August 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month: Nzinga Speller

August is designated Breastfeeding awareness month.  So, we thought it would be appropriate to have someone we know who is on the path of working with Mothers and Children and promotes Breastfeeding all of the time.  Nzinga Speller a.k.a. Mama Nzinga is someone who Vanessa and I look up to even though *ahem* she is younger than us.  She has more passion about maternal-child health than most well-knowledgeable professionals we know.  Her path is made of gold with her Zen energy and vibrant spirit.  It is our pleasure to introduce to you...

Name

Nzinga Speller

Profession

Academic Director & Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Child & Age

Sundiata Muhammad age 5

How long did you breastfeed?

We breastfed until he was a month or two past 2yrs old.

How did you know to breastfeed?

That’s what my mother did and what nature provided me.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience. 

My breastfeeding experience was awesome!

How were you inspired by your breastfeeding experience? 

It really showed me that we have all that we need to be excellent. I truly respect and honor my body more and its ability to do some amazing things.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome during your breastfeeding experience? 

Just the initial adjustment to nursing. The slight discomfort of not being used to having my nipples sucked for sustenance. Oooh, and clogged milk ducts……not cool at all! But nothing that was not to be expected and easily overcome.

How do you think being a Mother of Color effects your breastfeeding experience? 

It has a huge impact on my experience, mainly because it is resurfacing within my communities, that it is okay to bond with and nurse your child from your very own breast. Every time another woman or young girl saw me breastfeeding my son, if they had not seen it before, they had now been exposed to a new reality, a new possibility. It was my chance to affect change in the mindsets of sooo many women of color that we do breastfeed our children and with absolutely no shame.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community? 

I love to share information! I am always speaking with women about pregnancy, birth, and child rearing. Also, sharing the benefits of breastfeeding and the stories of myself and other women of color’s successes. I strongly believe that we have to begin to encourage and inspire our communities long before the women and girls become pregnant. That way, when the wonderful journey of bringing forth and raising a life begins, whether or not she will breastfeed is not even a question.

Nzinga Speller is a twenty-nine year young mother of one spectacular 5 yrs young son who lives in Chicago!  She is an educator and is forever a student.  She believes in the genius of every child and works to bring as much of it forth as possible.  Nzinga is a breastfeeding peer counselor whose mission is to get that mom to, “Put that baby on the breast and let nature do the rest (with a little help from me if needed)!”  Her journey is to become a Doula, Birth Educator, and a Certified Professional Midwife.  Nzinga is also a dancer, martial artist, art lover, bookworm, dreamer, natural hair enthusiast and stylist, motivator, science geek, and lover of life.  

May 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month: Rita "Mu Shemsu-t" Stewart

Since May is the month of honoring Mothers and the Maternal figures in our lives we decided a great Mom to honor as May 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month would be a very special "Mom" to us here at The Abiyamo Omo Society, Rita "Mu Shemsu-t" Stewart.  She has been our guiding force and strong advocate throughout our journey and, of course, she is a huge breastfeeding advocate.  We thank her for her love, advice, guidance and embrace of our work and organization. She is not only a blessing in our lives but the lives of so many as a Life Coach and community activist.  Read her story and you'll be surrounded by inspiration.

Name

Rita "Mu Shemsu-t" Stewart

Profession

Executive Life Coach - Owner Master Force, Inc - Specializing in Leadership and Community Education

Your children and their ages

Rute' 34, Tia 28 and Zekur 16

How long did you breastfeed?  

I breastfed the youngest child until he was 2.5, the  oldest until he was 14 months and my daughter until she was 18 months.

How did you know to breastfeed? 

I lived in LeMars, Iowa when my older two children were born.  During my prenatal care I was introduced to an organization called La Leche League.  They provided information on what I needed to nurture my breast while I was pregnant and then later coming to the hospital and my home supporting me with lactation.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience. 

Breastfeeding was an instinctive choice for me because I wanted to provide my children with the best possible immune system as well as insure they didn't struggle with obesity which was a huge issue in my family.  I used breastfeeding as a time for me to bond with my children while at the same time practicing breathing and relaxation for myself.   My older two children did not use bottles or pacifiers, while my youngest only took one bottle a day when I returned to work when he was 3 months old.  At the time, his father was an at-home-Dad for the first 3 years of his life.

How were you inspired by your breastfeeding experience? 

