Building a Global Village for Moms: Inside Terranie Sims Clarke’s Mission to Revolutionize Maternal Support

When Terranie Sims Clarke became a mother, her journey nearly ended in tragedy — but it also became the spark for something extraordinary. Out of her experience, she built The Heart Next Door, a maternal wellness brand and app that’s redefining how mothers are supported through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Powered by empathy and innovation, the platform features Nia, a 24/7 AI doula designed to bridge the gap between technology and human connection — ensuring that no mother ever feels unseen or unsupported.

Based in Detroit, Terranie’s mission is as bold as it is personal: to create a global village where care, community, and compassion meet. With recognition from Motor City Match, Michigan Women Forward, and Detroit’s thriving startup ecosystem, she’s proving that when mothers thrive, families — and entire communities — rise with them.

We are so proud to have Terraine as part of our content partners community.  Partners help spread the word about the work we do, sponsor our mission and collaborate with us on content like this.  We hope you enjoy our conversation.

Terraine, thank you for joining us, but more importantly thank you for the important work you are doing. What inspired you to create The Heart Next Door, and how did your own journey through pregnancy and postpartum shape the mission behind the brand?
The Heart Next Door was born from my own story — one that nearly ended in tragedy. After my daughter’s birth, I learned that I had survived a severe complication and that, in the United States, not only do we have the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation, but 80% of maternal deaths are preventable. That realization changed everything for me. I experienced firsthand how isolating and frightening motherhood can be when care feels disconnected, even with a supportive team. I knew something had to change.The Heart Next Door became my answer — a way to make care, connection, and compassion accessible 24/7 for every mother, no matter where she is or what she’s going through.

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The app features Nia, an AI-powered doula that moms can access 24/7. How does Nia work, and how do you see technology like this complementing—not replacing—the human touch in maternal care?
Nia is designed to meet mothers where they are. She offers daily emotional check-ins, physical wellness prompts, and personalized affirmations — all rooted in the same warmth and empathy you’d expect from a trusted doula. When a mother needs additional support, Nia can connect her to a real specialist, like a lactation consultant, therapist, or doula within her community. Technology should never replace the human touch — it should extend it. Nia bridges that gap, ensuring no mother feels unseen between appointments or after hours. She’s not there instead of the village — she helps build it.

You’ve described The Heart Next Door as blending “tech and trusted community.” What does that look like in practice, and how are you partnering with local organizations and birth centers to make maternal care more accessible?
For us, “tech and trusted community” means combining innovation with heart. We partner with providers, birth centers, nonprofits, and community organizations to ensure moms can access real resources directly through the app. It’s about making it easy for mothers to find help in moments that matter most — whether that’s booking a postpartum visit, joining a local support group, or getting mental health guidance. The technology makes it seamless, but the community makes it meaningful.

You’ve been recognized by Motor City Match, Michigan Women Forward, and Detroit’s startup ecosystem. What has that journey been like as a founder building something so mission-driven in the heart of Detroit?
It’s been both humbling and empowering. Detroit is a city of resilience, innovation, and heart — and those same qualities are embedded in The Heart Next Door. Being supported by programs like Motor City Match and Michigan Women Forward affirmed that this work matters, not just for mothers, but for the future of families and communities. As a founder, I’ve learned that when you lead from love and purpose, resources and alignment follow. Detroit has wrapped its arms around this mission, and that’s what keeps me grounded and grateful.

Looking ahead, what’s your bigger vision for The Heart Next Door—how do you hope this platform changes the way we think about supporting mothers, both in Detroit and across the country?
My vision is to make The Heart Next Door a global village — where every mother, no matter her background or circumstance, has access to care and community. I want to see hospitals, nonprofits, and employers use this platform to reimagine what support looks like — not as a one-time service, but as an ongoing relationship. When mothers thrive, families thrive — and thriving families build thriving communities. That’s the future we’re building: a world where no mother dies giving life, and every woman seen, supported and heard through birth and beyond.