Free Black Motherhood

Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez

Free Black Motherhood is a space where Black mothers are more than validated — they're liberated. We invite mothers to challenge everything they've been told about how to mother, develop their own personal theory of motherhood, and explore strategies that actually work for them and their family. You are not guilty for putting your needs first. You are not failing tradition — you are challenging a system built on discriminatory, racist, sacrificial motherhood. You get to do this your way.

  1. May 22

    (FBM Podcast) Even if you don't know your ancestors, they know you. Ft Stephanie Ghoston Paul

    It's overwhelming to exist in this time, when the line between access and disparity feels both so thin and so wide. But we’re all asking the same question: Can we craft something for us NOW that doesn’t have compounding harm for the folks who will be here THEN? And who will carry the weight of that inconvenience and harm?This conversation with my girl, Stephanie Ghoston Paul (@stephanieghostonpaul on IG), feels like a step forward in those explorations. She is the founder of Cultivated Sense, a platform dedicated to practicing what it means to be a Living Ancestor is beyond brilliant. She is a living, breathing wise woman who is preparing us to do the work NOW so we’re mindful about the inheritance we will leave behindChapters00:00 The Excitement of Capturing Conversations04:11 The Journey of a Living Ancestor07:19 Understanding Multi-Hyphenates and Identity09:57 The Role of Motherhood in Shaping Legacy13:21 The Importance of Remembering Our Past16:08 Legacy and Inheritance: A Living Ancestor's Perspective19:03 The Balance of Acceptance and Accountability22:10 The Power of Freedom, Wholeness, and Enoughness37:42 The Journey of Motherhood and Affirmations40:57 Living Ancestors and Intergenerational Wisdom43:47 Reparenting and the Role of Affirmations47:17 The Complex Dynamics of Grandparenting52:40 Redefining Family Roles and Relationships57:56 Therapy, Healing, and Generational Patterns01:02:50 Navigating Mother-Daughter Relationships01:08:21 Dreaming into the Future and Documenting Existence Learn more about Stephanie: WATCH. HER. TED. TALK https://stephanieghoston.com/ Follow her IG: @Cultivated Sense Explore her Patreon Check out her LinkedIn Listen to her Podcast: Take Nothing When I Die

    1h 13m
  2. Apr 26

    Am I a controlling Black mama? Or am I just traumatized? Ft Tisheila Justice

    This episode dives deep into the intersection of mental health, motherhood, and Black identity. Featuring licensed clinical social worker Tisheila Justice, we explore how external environments, internal trauma, and societal stereotypes shape Black mothers’ experiences and the importance of shifting from policies of control to practices of connection. In this episode: Tisheila Justice shares the 'iceberg of control' and how it manifests in Black motherhoodThe role of external systemic pressures versus internal belief systems in shaping behaviorsPractical strategies for shifting from me-focused to we-focused family dynamicsThe impact of intergenerational trauma and how it manifests in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxietyThe importance of attunement and emotional connection in parenting and partner supportThe significance of community, support systems, and the redefinition of Free Black MotherhoodResources What is EMDR Therapy?What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?Her InstagramHer WebsiteTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Tisheila Justice and her journey02:07 - How a psychology class shifted her career path to social work04:49 - The systemic disarray she perceives in mental health and social justice07:57 - Tools and modalities used in helping moms adapt to external stressors09:23 - How trauma and birth experiences influence postpartum mental health10:50 - Supporting fathers and couples through emotional focused therapy13:46 - The iceberg of control and how underlying fears shape behaviors16:43 - The social invisibility of Black pain in healthcare settings18:46 - Brittany Cooper’s concept of culture of dissemblance as resilience26:40 - The societal expectations placed on Black mothers and the illusion of control32:59 - Motherhood as a system of institutional control and resistance36:09 - Merging the 'me' and 'we' family concepts for healthier relationships43:33 - Addressing insecure attachment styles and their impact on support networks54:24 - Recognizing OCD and intrusive thoughts in postpartum women63:54 - The influence of past trauma and its manifestation in obsessive thoughts66:27 - How childhood fears translate into adult anxieties and compulsions70:40 - The idea that traumatic triggers are often the starting point for OCD74:39 - The cycle of mental health cycles and the need for compassionate awareness78:36 - What free Black motherhood means: joy, connection, and authenticity Resources & Links:Connect with Tisheila Justice:Additional notes:This conversation underscores the importance of understanding the layered and systemic challenges Black mothers face, emphasizing a shift from control to connection. It invites a re-examination of cultural narratives and encourages healing through attunement, community, and trauma acknowledgment.

    1h 21m
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Free Black Motherhood is a space where Black mothers are more than validated — they're liberated. We invite mothers to challenge everything they've been told about how to mother, develop their own personal theory of motherhood, and explore strategies that actually work for them and their family. You are not guilty for putting your needs first. You are not failing tradition — you are challenging a system built on discriminatory, racist, sacrificial motherhood. You get to do this your way.