black mothers
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My Mother’s Daughter, a Multigenerational Talk About Motherhood, Part 3: Moji
Editor’s note: This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, The Glow Up interviewed four generations of mothers within a single Harlem family that recently welcomed its fifth generation. We’ve asked these mothers, ages 19 to 83, the same 12 questions about motherhood, daughterhood and matriarchy. These are their stories. Full disclosure: Moji Alawode-El and I have…
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You’ve Got 3 Days Left to Make Your Mama Happy; Here Are 9 Suggestions
This is an incredible gift on so many levels—coming from the shea producer in the village to the small-business owner who manufactures products for the local market so it’s ready for your mom’s hair this Mother’s Day. Hair butter, $18. Every mom is secretly a superhero—she just needs a cape (tights are optional when your…
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My Mother’s Daughter, a Multigenerational Talk About Motherhood, Part 2: Lemuria
Editor’s note: This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, The Glow Up interviewed four generations of mothers within a single Harlem family that recently welcomed its fifth generation. We’ve asked these mothers, ages 19 to 83, the same 12 questions about motherhood, daughterhood and matriarchy. These are their stories. I first met Lemuria Alawode-El in 1994…
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My Mother’s Daughter, a Multigenerational Talk About Motherhood, Part 1: Zaiane
Editor’s note: This year, to celebrate Mother’s Day, The Glow Up interviewed four generations of mothers within a single Harlem family that recently welcomed its fifth generation. We’ve asked these mothers, ages 19 to 83, the same 12 questions about motherhood, daughterhood and matriarchy. These are their stories. A few weeks ago, I found myself…
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Black Mamas Work: 6 Career-Driven Moms Share Their Messy Lessons, Wins and Fears of Raising Black Kids
Part of being a mother is accepting that you have to be a list of things your children are in constant need of: a counselor, a doctor, a cheerleader, a coach, a manager, a Band-Aid … the list goes on. The job is endless and often, thankless. But a mother’s job is often not just…
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Red Table Talk: Jada Pinkett Smith Starts a Multigenerational Dialogue
Just in time for Mother’s Day, one of Hollywood’s most famous moms is inviting us to her table—the red table, that is—for Red Table Talk, a new Facebook series created and hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, featuring her 17-year-old daughter, Willow, and mom, Adrienne Banfield-Norris. “Motherhood and everything that comes with it is our red-hot…
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‘The Universe Do Need Me’: Cardi B Drops Pearls on Pregnancy With Vogue and Lashes Out With Kiss
“It’s just exciting, all the time. All the time, it’s like, ‘Oh, I want ice cream cake!’” Cardi B’s not talking about celebrating her meteoric rise; she’s talking about her growing Bodak baby, who apparently is as demanding and energetic as its mama. The rap phenom attended the Met Gala red carpet in a 30-pound…
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Watch: Patti LaBelle Is Everyone’s Favorite Mom
There’s something about Mrs. Wayne from A Different World. She was a black mother personified: Adele Wayne would put you in check, was protective of her kin (Chipmunk!), witty and intelligent, and boy, could Mrs. Wayne cook. In her role as Adele Wayne, Patti LaBelle did that. Over the decades, the legendary singer has played…
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The Gap Gets It: In Its New Campaign, the Retailer Takes the Taboo Out of Breast-Feeding
If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to fall (back) into the Gap. The American-based worldwide clothing-and-accessories retailer, long known for its diverse casting and fresh, fashion-forward campaigns featuring basics like jeans, khakis and tees, just gave us another reason to love it with a sweet and subtle nod to breast-feeding moms.…
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The Criticism of Jacob Copeland’s Mom Is Unfair (and a Tiny Bit Racist, Too)
The entire spectacle of national signing day is an exercise in absurdity. It’s absurd that major-conference college football is such a behemoth that the decisions made by 17- and 18-year-olds are nationally televised events with press conferences, pep rallies and parades. It’s absurd that these decisions matter enough to create (and end) jobs and shift…


