As you grow older, the hope is that we also grow wiser and this usually begins with understanding a big chunk of the advice given, so patiently, by our mothers. Although each of our mothers is wonderfully unique something is comforting and familiar about the African, African-American, Afro-Latino mother experience that bonds us, entering us kids into a type of hidden club. Inside this clandestine, labyrinth of memories shared by the “collective”, we can almost hear our mothers, dishing out sage advice like —- “Because I said so!” and “If your friends jump off a bridge, are you going to jump too?,” “Don’t make me get up,” “Jesus, take the wheel” and my personal favorite — “What part of no don’t you understand?”
In all our mothers’ saucy pronouncements there is nothing but love driving that advice. You see, now that we’ve hit a certain age, and are now looking at life from a much different vantage point, we can fully appreciate that all advice was to keep us safe, to keep us alive and away from those, in this racist, ageist and sexist world that seek to harm us for nothing more than being who we are, which is, people of color. For this collective desire to protect us, I wish all of the Mothers of Color a very special Mothers’ Day. One that is filled with the joy of knowing that their loved ones are protected and afforded the same opportunities and rights given to White citizens. That is my greatest wish for all of us and therefore providing that soulful peace of mind our mothers deserve.
Below are a few carefully chosen gift ideas that I think might show your mother just how much you value everything (and I do mean everything) they have given us over the years.
BEAUTY
Pat McGrath
Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Eye Palette
Perfect pigmentation. This quartet of rose-inspired shades features mattes and shimmers that create a blooming bouquet of elegant eyes. Seductively soft, blendable shadow formulations inspired by the spirit of the global smash Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Eye Palette.
https://www.instagram.com/patmcgrathreal/
MATTETRANCE™ LIPSTICK
A revolutionary lipstick so luxurious and richly pigmented, it drenches lips in a lightweight veil of opaque color while delivering a mesmerizingly modern matte finish. Innovative formulation combines a strong matte finish with highly saturated pigmentation leaving the lips feeling luscious and smooth, with a supple, cushiony feel.
Fenty Beauty
Face Shaping Brush 125
A perfect plush, angled face brush for flawless blending and sculpting, designed to effortlessly blend cream and powder blushes, bronzers, and highlighters picking up the pigment you need in an easy sweep.
Bloomeffects
Royal Tulip Nectar
Indeed, Black don’t crack (Amen) but it’s always nice to introduce new products to help bring out more of our inner beauty. I offer Bloomeffects which is the first skincare brand to harness the previously unknown regenerative and hydrating properties of the tulip to create a truly unique, field-to-face skincare experience. Tapping into one of the world’s most glorious natural resources – Holland’s world-renowned tulips. Bloomeffects also uses 100% recyclable packaging as well as 100% recycled FSA-certified paper and soy ink for all packaging materials, making the Bloomeffects experience beautiful from the inside out
Royal Tulip Nectar
A unique healing ointment-to-serum, quench-it-all hydrator that soothes, nourishes, and repairs the skin’s barrier. Powered by the Bloomeffects Proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex and a bouquet of earth-sourced ingredients like White Horehound Plant, TYROSTAT Rumex Plant Extract, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Biomimetic Peptide, this natural moisturizer works to boost skin’s natural enzymes to protect against environmental stressors, prevent discoloration and uneven tone, while brightening, moisturizing and illuminating the skin. Use the tulip spatula to apply a thin layer directly onto your skin, wherever it needs a little extra love, or try it as a moisturizing sleep mask to wake up with skin fit for a queen.
Dutch Dirt Mask
This skin-purifying, pore-purging powerhouse mask uses natural botanical extracts like Prickly Pear Enzyme, Flower Acid, and the Bloomeffects Proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex to help detox, purify, absorb oil, deeply exfoliate and hydrate. Think of it as a reset button for your skin – clean, fresh, and completely clarified.
Eco Pea Co.
Hey, no mothers, grandmothers, and aunties of all ages — Eco Pea Co. wipes and diapers are dermatologist-approved and are both hypoallergenic and antibacterial. They contain no harmful ingredients and no added fragrance. They are made responsibly using bamboo and manufactured in a certified facility.
JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES
California Jewellery Collection
Crafted by refugees from Myanmar, Syria, and Afghanistan living in Malaysia. This beautiful jewelry collection highlights the varied heritage and unique cultural narratives of refugee artisans. The pattern is inspired by the landscapes of Myanmar.
Made in partnership with Earth Heir. Lead-free and Nickel free
Dutch Tulip Crepe Scarf – Purple
Purple is the color of royalty and every African, and African-American and Afro-Latino woman is royal. To match her royal status, this screened Silk Crepe Scarf is beautifully constructed with a contrasting border. 10”x70”
https://www.indieme.com/ProductDetail/ProductID/496980
Marine earrings
Delicately handcrafted by in-house artisans at AZGA. Their jewelry embodies traditional workmanship and contemporary touch, and the seashell charms were carefully put together to create these unique pieces. Made in Brass, Enamel, 22kt gold plated.
Color: Gold
BOOKS
Philly Jawns: For Women Revisited
Philly Jawns: For Women Revisited, a new poetry anthology in tribute to Nina Simone, is the latest project from co-editors and poets Debra Powell-Wright and Pat McLean-Smith. Lauded as “…both playlist and prayer for Ms. Simone, our mold-breaker and future fashioner” by former Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher,.
The Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoir
Jenifer Lewis — the “Mega Diva” is and legendary star of Black-ish looks back on her memorable journey to fame and the unforgettable life lessons she learned along the way. This is a provocative and touching memoir by a Midwestern girl with a dream whose journey from poverty to Hollywood will move, shock, and inspire listeners.
Told in the audacious voice her fans adore, Jenifer describes a road to fame made treacherous by dysfunction and undiagnosed mental illness, including a sex addiction. Yet, supported by loving friends and strengthened by “inner soldiers”, Jenifer never stopped entertaining and creating.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Rich Dad Poor Dad, the #1 Personal Finance book of all time, tells the story of Robert Kiyosaki and his two dads—his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad—and how both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains the difference between working for money and having your money work for you.
Cicely Tyson Just as I Am: A Memoir
“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only succeeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” –President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony
“Just as I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. In these pages, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and a mother, a sister and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by his hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” –Cicely Tyson
ORGANIZATION
FluidStance’s Lift
This is on my holiday 2021 gift guide list because it’s perfect. This desktop whiteboard is a game-changer for those of us that need a little extra help keeping organized. The Lift recognizes the need for a hybrid solution that combines improved ergonomics and comfort with a more usable and productivity-promoting workspace. Staying true to FluidStance’s dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly materials, the product features 16 gauge cold rolled steel–Earth’s most recycled material with the ability to be reused infinitely–and eco-felt made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.
ErgoFoam
Another perfect gift is the ErgoFoam which goes under the desk and is a footrest that provides firm support for your feet and helps ensure your sitting position is upright. Improving your posture has been proven to reduce soreness and fatigue to your back, feet, legs, and knees, and will also improve circulation. https://ergofoam.co/
FRAGRANCE, CANDLES & MORE
Malicious Women Candle Co.
This innovative candle company comes with a warning — don’t try to stop us. Don’ttell us our ideas won’t work. They straight out reject all expectations of what a woman or a candle should be. And the result? Perfection. My favorite is “I Am Stronger Than The Bullshit” which is infused with overload and fatigue. Smells like heaven, is hand-poured, cotton wick, 100% organic and has a 48 hour burn time. (www.maliciouswomenco.com)
ENTERTAINMENT
BET+ for Mother’s Day
First Wives Club Season 1 (starring Michelle Buteau as Bree) — Bree is the wildcard of her friend group. As an orthopedic surgeon, she is the breadwinner of her family, Bree is learning to balance her career, family, and relationship with her husband.
The Ailey Organization
The Ailey organization is furthering the pioneering vision of its founder by “bringing dance back to the people” and lifting spirits through Ailey All Access, a series of online offerings including streaming of free performance broadcasts, Ailey Extension dance, and fitness classes, and more. Performance Broadcasts – Cry 50th Anniversary. In a joyful nod to the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey’s beloved work, Cry, viewers will be treated to a new film adaptation of Jacqueline Green interpreting the extraordinary solo premiering on a Mother’s Day Matinee, on Sunday, May 9 at 3 pm EDT.
