Parenting for Liberation

Type A. Alpha. #BlackExcellence. Goal Getter. These identities are often desired and celebrated in Black culture. Many of us in our liberated parenting community identify as these on some level. We also encourage our children to drive for greatness as well. At times, however, this drive can include achievement’s problematic twin: Perfectionism.In this episode, Trina Greene and Ivory Parnell-Chambeshi discuss the ways that perfectionism shows up in our children and ourselves. They discuss typical perfectionist behaviors, how they affect our well-being, as well as, the origins, which are found in Black people’s oppression and effort to survive. The co-hosts also share their experiences dealing with perfectionism, how they see it in their children and ways they try to pounce on perfectionism!This episode is presented with audio and video option! So listen in or see us In Living Color! Feel free to comment about your own journey with perfectionism below or email us as podcast@parentingforliberation.org.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, a heavy topic but one that needs to be addressed especially in the Black community. Trina Greene is joined by Ebony Williams—a Black queer mother, trauma therapist, and founder of Cactus and Bloom. Together, they unpack the heavy but vital topic of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Black communities.This conversation explores how historical trauma, racialized sexual violence, and silence have shaped Black parenting experiences—and how survivor parents can break intergenerational cycles of harm. They also discuss culturally grounded tools, survivor-informed care, and community accountability outside the criminal justice system In this deeply moving and educational episode.

On this episode, Trina is an invited guest on a special live episode of the Let's End Domestic Violence podcast to discuss the impacts of domestic violence in the Black community and the policies needed to prevent it. Also participating in the conversation are Kelli Dillon (City of Oakland, Office of Violence Prevention), Eric Morrison-Smith (Alliance for Boys and Men of Color), and Karen Earl (Jenesse Center) and host Bonnie Boswell. Resources: www.letsenddv.org/podcast/episode-04

On this episode, Trina has an open conversation with her son, Terrence Hayes Jr., about his experience growing up as a child with a fearful mother, navigating high-alert situations at school, and figuring out how to strike a balance between having what's needed to survive while being able to have the space to live and be free. Terrence is a 13-year-old Black boy centering joy. He's an up & coming student-athlete, with a 3.8 GPA, who loves baseball. His favorite player is Jackie Robinson. When not on the field, he spends his time with family, his 3 pet dogs, and gaming with friends.

Trina Greene Brown talks with Claudia Walker, author of The ABCs of HBCUs, about the legacy and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The ABCs of HBCUs takes readers on a front-row, all-inclusive tour of Historically Black Colleges & Universities. The first ABC board book dedicated to HBCUs, children quickly recognize that "A" isn't always for "apple." From FAMU to Howard, the Divine Nine to Battle of the Bands, children learn about the love, lifestyles, and legacies that built these incredible institutions. Hbcuprepschool.com Claudia Walker is an Oakland-based author, speaker, and teacher whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Essence, and Vogue. As a proud second-generation HBCU graduate, her debut book, The ABCs of HBCUs, is inspired by her undergraduate experiences at Spelman College. Deeply committed to showcasing and celebrating stories that mainstream publications tend to overlook, Claudia launched HBCU Prep School, a publishing company that centers on Black voices and Black joy in children’s books.

This Women's History Month, P4L honors the radical power of Black mothers with Anna Malaika Tubbs author of The Three Mothers which celebrates Black motherhood by telling the story of the women who raised and shaped three of America’s most pivotal heroes: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Keep up with Anna, IG: @annastea_honesty Twitter: @annas_tea_ Website: annamalaikatubbs.com. Buy your copy The Three Mothers at https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/three-mothers/

Trina is interviewed by Sara Gallagher of Fierce Womxn Writing about being writer and publishing her new book "Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children." Learn more about Trina's writing experience and a prompt for you to reflect in writing.  http://www.fiercewomxnwriting.com/podcast/trina-greene-brown-author-of-parenting-for-liberation-a-guide-for-raising-black-children/

Check out this episode with Mariah Rankine-Landers as we discusses ways to hold our children through the collective crisis and grief. Mariah shares more about her article which highlights strategies to talk to our children about COVID and grief.   https://medium.com/@Mariah510/ways-to-hold-our-children-through-collective-crisis-and-grief-bb2c712930f3

This episode is a podcast within a podcast, Parenting for Liberation founder, Trina Greene Brown, was interviewed by Cindy Wang Brandt of Parenting Forward and Leslie Arreola Hillenbrand of Latinx Parenting to discuss "parenting de-centering whiteness." Trina shared about Parenting for Liberation and the work to bring parents together to look at the ways the systems have oppressed us historically and current ongoing oppression, and how can we heal them. We also discuss parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.

