In My Shoes Stories from Women of Color

May is the month for me ya'll! It's my birthday, mother's day, and it's also Mental Health and Foster Care Awareness Month. All of this is of course, near and dear to my heart. Find out what being a foster mama meant to me and what I've learned as the mama of a child (now an adult) living with a mental health disorder AND the four things about Mental Health Awareness Month that I hope you can remember year round.

PLUS how you can help me celebrate my milestone birthday

More great advice on mental health from a former guest and mental health advocate Natasha Pierre.

It's a term you hear a lot these days, but what exactly does it mean? Many describe micro aggressions as subtle or unintentional acts of racism? But are they unintentional? And does calling it subtle make it any better or any less hurtful? And when is a micro aggression just an incident of flat out racism?

Maureen Greene-James of MGJ Speaks is an inclusion champion with great insight into what micro aggressions are, what they aren't and what to do when you experience it.

Catching up on what's been going on with me and with my baby girl as we honor Autism Awareness Month. It's been a minute since a solo episode. Wait until I tell you what happened to me not to mention my baby girl and how it's related to her Autism diagnosis. As an African American mom of an adult on the spectrum the journey has been winding and sometimes full of potholes, be we are making it and there's no road I'd rather be on. Find out why and the advice I give to new moms on this Autism journey.

In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month I wanted you to meet my girls! During the pandemic, we agreed to become an accountability team, helping each other as we grow our business, but what happened over a very short time became so much more than that!

This episode will dispel the myth about women unwilling to support each other. Find out how we met, how we formed an unbreakable bond, what we think of the stereotype AND why we think it's so important for women to support each other.

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It started when Elizabeth Leiba was falsely arrested for a pack of batteries she had actually paid for. When she opened up about her experience it resonated and her social media BLEW UP! As she began talking to other Black women she realized empowerment for Black women, learning to love themselves as they are, and understanding the only path to true happiness is showing up as YOU, natural hair and all!

Find out why Elizabeth says she let go of "Angela" and what happened the night before her book release.

And check out her first episode with IMS Today and why she decided to share her story and experience.

J'Aaron Merchant, Chief Creative Officer for Black Paper Party talks about how the company began, what happened when she and her two co-founders saw a lack of representation in the holiday retail space, and how she's learning to embrace and celebrate her wins as a freelance illustrator and creator of the characters and illustrations for the new company.

Find out more about Black Paper Party:

https://www.blackpaperparty.com

Instagram: @blackpaperparty

I have finally recorded it FAM! This episode I've been teasing for sometime. Find out what really went down with my baby girl and the day she came home with a referral accusing her of destroying school property.

Such powerful language and emotional wording. And when I tell you what she actually did! You won't believe it. On this quick episode I tell you why it's so important that we pay attention to the words used to describe our children and their behavior in the classroom.

Ya'll know, I believe in the power of words!

No music, no intro, just me!

I could not let 2022 ride off into the sunset without saying hello to you all! I am excited about next year and continuing this podcast journey with all of you. I took a little break, but I've still been busy. This is a quick catch up. Tomorrow I'll go live on FB to share my word for 2023. Do you have your word, your mantra for the new year? There is still time to work on it.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook; Instagram and I am even trying to get my TikTok game going!

I recorded this just before Hurricane Ian but before I could post, Ian hit and we were without power for a few days! So I am releasing on World Mental Health Day instead of a little earlier the way I planned. As the mom of a special needs child I know how important it is to take care of your own mental health if you want to be there for others.

I hope this resonates with you. Happy World Mental Health Day!

I LOVE Tabitha Brown, did I say I LOVE HER?! So, when a comment on Twitter called her choice to refuse to be anything less than what God made her to be was call arrogant by another Black Woman, Auntie Tab let her know it isn't arrogance, it's freedom.

You know I had to weigh in! Why would her choice be called arrogant, and why would one Black woman attach that label to another Black woman for such a personal choice?

Why does it sometimes feel as though it's tough for us to support each other and the choices we make?

I would love to know what you think! Hit me up and let me know: [email protected]. And be sure to take my challenge, promote and support a woman of color this week, no judgement, just pure love!

I will start! Check out my girl Ginain Grayes and her new podcast: Cook the Garden - https://cookprayslay.com/podcast