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Role Mamas

Some of our favorite Black women on how they became mothers, wives, entrepreneurs, corporate ladder sprinters, & more.

New York City, New York

Combining and fusing worlds isn't just the modus operandi of modern working mothers everywhere; it's the subject of “BLEED,” the residency Alicia Hall Moran and her husband, jazz pianist Jason Moran held for five days at The Whitney Museum in May. The Broadway singer/actress and mother to four-year-old twins Jonas and Malcolm spoke to mater mea about how she juggles her two roles of a lifetime.

Berlin, Germany

Running with the bulls in Spain, dancing in discotheques in Berlin... travel and excitement were Nicole Blake's two biggest priorities as a young American expat living and loving abroad. But when she was suddenly struck with a strong desire to become a mother, it all came down to one: her daughter Arianna. The blogger behind the popular travel blog Nicole is the New Black shares how she's raising her German-born daughter as an American abroad.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Candace Matthews considers herself abundantly blessed. From getting into one of the best business schools in the country to becoming a Fortune 500 company’s division general manager by the time she was 50, Matthews hit every one of her personal milestones with a seeming ease. Every one that is, except becoming a wife and mother. Matthews spoke with mater mea about her path to motherhood and offers need-to-know tips on how to succeed in the business world.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Running a home with four men (three of the shorter variety) while managing your own business isn’t an easy feat. But when you’re doing what you love, and have the support of a loving partner, it’s definitely worth it, says fashion photographer Hannan Saleh. Saleh, captured with the help of her husband, scenic artist Calvin Batts, spoke with mater mea about her uncompromising path to becoming a photographer with fans in both the fashion and music worlds, while raising three precocious boys.

Brooklyn, New York

Thirty-seven weeks and two days. That’s how far along educator Takiema Bunche-Smith was in her pregnancy when her midwife told her she couldn’t find her son’s heartbeat. Bunche-Smith, 39, shares how she rallied from the devastating loss of her firstborn Nazir, and how she’s using her experiences to raise her 7-year-old son Na’im and teach the next generation of learners.

New Rochelle, New York

Proper etiquette doesn't hold as much social currency these days as it probably should. (All it takes is a cursory glance at any of the reality shows that pass as must-see TV these days to know as much.) But Inga Watkins is doing her part to restore good graces to the next generation of young adults—and those of us who want to know how to place a proper plate setting—through her company Modelquette. Watkins tells mater mea how she turned a lifelong passion for etiquette into a successful business.