Danielle Brook Shares Her Parenting Experience

Photo: Amanda Pratt

 After years of not being represented or having only generic images placed on magazine covers, I was surprised to see Parents Magazine use a picture that actually looks  like a real live Black mother.  Danielle Brook, actress and powerhouse graced the May cover with her daughter, Freeya.  The Netflix and Lifetime star has played Taystee in Orange is the New Black on Netflix and Mahalia Jackson on a Lifetime movie.  Now Danielle is tackling her new role as mother, and surprised by her own parenting style. She always imagined she’d be a strict parent, until she had her daughter. After some disagreement with her mother,  she now realizes that she just wants Freeya to feel free to explore her environment and learn to make good decisions. As she explains in the article, “Her name’s Freeya. Part of me is like, ‘Just let that baby be free.” She has also discovered that motherhood has made her more fearless and more patient.

“Now I feel hopeful because I know how I’m going to raise my child. There’s one better human being in this world,” she said. “It’s work on the parents’ part to show our kids love. I pray I raise my daughter to be street smart and be able to tackle the world and not be defeated by it. Motherhood has been good. It feels good on me.”

Black Motherhood is not a monolithic experience, and the joy of mothering comes in many shades and sizes. Our stories are just beginning to be told. Hopefully, Black couples will also be featured on covers. 

Danielle's story is so  refreshing to hear, and you can learn more about her birth story on Netflix's Youtube, A Little Bit Pregnant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfv_PnPjY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKMajKMQ5RM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfA4w7qy0pA

Through The Night Examines the Personal Cost of Childcare

Sunday's Inspiration: Happy Mother's Day

Every Sunday, Meet the Visionaries who are inspiring our community.

Meet Loira Limbal

Through the Night is a documentary that explores the personal cost of  motherhood for families in this country.  The story centers around two working mothers and a child care provider, whose lives connect at a 24-hour daycare center in New Rochelle, New York.  Loira Limbal’s film gives an insightful view of Dee’s Tots Daycare in New Rochelle which provides 24 hour child care for  a houseful of children who range in age from infants to tweens.  Most of the parents who bring their kids to Deloris “Nunu” and Patrick “Pop Pop” Hogan are single mothers working endlessly long hours to keep their families afloat. Limbal, the filmmaker is also a single parent who holds down a full time job. In her film she examines the realities of everyday life for a working mother and how it affects the whole family and community. In an economic system that keeps mothers away from their children for long periods of time, Nunu provides the nurturing and care for their children.  The kids arrive at all hours, depending on their parents’ work schedules. Each evening the playroom becomes a dormitory of gym mats and blankets for the children whose mothers work night shifts. As Nunu explains, “This is the way the world is set up at this point.” Despite these inequities, Limbal captures and celebrates the hope, care and resilience of both the caregivers and the mothers. "This place is magical and this is a love letter to caregivers (who sacrifice to give life to the next generation."  Through the Night can be seen on PBS TV starting May 10 at 10 pm. Check local listing. You can see an interview with the filmmaker, Loira Limbal talking about her work at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc9zldp9Wl8.

Basetsana Kumalo Celebrates Her Birthday By Paying Forward

 Sunday Inspiration: Sharing Black Joy

Every Sunday, Meet the Visionaries who are inspiring our community.

I love life. I make each day count. I live a life of gratitude.

I know my life purpose and that  gives me a sense of direction.

(So) I wake up everyday and show up for my purpose.

Basetsana Kumalo

During troubling times, we need to hear stories of empowerment and caring. With so much disturbing news,  I love to hear positive stories that inspire and make me smile.  Basetsana's story exemplifies the joy of giving and the spirit of Ubuntu. For South Africans, "Ubuntu represents love, truth, peace, happiness, eternal optimism, inner goodness, and the  recognition that we are all one. Ubuntu is the essence of a human being, the divine spark of goodness inherent within each being. They believe that from the beginning of time the divine principles of Ubuntu have guided African societies." And it is wonderful to see someone put that into practice.