I am still inspired by my breastfeeding experience because, for the most part, my children have stayed healthy their entire life.  We had no emergency room experiences when they were growing up because their immune systems were high.  We also did not do vaccinations for them either.  They were raised as vegetarians with all of them having about 5% body fat to contend with.  They are physically beautiful and healthy.  And all three (3) of my grandchildren have also been breastfed by their mothers.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome during your breastfeeding experience?  

The obstacles that I had to overcome mainly tended to be with my Chicago family when I came home to visit.  There were always people teasing me whether it was with my family or from observers in public.  LeMars was a child friendly community where breastfeeding was part of the norm, so I became rather comfortable whipping out my breast anywhere to nurse my children.  When I would visit Chicago there was always a bit of a to-do with folks asking me to step into another room or turn away.  But I didn't let that deter me very much.  I would throw a blanket over my shoulder and keep nursing.  However, I became very aware that the culture of family and children was not incorporated into the mainstream thinkers in Chicago.

How do you think being a Mother of Color effects your breastfeeding experience? 

Medical school teaches from the prospective that most patients are of Caucasian matter, therefore very little is studied or applied to the existence of melanin in our bodies.  Subsequently, the darker you are the more melanin you possess.  A lot of the medication and vaccines given to our children run counter to the melanin we have in our bodies causing many adverse affects.  This is now part of the genocide we are experiencing in our communities.  It therefore becomes my responsibility to be very authoritative about the well being of myself, my children and my family because Western Medicine is not designed to forward our wellness.  Breastfeeding then becomes the first approach to implementing this theory, the second is high quality nutrition and water.  As mothers we must get back to the establishment of well being in the home.  We are the first ones to loose in the battle of life, just like the depiction in the movies.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community?  

I inspire others from the mini blogging that I do on my Facebook page.  I also teach a class called, "The Spiritual Path of Parenting" which discussions many of the practices I spoke of above.  In my own family, I have advocated breastfeeding consistently and many of the mothers did choose to do so even if were only for the first 6 months.  I will do more with this as time moves on.

Rita "Mu Shemsu-t" Stewart lives in Chicago but works with people all over the world as a Life Coach.  Her passion is working with teenagers and healing communities through meditation, workshops and motivational speeches.  Mu Shemsu-t has a blog radio show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mushemsut and an eBook called "Patiently Waiting for Nothing".  You can also follow her on Twitter @mushemsut.

March 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month: Chanel Grayson-Strong

Yes, it is March and we are so happy to introduce to you our MARCH BREASTFEEDING MOTHER OF COLOR OF THE MONTH!  She is another mother of multiples and we chose her because she is still breastfeeding while teaching full-time.  Many times we hear how difficult it is to pump working as an educator especially in public schools where your time is constantly demanded.  Chanel Grayson-Strong still finds the time and energy to work through all of that and provide her twins with enough breastmilk everyday.  She has a very stressful job and runs home to nurse and cuddle with them.  We salute Chanel in her breastfeeding endeavors and thank her for her dedication to providing her babies the nourishment they need.  Let's give a round of applause to...

Name  Chanel Grayson-Strong

Profession  High School Teacher

Children & Ages  Boy/Girl Twins (7 months)

How long have you been breastfeeding?  7 months and still going STRONG!!

How did you know to breastfeed?  I family and friends that breastfed and insisted that I did as well.  I was explained the benefits by my doctors, family members, and friends.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience.  My overall breastfeeding experience has been positive.  I set realistic expectations and I knew that it was an experience with benefits for both myself and my children that I wanted to provide.

How are you inspired by your breastfeeding experience?  I always knew that I wanted to breastfeed.  I was really adamant about it.  When I make up my mind that I want to do something because it’s most beneficial for my family’s well being, I stop at nothing until it is accomplished.  So even though I was met with some breastfeeding challenges early on, I enlisted the help of two lactation specialists, a host of friends that breastfeed, and I made a schedule, got into a routine, positioned the babies so that we were all comfortable, and just set my mind to do it.  It has been a wonderful bonding experience for us all.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome during your breastfeeding experience?   Yes, in the very beginning, my son had issues with latching, sucking, and reflux.  Also, my milk did not fully come in until 10 days after delivery.  This was my biggest challenge, but with a little patience and persistence, everything worked out and both babies are avid nursers.

How do you think being a Mother of Color affects your breastfeeding experience?   I think that most people don’t expect to see a mother of color breastfeeding.  People automatically assume that you will give your baby formula.  Especially in my case, since I had two, but I knew a mother who exclusively breastfeed her twins, so I knew that it was possible and I wanted to do it.  On the flip side, I know that women of color all around the world, especially in third world countries, have no other options but to breastfeed so it really shouldn’t be a stigma that is placed based on race.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community?   First, I always ask and respect a mother’s choice.  I share the advantages/benefits of breastfeeding and my own personal experience.  I always give breastfeeding gifts at baby showers, such as a nursing pillow and mother’s milk tea.

