On this Mother’s Day, I find myself thinking about the mothers who inhabit this space and the love you all have for not only your own children, but also  the work you all are doing to make the world more equitable and less harmful for Black and brown children.

I love this; love that we are learning that love and care goes far beyond our flesh; that Hesed love transcends blood ties. 

I also love the life that we have gestated here. This community is only as viable and as healthy as we who nurture it. 

As those of us who are parents know, the path to growing up a child is neither easy nor linear. 

Lace on Race, this baby we are all nurturing here, is no different. 

But we have done it. When we organized formally, we became an entity, yes, but our values have never wavered; our ethos stays strong. Our action to become the Lace on Race Center for Racial equity is in deep service to who we have always been–and also makes sure that our ‘baby’ will live and thrive beyond any of us. 

Which, I am told, is the entire point of parenting, yes? Love and nurture and training up and structure and discipline–and then hoping that all we have poured in will take root and grow up and out and strong. 

I love hearing about how you all raise up your children; love hearing how you have changed how you abide with them, how you ‘take it outside’ to your backyards, and playgrounds, and kitchen tables. This is no small thing. 

So it is here. Laying a foundation that lasts so the child can build the house they were meant to when they are ready is the task we have for each child. Laying a foundation for the next phase of Lace on Race is what we have done here. 

We are so grateful for all of you–mamas, midwives, aunties, and doulas who have helped our collective child grow. So many orange trees we have planted, here in the Lace on Race orchard.

Here’s to many more. 

Happy Mother’s Day.

Join us in The Bistro for conversation around this post and many more!