In My Shoes Stories from Women of Color

Melissa Toyo had been dreaming about writing a book, but with a family and a full- time job, she could never find the time. Then, the pandemic hit, the world went into lockdown and she suddenly had three extra hours a day that she would normally spend getting to and from work.

So she decided to put that time to good use and began the draft of a children's book. After a few ideas she finally found the one that spoke to her and the book Brown is a Beautiful Color was born.

Find out why a children's book and what she hopes this book will mean for girls of color everywhere.

Brown is a Beautiful Color is out for pre-sale NOW. With an official release is this Saturday-8/14/21.

-Pre-order the hardcover or eBook of Brown is a Beautiful Color: https://www.colorinwriting.com/shop

* Pre-order your eBook directly on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099314LKK/ref=nodl_?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

This year's Olympics has been about so much more than the usual medal count. From Sha'carri's disqualification before the games even began, to Simone's brave decision to take a step back and Naomi's return to light the torch and represent Japan in tennis, women of color have certainly been front and center.

Take a listen as I talk with two members of my village talk about how we feel about it all. Did Sha'carri deserve a chance to run? Why Simone's decision NOT to compete means more than the two medals she's bringing home, and how Naomi started the important conversation of mental health that helped pave the way for Simone to stand in her truth. Mental health has taken center stage at the games.

We definitely have a lot to say. Once you listen, comment back on the IMS Facebook page and tell us what you think.

Marie Rattigan was 13 years old. She was riding the bus home when her cousin was assaulted and the bus driver asked the two girls if they wanted to call the police. They said yes, but Maria asked if she could get off the bus while they waited to tell her mother where they were.

One minute, the middle schooler was talking to her mom, the next minute, she was being slammed against a car, frisked, put in handcuffs and hauled away in the back of a police car. Totally confused, Marie refused to agree to a plea deal and opted for a trial.

Fast forward nearly 13 years later, her life has come full circle. Find out what happened, hear her story.

Continuing to honor Bebe Moore Minority Mental Health Month this is a REWIND episode!

This was our conversation last year just before World Mental Health Day:

We had a chance for another important talk with Natasha Pierre, Executive Director of NAMI Hillsborough (Tampa). NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots organization focusing on mental health, mental illness and advocacy.

She talks about the importance of protecting our peace, acknowledging our feelings during this tough time (pandemic, social unrest, job loss) and being unapologetic about meeting our own needs and self-care.

Learn more about the NAMI chapter in your area: https://www.nami.org/Home

Follow Natasha Pierre on social media: https://www.facebook.com/NatashaPierreOfficial

Are you caring for someone struggling with a Mental Illness or an "invisible disability"? Join our community today for support and resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2365758677086524/?ref=share

This is a solo episode ya'll. You know I had to talk about Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month. As I continue to navigate life for my baby girl (who will turn 20 this month!) and figure out how to balance that with my own life, it got me to thinking... who cares for the caregiver?

Listen as I give an update on my beautiful baby girl and give you a few tips on how you can make sure that as you care for others, you don't forget to Take Care of You.

Join our community for caregivers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2365758677086524/

Then, download our newest product, the Self Care Planner Ebook: https://inmyshoestoday.com/shop/ols/products/self-care-planner-ebook

The reaction to a video a few weeks ago posted by Monique and her feelings on Black women walking around in Bonnets, Blankets and Slippers started a frenzy on social media.

So you know my girls and I had to put in our two cents! Check out what we had to say about this "trend" and how people reacted to Monique's take on it.

It's me, Amber Conage of Designs By Lynne and Maureen Greene-James of MGJ Speaks!

After you listen, check out my girls!

Designs By Lynne: https://designsbylynne.com

MGJ Speaks!: https://mgjspeaks.com

Shar Phillips has been crafting for more than twenty years. She joined social media groups to meet other crafters and things were going well, until George Floyd was murdered. And a space that was meant to encourage creativity began to become a place to use creativity to make offensive and inappropriate comments about Floyd's death.

It was clear it wasn't a safe space for women of color. So Shar started her own group, and a year later, she has more than 50,000 women sharing their crafts and making money, starting actual businesses, in a space that still holds little room for women of color. But Shar and her group Brown and Bougie, are committed to changing that - demanding a voice for the millions women of color spend in the industry.

Starting this group has started a revolution and these women have a lot to say.

Follow Shar on Clubhouse or Facebook @Brown and Bougie

You have all heard the story. Vanessa Guillen was a vibrant, beautiful 20-year-old soldier who vanished from the Fort Hood Texas Army base. With no real answers from the Army the family began a crusade to find out what happened to Vanessa. Tragically her remains were found on June 30 of last year, killed at the hands of a fellow soldier.

Hear her sister Mayra talk about all the family has been through to ensure Vanessa did not die in vain. Currently the family is working to pass legislation in her honor. Call your representatives and urge them to make her bill law.

It's my hubby ya'll! Joining me at the table to talk about being a girl dad and how he handled the news when her diagnoses began pouring in. Sometimes the importance of a dad is overlooked and for Father's Day, I wanted to shine a light on that special relationship between a girl and her dad.

So check out my boo! He has some great wisdom to share and he will talk about the difference between being a boy dad and a girl dad (since we have a son too!). And, you'll find out why it was so important to me that he attend school conferences and events for both of our children.

It's a Father's Day edition of In My Shoes, because a girl needs her dad!

Happy Father's Day!

Meet Brittany Noble, of the Noble Journalist. She was working her way up in TV News, landed an anchor position, then, she had a baby, decided to embrace her natural hair, and everything changed.

They wouldn't accommodate her with a place to pump, they took her face off of the promotional billboards while she was pregnant, she wasn't invited to represent the station at events and had her natural hair deemed unprofessional and compared to wearing a baseball cap.

Find out what she decided to do about it and how the station responded.

Follow Brittany on Instagram: @thenoblejournalist