Mother Stories
At Home With “I Am Mama” Founder Kierra Henderson
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by DeAudrea Rich
Oct 21, 2020
Need a reason to smile today? Look no further than today’s profile on Kierra Henderson. The Virginia-dwelling mother and her four boys (!) not only have the most infectious grins, they also have a heartfelt story to match. When Kierra, along with the rest of the world, heard George Floyd call out for his mama, she decided to answer his heart wrenching plea in the best way she could—by founding I AM MAMA, a budding movement to inspire mothers of all ethnicities to work shoulder-to-shoulder to fight systemic racism and fill the world with justice and light.
Alongside her uplifting story—including Kierra’s beautiful memories of her own childhood and her grandmother’s strong influence—the busy mother also showcased her recently revamped kid’s room, filled with eco-friendly goodies by Pottery Barn Kids. This includes a new MidCentury Modern-style convertible crib for her 3-year-old David, a plush rug for baby Noah (6 months) to play on, and animal-themed bedding for her big boys (PJ, 7, and Joey, 5).
All of the pieces Kierra selected for her boys’ shared space were created with good-for-kids and good-for-the-environment materials and practices in mind. The crib is Greenguard Gold Certified and finished with child-safe, water-based finishes. Meanwhile, the crib sheets are made of 100% organic cotton that’s certified to GOTS standards, and the boys’ quilts are BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) certified, meaning the cotton fiber that is used to make them is grown following strict environmental principles. Get a look at it all while learning more about Kierra’s inspiring journey, below!
This post is brought to you by Mother + Pottery Barn Kids.
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Meet the—extra adorable—Hendersons!
From left to right: Noah, 6 months, mama Kierra, David, 3, PJ, 7, and Joey, 5.
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"We live in Sandston, Virginia, which is in the Greater Richmond area. We live in a classic brick rancher. We have lived here for 4 years. We have lots of elderly neighbors, and we love it. There are also lots of birds and squirrels around to watch from the windows."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Bear Plush, $24, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"My oldest three boys all share a bedroom, and my baby has a tiny space in my bedroom because we co-sleep. My oldest, PJ, wants to have all of his brothers in the same room, so why not? They have tons of fun in their bedroom. They call it the party room! I’ve seen multiple stuffed animals flying through the air at once and we hear very loud noises, including farting noises followed by roars of giggles coming from their room. The name party room is quite fitting."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"My vision was to decorate around things that my boys love—they adore color and they collectively enjoy different kinds of animals. I truly love eclectic spaces, so I wanted to include different things in the boys' room that speak to who they all are. I am also a huge fan of stripes, and a touch of black and white always makes a space feel intentional."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I absolutely love the PBK rug. It gives our hand-me-down, ultra-sturdy bunk bed a little facelift. It pulls the entire room together and gives it a fresh and cozy feel. It’s the perfect thing to walk barefoot on, or to snuggle with a few pillows and blankets to read a story."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"It’s comforting to know that my kids' furniture and bedding aren’t exposed to chemicals that they are bound to breathe in—especially while sleeping. My second boy has had bouts with asthma and allergies, so I always have my eyes open for possible irritants. I try my best to find ways to keep the air clean in their room. We use a lot of plants to clean the air. And bringing in clean products into their room adds to my peace of mind."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Bear Plush, $24, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Go for it! There are no rules about how many kids can share one space. When they are little it’s easy and they make tons of memories together in one room. When creating a shared space, find personal touches that are unique to each child so they can feel ownership in their room. It can be a shelf or table top for them to display their personal items, or a carefully placed special teddy bear. I think it’s important for anyone to have a strong sense of belonging in their home."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Bear Plush, $24, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"After every one has asks to use the bathroom 30 times, it's party time! We hear all sorts of noises coming from their rooms. Bedtime can also be fight time, or potty word and inside joke time. We are sure to put the boys in bed 30 minutes early to make sure they have a moment to 'brother' before it's lights out!"
west elm x pbk Bear Plush, $24, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Quilt, $189, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"PJ is 7. He is into people, art, and donuts. He also loves cooking. Joey is 5 and he's into building trains and drawing. David is 3 and he’s into literally everything, all day. He enjoys race cars, the color purple, his stuffed animal collection, and finding scissors. Noah is 6 months old, and he's into milk and bouncing."
Silly Safari Quilt, $189, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Paul Anthony: humble and worthy of praise. Joseph Andrew: God will add to, increase, courageous. David Alexander: beloved, defender of men. Noah Adriel—rest, comfort, follower of God."
Silly Safari Quilt, $189, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I had dreams of becoming a life-long career woman. I wanted to be single with no kids, work in government, live in the Washington D.C. metro area in a condo, and have two dogs. Major plot twist! I didn’t see this life coming, but I’m so glad I’m here. When I met my husband, Paul, one of the first things that I told him was that I was moving to D.C. He had to work fast because I was on the move. Shortly after, I fell in love with God, myself, and Paul. I had reached a turning point in my life. The more love overtook my heart, the more I realized that I had more love to give. I wanted that illustrious career for all of the wrong reasons. The truth was, I wanted to have a family that was different from how I grew up. I didn’t think it was possible, so I planned an alternative route. My grandma was a major influence in my life. She made a new life after her divorce and she prayed so many times that my path would be different. She told me over and over that I was a curse breaker. Me having this family is redemptive. I thought I was sacrificing my dreams, but my dreams started coming true in ways that I could have never planned or imagined. I still admire single women who are successful in their careers—and I still hold my own when I can—but now I can't imagine my life without all of my guys."
