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(PREFACE) IN HER OWN STRENGTH

  For Every Black Woman Who Forgot She Was the Miracle There comes a moment in every woman’s life—especially a Black woman—when she looks in the mirror and barely recognizes herself. Not because she’s broken. But because she’s been so much to so many for so long, that she’s forgotten who she was before the world started calling her strong. This book is not just about empowerment. It’s about remembrance. It’s about unearthing what was planted in us long ago by the women who came before us—the mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and midwives of our soul—who survived with grace, grit, and God. In Her Own Strength is a call back to self. It’s for the woman who gives and gives but rarely receives. For the woman who shows up with a full heart even when her spirit feels empty. For the woman who is tired of being tired—but still rises. Each chapter in this book is a love note to a piece of you. Resilience. Hope. Courage. Confidence. Not things you have to earn—but things you ...

Her Time Now: Reclaiming the Pieces

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Her Time Now: Reclaiming the Pieces A Continuation of the Postpartum Series by Chocolate Mama Gifts They said I should be grateful. That my baby is healthy. That my body is strong. That my smile should be enough to cover the pain. But somewhere between bottles and bassinets, I lost the sound of my own name. This is the part no one talks about. The silent grief of a woman who gave everything and now looks in the mirror, struggling to recognize herself. The shift in her walk. The quiet in her laugh. The strength she has… but resents having to prove, again and again. Postpartum is more than physical. It’s spiritual. Emotional. Cultural. It’s ancestral. Our grandmothers endured in silence. Our mothers powered through. But now—it’s Her Time. Your time. To gather the pieces. To name your needs without apology. To rest without guilt. To feel without shame. At Chocolate Mama Gifts, we are holding space for this part of your journey. T...
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Her Time Now: The Postpartum Series by Chocolate Mama Gifts Part 1: The Silent Epidemic — Postpartum Depression and Black Mothers Bringing a baby into the world is often painted as a time of pure joy, glowing cheeks, and soft lullabies. But for many Black women, that picture doesn't tell the whole truth. Behind the smiles and swaddles can be a hidden pain — one that often goes unnamed and untreated. 🌿 What Is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than just “feeling off” after childbirth. It’s a serious mental health condition marked by intense sadness, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and detachment. Unlike the short-lived “baby blues,” PPD can linger for weeks or months, affecting a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. 📊 How Common Is It? Across all populations, about 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression. But for Black women, studies suggest the rate may be 2 to 3 times higher — and still, we’re the least likely to be di...
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I Forgot About Me...and Now I Remember I remember the moment it hit me. I was folding baby clothes, sipping cold coffee, and listening to the hum of a monitor when it occurred to me—I hadn’t looked at myself in the mirror that day. Not really. Not past the quick glance to check for crust in my eyes or whether the bonnet was still hanging on. I couldn’t remember the last time I took a deep breath and didn’t rush to the next task. I couldn’t remember the last time I asked, “How am I doing?” See, as Black women, we wear the cape. We mother. We manage. We hold it all together. But somewhere between birth and bedtime, we start fading from our own story. And yet, we are still here . Beneath the stretch marks and expectations, there is a whole woman. One who dreams. One who cries. One who deserves joy—not just survival. So today, I took a walk. No stroller. No diaper bag. Just me and my healing. I stood in the sun and let it kiss my skin. And I said out loud, “I rememb...