It has been 10 days since the 2024 elections in the United States. Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris, and here in New York City, there’s still a strange, eerie energy in the streets.

For me, as a Black woman in public, I felt the stares, the pauses, and the comments sent my way, like, “Welp, here we are,” “We have to stick together,” and “Thank God we live in a blue state.”

I chose not to comment. I didn’t fill the empty space; I didn’t bring up the election—because as a collective, my group, we did our job

We started raising our pre-seed round in April 2022 and in June 2022 I found out I was pregnant with twins, a complete surprise, I had an IUD for several years and could not even imagine twins! As close as I am to my mentors, I felt uncomfortable sharing the news. I did not want She Matters to suffer on my account. Most of you know what I am referring to, the whispers and the doubt in a Woman's ability once she announces a pregnancy.

Negative self-talk is harmful because it can lead to a feeling of helplessness and a lack of self-confidence. Negative self-talk can also lead to us believing that we cannot achieve our goals and can be a significant source of self-doubt. It can also lead to destructive behaviors such as procrastination and can be emotionally damaging as it can lead to feelings of worthlessness, depression, and anxiety.

Self-sabotage is a form of behavior in which an individual hinders their own success and progress. It can manifest itself in many different ways, such as procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, and negative self-talk. Self-sabotage can be a sign of underlying issues such as low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety, and can be quite destructive if not addressed. It is important to identify the thought patterns and behaviors that lead to self-sabotage and to replace them with more positive and productive ones.

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of traumatic experiences and the resulting negative effects from one generation to the next. It can be challenging to overcome intergenerational trauma, but there are steps that Black mothers can take to heal and break the cycle of trauma. Here are some suggestions:

It is important for all individuals to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings, and this is especially true for Black women, who may face unique barriers and biases in the healthcare system. Here are some tips for advocating for yourself as a Black woman in a healthcare setting:

Setting boundaries with family members is an important way to take care of yourself and establish healthy relationships. Here are some tips for setting boundaries with your family:

Gentle parenting, also known as attachment parenting, is a parenting philosophy that emphasizes a close, nurturing relationship between parent and child. Gentle parenting aims to create a supportive and nurturing environment in which children can grow and develop to their full potential.

A doula is a person who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person during labor, birth, and postpartum. Doulas are not medical professionals and do not provide medical advice. Their role is to provide comfort and support during labor, helping to ease pain and stress, and providing a reassuring presence during birth. Doulas can also provide assistance with breastfeeding, infant care, and postpartum recovery.

Vulnerability can be difficult because it requires us to expose ourselves in a way that doesn't come naturally for most of us. It means letting go of our comfort zone and taking a risk by sharing our thoughts and feelings with others. It also means being open to the possibility of being hurt or rejected, which can be a difficult thing to do. However, it can also lead to greater trust and connection with others, so it can be worth the risk.