Chanel Grayson-Strong lives in Chicago with her very supportive husband and their STRONG 7 month old twins.  She is a very passionate high school English teacher that finds time to pump enough milk for her babies while educating inner-city teenagers.  Chanel is a graduate of the University of Iowa and received her Master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

February 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month: Elita Kalma

We are so excited to have one of our closest lactavist friends as our February Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month, Elita Kalma.  Elita is very influential in the breastfeeding/lactavist world, especially among us Black Mommies.  Her nationally known and followed blog, Blacktating inspires so many women across racial and cultural lines.  For many of us, she has given us a voice and a social media outlet to express our concerns, questions, thoughts and loves.  The Abiyamo Omo Society is so happy to announce Elita as our BMOCOTM for February because this is the month Black skin is highlighted and our culture is celebrated.  She is the perfect person to applaud this month.  So, without further ado we honor you, Elita, for your strength, voice and passion in the world of maternal-child health. We thank you.

Name: Elita Kalma

Profession: Librarian

Children & Ages: Miles, 4 & Aminah, 4 months

How long did/are you breastfeed(ing)? Miles was breastfed for 3 years and Aminah is still happily nursing.

How did you know to breastfeed? My mom breastfed me until I was about 18 months old so I always knew if I had children that I would breastfeed them.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience. Both of my kids were tongue-tied so breastfeeding was very tough in the beginning. With Miles, my pediatrician said his frenulum looked “a little tight” but that it was “no big deal.” I suffered through sore nipples, poor milk transfer and slow weight gain and no one ever told me the “slightly tight frenulum” might be to blame. Somehow we managed but Miles had to nurse every hour on the hour in order to get enough milk and keep my supply up. I tried to wean him as gently and slowly as possible but when I knew I wanted to try for another baby I just weaned him cold turkey on his 3^rd birthday (we were down to about once a week at that point anyway) and I got pregnant with Aminah a few weeks later. Her tongue tie was noticed and clipped right away and we’ve enjoyed a very easy breastfeeding relationship since, with plenty of milk and steady weight gain!

How are you inspired by your breastfeeding experience? I would not be a blogger or activist today if I had not breastfed. It is no exaggeration to say breastfeeding has been life changing for me. It has made me a more patient, better mother and a crusader to get every woman to be open to the idea of breastfeeding and to support her throughout her journey.

Are there any obstacles you have to overcome during your breastfeeding experience? Besides the two tongue ties, the toughest thing for me has been working. I’m one of those women who just doesn’t let down easily for a pump and I have found it incredibly difficult to maintain a supply while working out of the home full-time.

How do you think being a Mother of Color effects your breastfeeding experience? Definitely some health care workers I’ve encountered have been surprised that I was breastfeeding because I am a black woman. I’ve also gotten the benefit of being able to be a role model of sorts for other women of color who breastfeed. I get a lot of emails from women who have no support for breastfeeding in their real, day-to-day lives and are so grateful to know there is another mother out there who does things the way they do.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community? Between my blog and Twitter feed (@Blacktating) I try to encourage and support women in our community to breastfeed. In addition I make myself available to friends and family members and their friends and family members. People have come to think of me as someone with breastfeeding knowledge and will contact me if they have questions, which is very cool!

Feel free to share anything else about your breastfeeding experience and maternal story of growth.

I wish every woman could experience breastfeeding as total bliss, bonding and love. Yes, it can be tough at the beginning, but everything you’ve been through in your pregnancy, labor and delivery to get that baby wasn't easy either. The idea that you can build and grow a perfect little person with your body and then feed and nurture her with your breasts is absolutely awesome and amazing.

Elita Kalma is the mom to Miles, a preschooler, and newborn baby girl Aminah. She is a librarian by day and a lactivist all of the time. She started her blog, Blacktating, in 2008 as a side project while on maternity leave and it is now her third baby. When she's not reading, writing and tweeting about breastfeeding, Elita enjoys celebrity gossip, cooking, wine and traveling.