The National Museum of African American Music Opens their Doors in Nashville

 

Nashville is now home to The National Museum of African American Music which opened last month as the only museum in the nation with a dedicated focus on the impact of African American music.   Museum officials explained why Nashville was chosen as the location for their project, "NMAAM strengthens and diversifies the “Music City” brand with compelling connections to both local and national musical distinctions. Additionally, Nashville is a place where significant African American music events and artists thrived. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, and Little Richard are just a few of the pioneering artists who were a part of Nashville music scene in the early stages of their career." 

As the Covid numbers begin to decrease, and the country begins to open, the Museum hopes that it will become a destination point for African American families. "The National Museum of African American Music is building on the successes of Tennessee’s diverse culture and nationally recognized music, museums and institutions including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Graceland, The Grand Ole’ Opry, The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and The Bessie Smith Museum among several others. The museum’s interactive galleries will play along with the American soundtrack, illuminate Nashville’s significant influence, and share how African American music inspires others around the world." The Museum plans to explore the roots of the rich musical heritage of African Americans.

Black Children's Lives Matter

Daddy, changed the world

Gianna Floyd

N*Gen TV Series Sparks Children's Interest in STEM

The goal of educators all over the world today is to prepare young people for the future by achieving proficiency in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Teachers in Africa are getting a heads up on exposing scientific information to children ages 8 to 12 with a new TV show called  N*Gen (pronounced "engine), or Next Generation Television.  The show looks at science through an African lens. Weekly episodes are filmed in a studio in Kampala, Uganda and sometimes on locations like a chocolate factory for an episode about food. Although they just started airing in September in Uganda, they have already received acclaim for their inclusion of women and creative topics. Now a team of teachers and producers in Uganda as well as Nigeria and Kenya – where some segments are also filmed – brainstorm ideas for episodes. For many of them, it was their first time working in TV.  The show, which features a dozen 35-minute episodes, has been picked up by TV networks in more than half a dozen African countries.  The cast and producers began scripting a second N*Gen series in January with a focus on climate change-related issues. On Feb. 6, it debuted on The Africa Channel in North America and the Caribbean, children and families can view it every Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. ET.

Michelle Obama introduces her latest Project, Waffles + Mochi on Netflix

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama has just unveiled her latest project, Waffles+Mochi, a new children’s show on @Netflix.  Waffles and Mochi are two Muppets-like puppets who dream of becoming chefs. When they are finally hired by a magical supermarket, they embark on a series of far-flung adventures to discover new foods from around the world. They pick potatoes in the Andes of Peru, try spices in Italy, and make miso in Japan—finding plenty of friends along the way.

As Michelle Obama explains Waffles + Mochi. is "all about good food: discovering it, cooking it, and of course, eating it. These two will take us on adventures all around the world to explore new ingredients and try out new recipes. Kids will love it, but I know that adults will also get plenty of laughs—and some tips for the kitchen."

This show will remind families of her work supporting children's health, tackling childhood obesity and nutrition, and creating a White House garden as First Lady. Now Mrs. Obama further expounds on Instagram about her new show, " I wish a program like this had been around when my girls were young. I also know that this is a difficult time for so many families, and I’m hopeful that this delightful show can bring a bit of light and laughter to homes around the world. That’s why as part of the show’s commitment to helping families during the pandemic, we’re working with our partners at @PHAnews to get fresh ingredients to families in need across the country so they can cook together at home." So Waffles + Mochi will be working with the Partnership for a Healthier America to deliver fresh fruits, produce, and other goods to families in need so they can cook together during the pandemic.

This is just the latest project for Mrs. Obama who along with her husband, Barack created a production company, Higher Ground, that aims to promote diverse voices and stories. Their first documentary, American Factory, won an Academy Award. Over the summer she launched a podcast, and recently published a new rendering of her best-selling 2018 memoir, Becoming aimed at young people.  Becoming: Adapted for Young People will be available on March 2.

Waffles+Mochi will start streaming on Netflix starting on March 16.