On Saturday evening, March 7, I had the opportunity to attend an event in Bronzeville, Illinois, called The Little Black Dress Event, and it was truly an incredible experience. I was surrounded by powerful, resilient women. Many of whom have faced difficult seasons yet chose not to let those challenges define them. Instead, they’ve built lives that are not only meaningful for themselves but also impactful for their families and communities.
I support all women, regardless of race or background. However, I also believe in acknowledging and celebrating the unique beauty and strength of specific communities. Black women are often burdened with the stereotype that we cannot gather without conflict or division. What I experienced that evening completely contradicted that narrative. It was a space filled with togetherness, encouragement, genuine support, and love. The bonds hit differently when it is built through shared struggle.
One story that stood out was of a young woman named VaLandria, who created a whipped shea butter line called Coarse Culture. At just 14 years old, after her mother was diagnosed with Lupus and struggled with pain, she developed a remedy to help ease her discomfort. What started as a daughter’s act of love turned into something much greater, as her mother began sharing it with others, and it quickly grew into a successful product. That kind of innovation, compassion, and determination was present all throughout the room.
There was also a woman in attendance (whose name escapes me right now) who owned the building where the event was held. She shared that her life took a new direction after her son expressed that he never got to spend time with her. That moment inspired her to pursue entrepreneurship, which not only provides financial stability for her family but also gives her the flexibility to be more present in their lives.
The City of Chicago Treasurer, Melissa Conyears-Ervin, was also present and shared a word that truly encouraged me. She spoke about her upbringing on the West Side of Chicago, her journey through public schools, and the importance of making time for ourselves despite how demanding life can be. What stood out most was her humility and commitment to remaining connected to underserved communities, the communities she has always been a part of.
Being in a room full of Black women in genuine solidarity was something I won’t forget. We uplifted one another, encouraged one another, and created a space that felt safe, empowering, and full of opportunity. It made me reflect on how much we could accomplish if that same unity went beyond the walls of that room. Too often, we are conditioned to believe that success is limited. That for one of us to win, another must lose. This mindset, often rooted in poverty, can keep us competing instead of collaborating. It’s a way of thinking shaped by fear, limitation, and the belief that there is never enough. It can lead to hesitation, missed opportunities, and a focus on short-term survival rather than long-term growth. The poverty mindset literally keeps you in poverty. I believe this event stood out also because every woman who was honored for her work in the community shared a genuine passion for what they do. Their efforts are not driven by financial gain but by a sincere desire to make a difference and change lives. I commend each of these women, as their work is often done behind the scenes and without recognition, yet they remain committed and consistent in their purpose and they’re not tearing anybody down to succeed because there is room for all of us.
In this season of my life, God has been calling me to step outside of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. During the event, I had the opportunity to share about my assignment: The Empowered Mom Project. This vision was born from my own personal experiences and challenges as a mother. I firmly believe that no woman, no mother, should have to navigate her struggles alone. Being in that room at that time made me realize the passion I truly have for what I’m trying to accomplish through The Empowered Mom Project.
While my vision is big, I’ve found myself struggling when it comes to execution. One piece of advice that really resonated with me that night was simple but powerful: “Start small.” Begin with a few women, build intentionally, and allow it to grow from there. That confirmation reminded me that I don’t have to have everything figured out to begin; I just need to start. Which is also something that I’ve more recently found myself thinking about. I don’t want to make some decisions in my life because I don’t have all my “ducks in a row,” but waiting until your ducks are all in a row means that you’re waiting for the perfect conditions. However, one thing is certain: you can’t fully prepare for something you haven’t experienced yet.
I am passionate about motherhood, especially the mothers who step into the role without fully understanding it because of the mothers they didn’t have. I am passionate about mothers who have to figure things out, even when they’re unsure how. I am passionate about mothers who feel like they have more problems than solutions and those who can admit that motherhood isn’t what they thought it would be.I am passionate about the mothers who turn to Facebook for relief, seeking support because they just need a moment to breathe…a moment of clarity, rest, peace, and stillness. And even more, I carry a deep passion for the mothers who couldn’t hold on, who felt like motherhood was suffocating them, leaving them searching for air they couldn’t quite reach.
I am passionate about mothers walking into IEP meetings feeling like their child is being reduced to labels, acronyms, and behaviors. I am passionate about preventing the pain of mothers who experience the trauma of their child being harmed in someone else’s care, only to then be restricted to visitation because a court decided it was best, sometimes never seeing their child again. More than all of that, I am passionate about empowering moms because I’ve been in some of those places myself. It’s not easy, especially when you don’t feel fully equipped to handle it all…but when you have a tribe, a village, the road becomes a little smoother. I aspire to build that village one seed at a time.
I don’t know everything God has planned for me this year, but I do know this: my seatbelt is on, and my ears are open. I’m ready to move in obedience, even when the destination isn’t clear. Because when passion meets purpose, hesitation loses its power, and I’m ready to leap.