The Momference Is The Black Mom Magic Event Of The Year

Hey Cuties,

Last weekend was yet another epic weekend in the books. The Momference, a conference geared toward black millennial moms took place. Why? Because other conferences don’t involve and or create content relevant to our needs and experiences. Face it, as much as we would like the world simply is not created equal. We are ignored, overlooked or simply left out of movements. This was a safe place for Moms of color to share, to be inspired, and to be heard.

Co-founders Simona Noce and Nikki Osei-Barret along with their 21 person Mom team masterfully put together the most eloquent parade of melanin goodness dipped in royal shades of brown. Oh, you better get into it, they did not come to play. The Momference™ is powered by District Motherhued, the premier organization for millennial moms of color in the D.C, Maryland and Virginia area. Simona and Nikki are two DMV – based publicists, HBCU grads and boy moms who aspire to inspire, serve and highlight all things #BlackMomMagic and #DMVMomTribe

This beautiful Mom balloon display was the perfect greeting as we entered The Momference. This was just the beginning, I was blown away by every single detail. I use to work in the meeting planning field so it is only natural that I notice the details.

I arrived during the second panel session titled “Supermom vs Bad Mom” While all the speakers had impressive resumes the discussion focused on how they balance parenting with careers, allowing your kids to have a voice, the struggles with mom guilt, finding “me” time and “Bae” time in the midst of it all and more. You know, all the things you wrestle with as a Mom.

Jamilah Lemieux (Mom of 1) A renowned cultural critic and writer with a focus on issues of race, gender and sexuality, Jamilah Lemieux is a leading millennial feminist thinker and new media maven. She is also the Vice President of News and Men’s Programming for iOne Digital, where she helped spearhead the creation of CASSIUS, a progressive digital lifestyle platform powered by young, Black content creators.

Kelli Coleman (Mom of 1) An award-winning marketer, advertising executive, and expert in consumer connection turned serial entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and speaker. Kelli’s calling is to empower women and she has applied her experience and acumen to advising and investing in businesses created for or built by women via her ventures company KMColeman Group. Additionally, Kelli is the founder of She Who Dares, an initiative created to empower women by highlighting the importance of personal development and the power in harnessing vulnerability to reach one’s full potential.

Dr. Rainbow Barris (Mom of 6) If you are a fan of Blackish than the name Rainbow should be familiar to you. The show is about the life of this woman. In real life she a doctor, mother, businesswoman and the wife to writer and producer Kenya Barris who is known for Grown-ish (2018), Black-ish (2014), Girls Trip (2017) The Game (2006), and the co-creator of America’s Next Top Model (2003). She also just released her book on May 8th titled Keeping Up With the Johnsons: Bow’s Guide to Black-ish Parenting.

Rainbox is Mom goals, not that I want 6 kids, but the manner in which is handles parenting, being a wife and blazing her own path and sharing her story.

These ladies were our keynote speakers. They talked about trying to maintain your spot while having a family. Will you be replaced if you take time out to have another baby. The pressure to be the “perfect mom”, limited computer time, hot meals every night for dinner and gluten-free lunches.

Julee Wilson (Mom of 1) Fashion & Beauty Director at Essence Magazine, mom, and wife.

Kahlana Barfield Brown (Mom of 1) Instyle Magazine’s Fashion and Beauty Editor at Large. She is a proud Howard University Alumni, wife an mom.

Chatting with Julee was such a great time, she is my kind of gal. She is just like us, trying to figure it out every step of the way. She also told us don’t underestimate the power of wearing the same black outfit back to back. Most people won’t even notice. Ha!

Essence was an event Sponsor and Julee proudly told us to turn to page 36 to see her son. So cute right? I don’t know if yall listen to the Essence, Yes Girl podcast but it is amazing. It happens to be advertised on the opposite page in this picture. It is the best Good Girlfriend Chatter with celeb guest you will ever experience with people you don’t personally know.

We are the ladies of the Mommy Between the Sheets panel. The panel was described as Let’s talk about sex, mommy’s new body and keeping it spicy in marriage, post delivery and beyond. Childbirth can greatly impact a woman’s body, image, and esteem. Learn how to re-engage, reinvigorate, and reconnect with your sexual identity and partner, in addition to embracing your mind, body, and soul.

I don’t know what I was saying but my facial expression was hilarious. Our panel was freaking incredible and not just because I was on it. We went there, nothing was off limits. I wasn’t sure if our audience would be receptive to our chatter but they were all the way in with us. I did not know this ladies prior to our panel but we worked well together. We were open and honest, that is the first step.

Society wants us to believe that women should not enjoy intimacy like our partners. Wrong! We talked about loving your new body after giving birth, healthy sex after sexual assault, getting creative to make it fun. How you should go about having the tough conversation with your partner to let them know your insecurities, getting your kids out of your bed, sexy moves, what you can do to entice your partner while doing everyday household tasks like cooking, and so much more.

The ladies showed up, they asked questions and we gave them solutions. Go forth and feel sexy ladies.

Our panel was so good we did not want it to end. We continued the conversation afterward and these ladies warmed my heart. I have made some new friends and I’m excited about staying connected with them.

These are but a few comments I received on social media.

I love a good photo booth, but this one was the best one yet.

There was so much more of the conference that I did not get to partake in, but I heard it was all amazing. I was there as a speaker but the media correspondent in me would not rest. I was still doing what I do naturally. We did the electric slide in the lobby, we chatted with strangers that became new Mom-Friends, we took pictures, we met virtual friends in real life, and soaked up all the Black Mom Magic. We are indeed unicorns, we are just magical AF, unlike any others. Fight me!

We closed out The Momference with a toast while saying the following words out loud “I am magical, I am powerful, I am Black Mom Magic!

This box was filled with the most amazing goodies. I have started using them already.

After the Momference was the after-party; we took over the W hotel in DC and it was L-I-T!

If you are a Mom of color, this is the event you need to be at every year. Chat with me in the comments below or FB, IG, and Twitter.