Meet our Creator
Life has been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster since I’ve become a mother. Although the birth of my precious baby girl was planned, nothing about that plan happened as expected.
In June 2019, I found out I was pregnant. My first was to be born February 17, 2020. I was going to be a mom.
On January 29, 2020, my husband was in Texas for work scheduled to come home February 2, 2020 and stay until baby girl was born. My pregnancy had been “normal” and I was healthy as could be; so imagine our surprise when a routine doctor’s visit lead to me having to be induced because of preeclampsia.
The best advice I received while I was pregnant, and I carry it with me to this day, was to stop trying to plan everything; somethings you just have to take it one day at a time. Don’t get upset when your plans don’t go as planned, take it in stride; it will always work itself out.
My husband caught the first flight back and made it just in time to be there for the birth of Ema’ry Isa Rose on January 31, 2020.
36 hours of active labor and 5 hours of pushing… I became a Black Mom.
A friend recommended that I write my unborn child letters of my experiences and feelings while I carried her. It was extremely therapeutic and I continue to write letters to my baby girl as I watch her grow. One day when she’s able to receive it, I’ll share it.
What I found through journaling was that I really wanted to reflect and see if my thoughts and feelings were valid. I was looking for a way to connect to someone or something that could relate to me, not just as a mother, but as a black mother.
Black Mothers have unique experiences and it’s not just because of the 2020 Civil Rights Movement… our unique experiences as black mothers has been prevalent for more than 400 years, when our ancestors were bought to America in bondage.
We birthed a nation and for centuries have carried it on our backs; with the expectation that because we are strong, we are ok. That journey is lonely. Sometime we are not ok, and that’s ok.
So, I created this space in hopes to connect with and connect others with black moms through shared experiences. A place where you can validate your feelings and know you are not alone!
Please share and let’s validate each others thoughts and feelings, it matters.
Welcome to the Black Mom Diary.
Felicia Harris-Williams is a mom, wife and entrepreneur. Felicia has lived and worked in New York City, the District of Columbia and Philadelphia, working with various businesses and nonprofit organizations to strengthen their impact across the region through organizational development, brand strategy, and marketing. She is Principal of HiTouch Enterprises, a full service Marketing and Brand Development Firm; founder of The Gynger Tea House; President of the Influencing Action Movement and Deacon at Salem Baptist Church. She holds a BBA in Marketing from Howard University and M.Ed in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University.