Book and Toy Ledge, $79, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I’m excited that our family is now complete! I feel like we are onto the next chapter of our lives, and I’m excited to hone in on my boys and enjoy this part of the journey where I can watch them all grow up."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I don’t want to mess my kids up. Like so many moms, I want to get it right. I try so hard, and I fail at many things. My only hope is that God’s grace will bridge the gap between my failures and what is truly right."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"Yes, we found out the sex in all of our pregnancies. We wanted three boys, and our fourth son was our attempt for a girl. We were shocked and excited at his ultrasound results. People ask me 'are you going to try for a girl?' My answer is 'we already did!' I am done and completely satisfied. To be honest, we have so many boys that I was wondering what to even do with a girl."
west elm x pbk Mid Century Crib, $599, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Mid-Century Toddler Bed Conversion Kit, $149, Pottery Barn Kids.
west elm x pbk Half Moon Organic Fitted Crib Sheet, $29, Pottery Barn Kids.
Silly Safari Pillow Sham, $36.50, Pottery Barn Kids.
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
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"I love that my four boys are best friends. I’m so glad that they are close in age and that they have each other. I love that they will grow to be world changers. I think every parent should be excited about the world changer within their child."
I AM MAMA Sweatshirt, $37, Bonfire.
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"I grew up in a single parent household and I spent a lot of time with my late grandmother. My grandma’s house was a refuge to me, and the happiest memories of my childhood were created at her house. We rode bikes, baked muffins, watched In the Heat Of the Night and Oprah, we jumped rope, ate watermelon on the picnic table, we did everything. My grandma would dress me in the cutest of dresses for church on Sundays. With my grandma, at her house was my favorite place to be. With everything that’s going on, I wish she was here so that I could go back and feel that feeling again. I hope my children feel the same about the home I’m creating for them."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
I AM LOVED and I AM MAMA Shirts and Onesie, $21-$37, Bonfire.
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"My grandmother always made me feel like I would conquer the world. When I had so many doubts, or was told what I wasn’t, she believed in me with everything in her and never placed limits on what I could be. I want the same for my children. I want them to live life with no self-imposed limits."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
I AM LOVED and I AM MAMA Shirts and Onesie, $21-$37, Bonfire.
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"I became a photographer when I became a mother. I simply wanted to document my children’s life in the most beautiful way possible. I hammered away at it until I could produce the photos that I saw in my head. Now I’m into using photography to tell stories. I always was a writer, even as a little girl I would jot down poems about nature, my feelings, or anything that sparked my imagination. When I first became a mom I had a job and later a business in writing. Nowadays, writing looks differently than it used to. I transitioned my writing business to project management to better suit my life. But I still write in spurts. I tell you, it sure would be nice to have a quiet afternoon to hear myself think so that I can get more words onto paper."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
I AM LOVED and I AM MAMA Shirts and Onesie, $21-$37, Bonfire.
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"The inspiration for I AM MAMA was from every mother who heard the cry of George Floyd but didn’t know what to do. The world needs the love that mothers are designed to bear. When we use our instinctive ability to love and nurture to fight evil and hatred, we’re a force to be reckoned with. One of my favorite quotes (by Matthew Arnold) is: 'If there ever comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known.' This is the inspiration behind I AM MAMA."
Brooklyn Rug, $399, Pottery Barn Kids.
I AM LOVED Onesie, $23, Bonfire.
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"I love the friendships that I've made from I AM MAMA. I have met so many beautiful women that I cherish deeply. We are truly united by our love. Also, seeing moms wear the I AM MAMA shirts was chilling. It's like the t-shirt is more than a shirt, it’s a declaration. I AM MAMA is a way of life and seeing moms wear the shirts lets me know that we are rallying together to change the world."
I AM LOVED Onesie, $23, Bonfire.
I AM MAMA Sweatshirt, $37, Bonfire.
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"As an introverted stay-at-home mom, I’ve been on lockdown for years—in March it became official! I was okay with the lockdown until I was ready to take my therapy shopping trips. Currently, my extroverted child is back to school in-person. He politely told me that he wouldn’t miss me but he still loves me, and I understand his sentiments completely. I decided to homeschool my kindergartener because of learning challenges. As for my city, we are able to resume most of our activities but with restrictions and mask mandates. It’s a different way to live but we will overcome this too."
I AM LOVED Onesie, $23, Bonfire.
I AM MAMA Sweatshirt, $37, Bonfire.
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"I have to give myself permission to not do all the things. The world won't end if somethings go undone, we just have to choose the most important things. Those things for me right now are joy, peace, and health. I could stress about homeschooling my kindergartener if I want to, but everyone in school right now is probably going to the 13th grade anyway—so it’ll all pan out in the end."
I AM LOVED and I AM MAMA Shirts and Onesie, $21-$37, Bonfire.
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"There’s a big world outside of the home, and there’s a world within it. When I get on social media or turn on the news to see what’s going on, I limit what I take in. If I consume too much, and do not guard my heart, I find myself enraged, annoyed, and exhausted. I need to be clear minded for the world changers that I’m raising inside of my home. The facts themselves can be hard to bear, and the opinions surrounding them—whether I agree or disagree—can sway me from staying the course. I have to constantly remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. As much as I can, I shut out the noise and stay locked in on the vision and strategies of ending systemic racism and connecting people through love."
I AM LOVED and I AM MAMA Shirts and Onesie, $21-$37, Bonfire.
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"The world is crying out for true love right now, can you find a way to show it? Join me in the I AM MAMA movement with mamas who are using what’s already in them to change their worlds."
Keep following along with Kierra and her family on Instagram at @heybelovedmama and find out more about I AM MAMA here.
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