058 | The Evolution of Motherhood w/ Dr. Rosemarie Allen + Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown

Special National Black Girl Month™ Series | Co-hosted by Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown

You may not remember her reading parenting books, but she knew how to raise a household and keep a family intact. Big Mama didn’t need a manual—she had instincts, routines, and an unshakable sense of responsibility. She didn’t just take care of you; she taught you what it meant to show up, even when nobody showed up for her. She built structure out of very little and carried generations with her hands, her prayers, and her presence.

But now, you're the one leading.
And you're doing it with memories of how it used to be and a front-row seat to how much has changed. Or maybe, you're starting from what you know in your heart. 

In this first episode of our National Black Girl Month™ series, I’m joined by Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown and our guest, Dr. Rosemarie Allen—an education leader and national voice on racial equity and childhood development. This conversation is about mothering without a blueprint and making daily decisions in a world that doesn’t always feel safe for your child—or for you.

You’ll hear how Dr. Allen went from being suspended in kindergarten to shaping national education policy.
You’ll hear what happened when she had to teach her son to go limp during a chokehold—so he could come home alive.

“Have I been whipping my baby for no reason?”
A young mother asked that on a bus.
Dr. Allen didn’t shame her. She stayed. She answered. She mothered her.
That child is now older.

This conversation is parenting at the intersection of love and fear. Survival and pride. Freedom and danger. And it’s the kind of conversation that millennial Black mothers aren’t always given the space to have—but desperately need.

It’s about the systems that mislabel brilliance as defiance.
What happens when Black children are expelled from daycare before they can talk?
Where can you talk about the pressure of sending your child into schools that once failed you?

“Historically, through slavery, we learned to beat our children into submission because they had to survive. But we’ve evolved from surviving to thriving. Our job now is to help our children thrive.” – Dr. Allen

Whether you’re raising toddlers or teenagers, or carrying the weight of mothering others through your work, this episode offers room to reflect, release, and reimagine.

Because what’s passed down shouldn’t just be pain.
It should be power.

—

Visit drrosemarieallen.com for more on her work.
Download the free National Black Girl Month™ Toolkit: bit.ly/nbgm2025
Join the private community: facebook.com/groups/nationalblackgirlmonth

Dr. Rosemarie Allen - 
Dr. Rosemarie Allen is a distinguished leader and facilitator dedicated to fostering inclusive practices across all sectors of society. Currently serving as a Professor of Early Childhood at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Dr. Allen is also the Founder, President, and CEO of the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence (IREE), supporting equity in educational, governmental, and corporate practices. With extensive experience, Dr. Allen has provided Keynote Addresses, training, facilitation, equity audits and other services for the United States Department of Education, 47 State Departments of Education, and the United States Customs and Border Protection, Public Broadcasting Service, TeachStone and various police departments, school districts, and other organizations, showcasing her commitment to creating equitable environments. An international expert, Dr. Allen is a respected keynote speaker, frequently presenting at global conferences. Her advocacy for justice and inclusive practices has significantly shaped policies in educational, governmental, and corporate settings. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Allen serves as a faculty member for the Pyramid Model Consortium and as an Associate Professor of Research for The Children’s Equity Project (CEP) at Arizona State University. She also contributes as a consultant for the Positive Early Learning Experiences (PELE) Center at the University of Denver and guest faculty at Georgetown University. Her previous roles include directorship positions with the Colorado Department of Human Services, where she shaped early learning policies and programs. As the Equity and Culture expert for 9News KUSA, Dr. Allen hosts a weekly segment addressing race, culture, and child development. Her accolades include the prestigious T. Barry Brazelton Friends of Children Award, the MLK Peace Award, and the Rosa Parks Diversity Award, among others. Dr. Allen earned her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach, her Master’s in Education from Lesley University, and her Doctorate in Equity and Leadership in Education from the University of Colorado, Denver. Dr. Allen's unwavering commitment to education and equity continues to inspire change and drive progress towards a more inclusive future for all.

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