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What Black Motherhood Means To Me

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Dee Poku, Photographed by Dina Kantor

What does Black motherhood mean to you? The answer, of course, is as varied as the millions of individuals who identify as Black moms across the United States. To mark Black History Month (this year’s theme is The Black Family) and to honor these women and the vital and complex legacy of Black motherhood in the U.S., we asked moms coast to coast to answer the open-ended prompt, “What Black motherhood means to me…” From Brooklyn to Boston, Atlanta to California, this group of mothers sounded off in a variety of inspiring ways. While their answers are expectedly diverse, we think most can agree with Austin-based writer, poet, and mother Tiffany Rose Smith’s summation: “Black motherhood has always been and continues to be a beautifully divine, liberating, and revolutionary act.”

After reading these mothers’ touching ruminations, we encourage you to continue reading up on the brand-new Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, a 12-part package of legislation that looks to protect Black mothers now and for generations to come.

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  1. Harriett Charity says...

    I think there should be legislation that protects Black people exclusively because of all we have made and done for the USA. Not to mention, the struggle and ultimate sacrifices to all Black mother’s.

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