessible for all.
Our board is composed of advocates, healers, educators, and community leaders who understand the challenges faced by women of color during pregnancy and postpartum. They are committed to addressing the disparities in maternal health care and creating a nurturing environment where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported.
Our Founder & Executive Director:
Merrisa Arnold Stern
Merrisa Arnold Stern, the visionary behind Luna & Sol, has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over 16 years. Her journey is rooted in a deep commitment to social, birthing, and reproductive justice, and she is a fierce advocate for maternal mental health. Merrisa is a certified yoga instructor (E-RYT 200), specializing in Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga, Meditation, Breathwork, Ayurvedic Nutrition, and Peer Support/Spiritual Guidance.
Her passion for supporting mothers led her to complete her Lactation Education certification in 2022, followed by Birth Doula training, after which she founded Luna Life Doula Services in the Antelope Valley. As a co-lead of the AV AAIMM (African American Infant Maternal Mortality) Integrated Holistic Care Work Group, Merrisa continues to fight for the well-being of mothers and infants in her community.
Merrisa’s leadership extends beyond yoga and doula services. In 2023, she became the first facilitator of the Centering Pregnancy Model in Southern California, partnering with Kaiser Permanente and The Black Maternal Center of Excellence Program at Charles Drew University to bring group prenatal care to expecting parents. A proud first-generation American of Belizean heritage, Merrisa is also a devoted wife and mother of two boys. Her commitment to Luna & Sol reflects her lifelong dedication to uplifting and empowering women of color.
our commitment
The Luna & Sol Board of Directors is deeply committed to our mission of creating accessible, transformative spaces for women of color. We know that lasting change requires collective effort, and that’s why we invite you to join us on this journey. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, your involvement can make a profound impact. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier community where every woman feels empowered and supported. Become a part of Luna & Sol and help us continue to uplift and care for those who need it most.