January 2012 Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month: Andrea Joiner Oliver

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  We are starting 2012 on a super high note with this January Breastfeeding Mother of Color of the Month, Andrea Joiner Oliver.  Andrea is so kind, focused and knowledgeable about breastfeeding.  She should be by now.  She breastfed her first set of twins and is currently breastfeeding her second set of twins.  Yes, two sets of twins!  So, you see why we chose her to start 2012 off on a strong note.  We congratulate you, Andrea, and honor you for all you've done in the name of Motherhood.

Introducing...Andrea Joiner Oliver

Profession:   Secretary/Treasurer of Joiner Fire SprinklerCo., Inc.

Child(ren) & Age(s):   Daryl Jr. "DJ" & John Robert "JR" 2 years / Aidan & Averi 11months

How long did/are you breastfeed(ing)?  I breastfed DJ & JR for 1 year and Aidan & Averi are still breastfeeding.

How did you know to breastfeed?  I was told by doctors and friends that it was best for my kids.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience.  My overall experience with breastfeeding has been great.  I enjoyed the process and knowing I was giving my children the very best of me.

How are you inspired by your breastfeeding experience?  I am inspired because I know I am doing what is best for my children.  I have asthma and allergies and know by breastfeeding my children it reduces the risk of them having those same ailments.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome during your breastfeeding experience?  With DJ and JR I was disappointed because I had to supplement formula with breastfeeding.  That made me feel like a bad mom since I did not produce enough milk.  With Averi and Aidan I have not had to supplement and that has made me really happy knowing I am giving them the very best at all times.  It allowed me to see that I can produce enough milk and supply my children’s needs.

How do you think being a Mother of Color effects your breastfeeding experience?  It really hasn’t affected my experience.  It moreso amazes me how breastfeeding is not as popular with women of color.  Breastfeeding should be encouraged more to women of color so its popularity increases and women know to give the very best to their children.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community?  I encourage mothers to breastfeed and share with them, if I can breastfeed twins twice, I know they can too.

Andrea Joiner Oliver, a graduate of Hampton University and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is a proud wife and mother.  She has been married to Daryl L. Oliver since June 2, 2007. They are the proud parents of two sets of twins.  The oldest set, Daryl Jr. "DJ" and John Robert "JR", are 2 years old and the youngest set, Aidan and Averi, are 11 months old.  The Olivers currently reside in Alabaster, Alabama.

State of the Union: A 2011 Recap

This is the first year of Rebecca and me being in business for ourselves.  It has been an eye opening experience.  We have gone through so many different changes in the last 12 months which have taught me a lot about myself, business, and the lactation world.  This is my reflection.

When I get home my kids cling to me.  Sometimes I haven't been gone long but if I'm not home when they get home from school, to them, I’ve been gone all day.  I miss my kids too!  I miss them so much that I'm changing my schedule so I can be at home more often.  I think it's important for mothers to build a bond with their children early so they can have great relationships with their kids as they get older.  That's why I love breastfeeding because Moms are doing many things at one time, building a great lifelong bond, nourishing baby, building the immune system, protecting themselves from illnesses and that's only naming a few.

I thought I could balance career and home with no problem.  Boy, was I wrong.  I didn't realize how much my family depended on me.  I thought that my husband, who is a musician and is at home writing, would just slide right in to my role.  I was wrong again.  Men are completely different than women and I am learning how to work with my husband so we can both further our careers.  He is very supportive in my endeavors and sometimes he's the one approaching pregnant women in stores about breastfeeding.  He sees how important my work is and he is on the frontline right there with me.  He has really helped me be a better wife, mother, and person.  I really need to give him more sex... LOL!  I'm working on it, but sometimes after a long day of work, children, housework, and more work I don't have the energy to lift a finger, let alone have sex.  I am learning how to let go of some things so I have energy to do other things that are just as important or even more important.

Sometimes, you gotta do what cha gotta do!

When Rebecca and I started The Monolatry Group, we were so excited and we were ready to let everyone know, we are here!  Anything dealing with breastfeeding we were there.  We were showing our face at meetings all over the city and suburbs.  We were making our presence known on social media sites.  Then, we wrote a grant and we kind of knew we were not going to get it.  What we were proposing was new, innovative strategies and we were new on the lactation scene.  In 2011, the breastfeeding world changed. The media was talking about breastfeeding all the time and there was more money accessible for non-profits to promote.  Rebecca and I were even more excited to work with other established non-profits to work as a community to help women breastfeed.  That's what we thought but we were naive in thinking that everyone in the breastfeeding community is helping Moms to breastfeed, as well as to empower women.

