Who Are We

Laonzvee Crawford is the Founder and CEO of By Your Side, a maternal health program rooted in compassion, advocacy, and lived experience. After delivering a baby who did not survive at 24 weeks and later experiencing a near-death emergency while delivering her youngest son, Laonzvee witnessed the deep disparities in maternal care faced by Black and Brown women. These traumatic experiences combined with navigating pregnancy while in an abusive relationship showed her how important a strong, reliable support system truly is and ignited her passion to help other mothers . She often shares that without the encouragement, guidance, and help she received, she would not be where she is today. She has made it one of her life missions to ensure pregnant women do not have to walk through pregnancy alone especially those facing trauma, instability, or unsafe environments

Laonzvee is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and is currently working on completion of her Masters of Social Work (MSW). With an extensive background in social work, maternal health advocacy, and community-based support services, she brings both professional expertise and lived understanding to the families she serves.

As a single mother of four, Laonzvee understands the strength, courage, and vulnerability that come with motherhood. Her story is the foundation of By Your Side’s purpose: to empower pregnant and postpartum women, provide safety and stability, and offer the kind of support she once needed herself.

By Your Side is her commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and empowering space where mothers can thrive no matter their circumstances.

Dr. Cheryl Fultz-Quick serves as the Assistant Program Director of the By Your Side Maternal Health Program, where she brings over 25 years of experience in counseling, leadership, and family advocacy.

Dr. Fultz-Quick is a seasoned Christian counselor, public speaker, and community leader with a long-standing commitment to supporting women, children, and families. Her career is rooted in providing guidance, emotional support, and practical resources to individuals navigating life’s most challenging transitions.

She previously served as Director of the Single Moms Program at New Beginnings Counseling Center in Georgia, where she provided leadership, mentorship, and essential resources to single mothers striving for stability and independence.

Dr. Fultz-Quick has also dedicated over two decades to ministry, serving as a Youth Pastor at Antioch Tabernacle UHCA, as well as a Minister and Advisor to couples and families. Her extensive background includes work as a Spiritual Advisor within the Dauphin County Prison System and as hospital clergy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she provided compassionate care to individuals and families in crisis.

In addition to her ministry work, Dr. Fultz-Quick has significant experience in behavioral health and education. She worked as a Therapeutic Staff Support Counselor assisting children with behavioral challenges and their families, and she served within the Harrisburg School System for 13 years, supporting student development and family engagement.

After relocating to Georgia in 2013, Dr. Fultz-Quick continued her impactful work as a Children’s Pastor and Associate Pastor at Live Free Church, further expanding her outreach to diverse families and communities.

She is also the founder of DrCFultz, LLC, where she provides virtual pastoral counseling services, offering guidance and support to individuals seeking faith-based counseling.

Through her leadership with the By Your Side Maternal Health Program, Dr. Fultz-Quick continues to advocate for maternal wellness, empower women, and strengthen families with compassion, expertise, and unwavering dedication.

Kristin Braxton serves as the Maternal Health Manager Supervisor at By Your Side, where she brings over 11 years of experience in the mental health field alongside a deep-rooted passion for maternal and family wellness. Her professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to supporting individuals through some of life’s most vulnerable and transformative moments, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

In 2021, Kristin expanded her scope of practice by becoming a trained doula and childbirth educator. This additional training allows her to provide holistic, culturally responsive support to women and families, addressing not only physical health needs but also emotional, mental, and social well-being throughout the perinatal journey. She is especially passionate about reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes and ensuring that all women, particularly those from underserved communities have access to compassionate, informed, and equitable care.

In her leadership role, Kristin oversees maternal health programming, supports and mentors staff, and works collaboratively with community partners to strengthen services for families. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes dignity, empowerment, and advocacy, ensuring that every client feels heard, respected, and cared for.

Kristin is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Fayetteville State University, where she continues to deepen her knowledge and clinical skills. She plans to obtain her clinical licensure and further specialize in maternal mental health, with a focus on addressing issues such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma-informed care.

Driven by compassion, purpose, and a strong sense of advocacy, Kristin is committed to empowering women, strengthening families, and creating lasting, positive change in the communities she serves. Her work reflects her belief that every mother deserves support, every voice deserves to be heard, and every family deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Mya Locklear’s story is one of faith, resilience, and purpose.

As a devoted single mother of two wonderful sons, Mya has always carried her family with strength, love, and determination. Her life is rooted and grounded in the Word of God, and it is her unwavering faith in the Lord that has guided her through every trial and triumph. She is a compassionate, loving, caring, and understanding woman whose heart has always been drawn to nurturing and supporting others.

For years, Mya has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field, helping individuals navigate some of the most difficult seasons of their lives. Her ability to connect with people comes not only from her professional experience, but from her own personal journey of overcoming adversity.

Mya knows firsthand what it means to need support.

She endured a painful and destructive domestic relationship that sought to tear down her character, her morals, and her sense of self-worth. There were moments when the weight of the situation felt unbearable. Yet through it all, God’s grace sustained her. The prayers, encouragement, and support of family, friends, and her faith community became the lifeline she needed to remain strong.

Looking back, Mya often reflects on where she might be had God not placed those supportive people in her life. Their love and guidance helped her overcome one of the darkest chapters of her story.

Instead of allowing her pain to define her, Mya chose to let it refine her.

Her experiences ignited a deep passion to help other mothers who are facing similar struggles. She understands the fear, the uncertainty, and the loneliness that can come with domestic abuse, single motherhood, and life’s hardships. More importantly, she understands the power of having someone who believes in you.

Today, Mya is dedicated to being that source of encouragement and support for other women. She wants every mother she encounters to know that they are not alone, that their circumstances do not define them, and that with faith in God, they too can overcome and achieve their goals.

Mya Locklear is more than a maternal support specialist—she is a living testimony of God’s healing power. Through her compassion, wisdom, and lived experience, she continues to pour into the lives of others, helping mothers rediscover their strength, rebuild their confidence, and walk boldly into the future God has prepared for them

April Jones is a woman who puts her trust in God and believes that through Him, all things are possible. She is a loving wife, a proud mother of three beautiful daughters, and a blessed Gigi to four beautiful grandchildren who bring so much joy to her life.

April has a heart for helping others and believes in showing love, kindness, and compassion to everyone she meets. Her journey has not always been easy. She has faced struggles with depression and alcohol, but these experiences do not define her. They are part of her story, reminding her that even in life’s darkest moments, there is hope, healing, and the possibility of a new beginning.

Through every challenge, April continues to lean on God, trusting the Father and Jesus Christ to guide her steps. She knows that faith doesn’t mean life is always easy; it means believing God is with her through it all.

April’s story is one of faith, family, perseverance, and love. She believes our struggles do not define us, our past does not determine our future, and with God, there is always hope.