Vanessa Simmons

Speaker, Author, Educator

Latch the Gap

Vanessa A. Simmons is a first-generation Ghanaian-American photographer, speaker, and author. In 2014, Ghanaian-American mother and photographer, Simmons authored the Normalize Breastfeeding movement to address the taboo of public breastfeeding in modern society. Her mission was to document diverse variations of normal infant feeding, across cultures and delivery methods of human milk. As a Lactation Educator and Certified Blactivist, Simmons is speaking at conferences and events to eliminate general miseducation around the topic. Simmons is a public speaker focused on transforming the modern mindset around the natural, yet difficult task of breastfeeding. Vanessa trains lactation advocates to better understand how to connect with millennial families online. She activates her gift of vision through speaking and writing to transform the mindset of parents and powerhouse advocates, teaching them to ambitiously pursue their dreams while simultaneously prioritizing joy, and rest, as they serve their family and give back to their community. Simmons resides with her loving husband and three children in San Diego, CA