This was the eye opening part of my year.  As I reflect on this subject, I realize how much I was hurt by women that I thought were advocates for women and breastfeeding.  I thought they were my friends and women I can trust.  I thought that they would be bluntly honest with me and tell me the truth.  But instead, I got shut doors, phone calls unanswered, and just a firm hand in my face saying, “No, you can't come in here.  You are too loud, you ask too many questions, and you are way too dynamic to be on our team.”  Well, I was upset for a little while but now I have my wits about me and I have put this in the past.  2012 is our year!  I'm claiming it.

With all of the adversity I have been though personally and professionally this year, I am glad that I have a great business partner, Rebecca.  She is honest, sometimes brutally, she has my back (like I have hers) and she is a great friend.  I have to thank the universe for placing her in my life.  We have learned a lot this year and we know now who are friends are and who we need to keep our eye on.  We've grown in the last year and in our growth we have been successful.

We have our mommy group, The Abiyamo Omo Society, which meets at 2 locations in Chicago hospitals, UIC Hospital and Jackson Park Hospital.  We are helping to start the volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program at UIC Hospital.  We are instructing our first PC Class in February 2012 and because of the great response we got we are planning 2 more classes in 2012 (check our website for details).  We started renting and selling Hygeia breast pumps that we call Pump Depot and delivery for free to Chicago's Southside and South Suburbs.  January 4, 2012 we’re starting our weekly talk show called “Milking It!” (on www.VOKLE.com) and you can catch us on Facebook ("Like" The Monolatry Group & TheAbiyamo Omo Society pages) as well as Twitter @abiyamoomo.

We have given a number of presentations at area hospitals and working on new connections everyday. With all that, we are working on 2 grants to help us sustain all the unpaid work we do.  We understand what it takes to be a successful and willing to stay up late and work when we have been up for hours.  We've had a great year and are very thankful to everyone who has accepted us (and not).  Last but not least, we wanted you to know we are here to stay!

The Abiyamo Omo Society's First Breastfeeding Mother of the Month (December 2011)

The Abiyamo Omo Society is excited to introduce our first Breastfeeding Mother of the Month, Cydya Stevenson Thomas.  Each month we will highlight a Black or Brown Breastfeeding Mother who enjoyed her Breastfeeding experience and whose story needs to be shared.  This month we chose Cydya for her passion, advocacy and overall positive spirit.  She also just joined our team at The Monolatry Group.  She is our Marketing Director.  So, we honor her this month and applaud her.  Here is her interview...

Your Name: Cydya Stevenson Thomas

Your Profession: Sales Operations Manager

Your Child’s Name & Age: London Jada Thomas, 6 months old

How long are you breastfeeding?  I will breastfeed at least 1 year.

How did you know to breastfeed?  My mother breastfed all 3 of my brothers and me so, it wasn’t a thought to do it.  I just knew I needed to breastfeed.

Please explain to us your overall breastfeeding experience.  My overall experience has been wonderful. It is great for London and great for my health.  It keeps my metabolism up, reduces my risk of getting ovarian, uterine and breast cancer, keeps London healthy, keeps her immune system up, and it creates bond between us.

How are you inspired by your breastfeeding experience?  My breastfeeding experience inspires me to be a great mother/provider/caregiver for London.

Are there any obstacles you had to overcome during your breastfeeding experience?  I went to Aruba for 6 days for my honeymoon and I didn’t pump enough while I was gone.  My supply went down and I was afraid I was not going to be able to increase it.  I had to pump a lot even after I finished feeding her.  I also bought Fenugreek and Fennel supplements and Mothers Milk tea to aid in production.

What are some of the ways you inspire other mothers to breastfeed and get the word of encouragement out in the community?  I inspire other mothers to breastfeed by setting an example.  I tell other mothers the benefits of breastfeeding for the health of their babies, their health, and their pockets.  Breastmilk is free!  It is always on hand, you don’t have to worry about trying to mix a bottle or warm up anything.  It is very convenient.  I have recently joined The Monolatry Group, a company that supports, educates and aids breastfeeding mothers.

Cydya Stevenson Thomas is a military brat who spent most of her life in Central America, Asia, and Europe.  She currently resides in Kansas City, KS.  After graduating high school in Italy, she moved to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida A&M University.  She graduated in 2007 with a B.S. in Business Administration and remained in Florida until 2010.  Today, she works as a Sales Operations Manager at a Kansas City company and as Marketing Director for The Monolatry Group.  She recently married Jamaal Thomas who she met while attending FAMU and he fully supports her Breastfeeding their 6-month old daughter, London Jada, who is their pride and joy.  They are moving to a Chicago suburb this month.