mother’s day
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In the Face of the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis, This Doula Is Providing Expectant Mothers With the Support and Care They Desperately Deserve
The story has to be told in such a way where we’re not making people lose hope. text The specific “story” Chanel Porchia-Albert is referring to is that of the black maternal mortality crisis. She knows all about the daunting statistics surrounding black motherhood as a mother of six and the CEO of Ancient Song…
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Lorraine Toussaint: ‘Motherhood Is the Greatest Part of My Life’
Lorraine Toussaint is an actor, writer and producer. But being a mother is a responsibility that is unmatched. “Motherhood is … it is the greatest part of my life,” Toussaint said. The star of NBC’s The Village is the mother of a teenage daughter, Samara, a person for whom the actor’s love is indescribable. “My…
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For Essence's Mother's Day Issue, Diddy and Family Pay Tribute to Kim Porter
“Puffy, take care of my babies.” Sean “Diddy” Combs tells Essence that longtime love Kim Porter said those words three days before her sudden death from pneumonia last November, after sending her children to Combs while she recovered from what all believed was the flu. In 2006, the then-couple romantically posed for Essence’s cover; now,…
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The Edge of 17: For Ahkeem Is a Coming-of-Age Story in the Age of Ferguson
Fun fact: I was expelled from preschool at age 4 during a brief stint when my mother and I had moved to Dallas. From the little I recall, I was one of very few black students at my private day school. My expulsion came after I defended myself against another little girl—not black—who’d been harassing…
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My Mother’s Daughter, a Multigenerational Talk About Motherhood, Part 5: Rasheedah
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. This final installment is the conclusion—and also the beginning—of their stories. …
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The Glow Up Anthem of the Week: Prince’s ‘I Wish U Heaven’
You didn’t think we forgot, did you? Admittedly, it’s been a busy week here at The Glow Up, with the GLAAD Awards, a lingerie line from Rihanna and the questionable Catholic imagination of the Met Gala (oh my!). Frankly, we’re ready to slow it down for the weekend, so we thought we’d start by going…
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This Dancer Gave Birth Weeks Before Performing in Beyoncé’s Historic Coachella Set. This Is How She Snapped Back
Dnay Baptiste has an impressive work résumé. The New York native has performed with big names like N.E.R.D and Jennifer Lopez—oh, and she’s been one of Beyoncé’s principal dancers for over five years. Baptiste, 30, has danced in some of Beyoncé’s most memorable performances, including the 2017 Grammys, where Bey beautifully revealed her second pregnancy.…
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This Mother’s Day Will Be Different
Editor’s note: It’s very important for me to mention that I have two mothers. I was largely raised by my black mother, but my white mother was ever present in my life and obviously had a significant hand in shaping who I am as a person. God saw fit to gift me with two 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…