Last night’s episode of ABC’s Black-ish gave “mainstream” America a peak into a rarely seen or discussed conversation that takes place in Black households: The Name Game. Depending on how many generations are involved in this process, it can be simple or result in the expectant mother receiving a storm of phone calls and messages with… “Alisha! I KNOW you and Kevin ain’t gonna name that baby KEVILISHA!” But they will. Because it’s “cute.” Because Kevilisha was made out of love between Alisha and … Read More »
Dear Daughters: 10 Important Lessons in Self-Love
As parents, especially mothers, we have a checklist of attributes we want our daughters to have. Speaking properly. Dressing properly. Presenting themselves well. Getting a great education. The list goes on and on. When we see girls and women who don't have these attributes, we are quick to diagnose the absence of these attributes as a reason for their questionable decisions. On the other hand, there are many girls and women whose parents seemingly did "everything right" and when something … Read More »
Why I take my daughters to my Spelman reunions.
Today is commencement day at Spelman College. For this carefully selected group of young women from across the globe, it marks the beginning of their lives as alumnae. Today they will leave these gates and go out into the world and represent Spelman as mothers, wives, attorneys, doctors, nurses, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and change agents. The love they have for Dear Spelman is in its infancy and they will only come to love her more as their experiences in the world help them to … Read More »
My Baby Died: The First Time I Laughed Again
I’m not sure how many days after we buried Toni Camille that Anthony went back to work but it was much too soon for me. That morning was like any other morning since she died. My eyes popped open just before 5 a.m. I didn’t want to disturb Anthony so I eased quietly out of bed. To say that the quietness of the early morning was deafening would be an understatement. I had to remind myself that I did not have to maneuver around Toni’s bassinet because it … Read More »