Parenting for Liberation hosted a private screening of Harriet, where over 50 Black parents and children witnessed Harriet’s enduring courage, ingenuity and tenacity to not only free herself but over one thousand enslaved Africans. The film was an inspiration for attendees to watch a small but mighty Cynthia Erivo as Harriet, wield her power--spiritual, legal, physical, and political political---against white supremacy for the sake of her own and her people’s liberation. Following the film, Parenting for Liberation hosted a talk back with families, using quotes from the film to guide discussions pushing past fear, black sisterhood, parenting fear Black children, and legacy-building.

In this episode, Parenting for Liberation spoke with Melissa Franklin and Brandi Sims of First 5 LA, a public agency focused on the safe and healthy development of young children. They both joined to talk about a current epidemic of Black mothers who are largely exposed to racial bias from health care professionals during childbirth. The episode delves deeper into issues of Black maternal and infant health, with each of the Black women sharing their own personal experience with maternal health ranging from miscarriage to preterm birth and how our own traumatic experience fueled our collective passions to make a change in society related to issues of maternal health.  Key topics in this episode include:  How racial disparities are directly correlated to maternal mortality rates as the CDC reports that black women are 3.3 times were likely than white women to suffer a pregnancy-related death.  How common notions regarding factors such as age, income, and education being related to Black mothers experiencing birthing challenges are false.  How the attitudes and behaviors of health care professionals towards Black mothers largely impact the lives of both Black mothers and their babies.  How organizations such as National Birth Equity Collaborative, and the group Black Mamas Matter Alliance are educating the public to tackle racial disparities and institutional racism in the public health aspect.  The impact California State Senator Holly Mitchell has made pertaining to Black maternal health.  How racial disparities in maternal deaths is impacting the country on a national scale with involvement from the California Department of Public, politicians and lawmakers across the nations.  Ways in which California’s governor, Newsom is implementing change for a successful and healthy life for Black babies, mothers, and families overall.  Various forms of solutions such as Doulas to address racial disparities in maternal health and newborn health as well as programs such as Home Visitation and how it can benefit Black mothers and families.

In this episode with Natalie Pipkin, founder of Black World Schoolers, she told the stories behind the research data that shows that African Americans are increasingly pulling their Black children out of schools and deciding to homeschool for a variety of reasons. Natalie shares her own personal experience with racism as a school age child, and how when her own children began experiencing it--she went into protection and fear-based parenting mode. Natalie and her husband decided it was time to stop fighting for their children to be accepted in “in the classroom but left out of the curriculum” and after fours years at a private classical education institution, Natalie decided to shift to what she calls Black World Schooling. “We believe centering the wisdom, truth, experiences, achievements, and beauty of Africans and those throughout the African Diaspora can have a unbelievably powerful impact on black children around the globe. We invite you to join us on this journey of self love, cultural appreciation, and black liberation.” -- Black WorldSchoolers The discussion also covers some juicy themes such as: *Classical education as the breeding ground of white supremacy *Both the privilege and sacrifice of choosing to send Black children to school or to home school *Distinctions between homeschooling and world schooling *Strategies for in- school parents to engage in homeschooling practices Thank you Natalie for reminding us that our ancestors have always homeschooled and educated our children. As Black parents we are always teaching and educating them on their history, how to love themselves, and how to navigate being Black. So regardless of whether our children go to school or stay at home, we as Black parents are always their first and consistent teacher--always guiding them back to themselves with love and affirmation. Blog: https://blackbeautifulandtrue.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/black-worldschoolers%EF%B8%8F-its-more-than-travel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_world_schoolers/

In honor of Mama’s Day and to raise awareness of the Mama’s Day Bailout initiative, Parenting for Liberation spoke with Tiara Moore and mother of 5, an activist, and mama who was bailed out by the Black Mama Day Bailout initiative. In our conversation, Tiara reflects on her experience with the criminal INjustice system, how she was arrested for defending herself, the fear tactics used and unlawful means of detainment that lead to so many Black folks taking plea deals, how Black Mama Bail Out came to her rescue, and how she used her experiences to help formerly incarcerated folks connect to resources and opportunities. Visit www.NationalBailout.com to donate to help #FreeBlackMamas like Tiara Moore for Mother's Day and beyond!