Today we’d like to introduce you to Shukura Davis.
Shukura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So I was born in Dallas, Texas. I’m a product of Oak Cliff, if you will. Oak Cliff is not the best funded or kindest suburb of Dallas, for those who do not know. I was raised in a single-parent home, but I always had a tribe of women that rallied around me. The first half of my story is pretty “typical” for most African American children in underserved communities, though it shouldn’t have to be. My mother raised me. I experienced plenty of trauma. I told myself, “once you leave, don’t turn back,” and I didn’t. I went to college, got my degree in education, and I was married the same year to my high school sweetheart. Then I moved to the Houston Area. We landed in a suburban city called Pearland, Texas. This is where the second half of my life started. I currently serve as an Assistant Principal in an underserved community trying to give children with the same start in life as me a better chance of success. I just love giving back to Black and Brown children, and in turn the Black and Brown community!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! I’m an African American woman, that itself is a hurdle in growing up in America. When is the road ever smooth? I went to a PWI (Private White Institution), where adults insulted and ridiculed my culture daily. I made up my mind early; I was NOT explaining WHO I was anymore. I founded the first NAACP on campus and was the BSA president. Although I struggled, I always came home with a solution and turned that struggle triumph. While we’re on the subject of sisterhood and just being a woman in general, let me talk about another obstacle I face in my womanhood. My husband and I struggle with infertility. He and I tried and tried to conceive our first few years of marriage to no avail, it was emotionally draining. We moved on to have several procedures, including IUI’s, to assist us in having a child. I just wanted to be a mommy. We tragically lost a child and finally were blessed with two beautiful girls named Micah Rose and Harvest Grace. It is their existence that made me a mommy, which pushed me to start a non-profit organization called Melanin Moms of Pearland, they are my everything. Melanin Moms of Pearland was birthed through my desire to find the best resources for my children and the obstacle of being rejected by a community of women that didn’t look like me. Since I grew up in an African American community, particularly women, I really only knew that type of sisterhood. It was innately in me, a part of my support system and the way I navigate the world. I joined a group that shall not be named but it was supposed to support ALL moms in the area. THEY FAILED TO DO THAT! I was so sick of trying to justify why a police officer killing a black man was inhumane, tired of having to explain the injustice and being met with a chorus of “not all police” and platitudes that rang false. These weren’t my people. I knew that I had to create a safe space for melanin moms and fast! Every day that group took one of us to 1000!
Please tell us about Melanin Moms of Pearland.
Melanin Moms of Pearland is a nonprofit organization that serves Melanin Moms in Pearland and it’s surrounding areas. Our hashtag is #bringingbackthevillage. Honestly, we started out as a typical Facebook group but my vision was still not being fulfilled! I wanted to create a safe space for melanin mothers in my area. Most importantly, I wanted to create a group that provided access, equity, and scholarship to Melanin children in our community. That’s our foundation: equity, access, and scholarship. That’s also what set us apart from all the other groups on Facebook. Myself, along with my AMAZING ADMIN TEAM, started the Non-profit and are now going business to business gathering resources to give to OUR CHILDREN. We do all things BLACK OVER HERE! Our moms don’t have to google a black doctor. We have them! You need a black dentist? We have it! You need a black masseuse? We have it! We are regenerating wealth in the black community in our city. Just for background, Pearland is a predominantly white suburb but African Americans are pushing our way through and THEY DON’T LIKE IT! One thing I’m proud of is that black mothers and business owners have sent me so many messages just simply saying thank you. Because of our group they have experienced no lack of business in the pandemic. The support is UNREAL!! If you have a business and you share, please believe we are supporting it! You need a baby sitter? No more care.com! You go sis we will keep the kids. We are redefining the village and most importantly, bringing it back. Another thing I’m proud of is offering scholarships to melanin children in our community. Also sponsoring families in need. If you are a melanin mom and are in or near the Pearland area, we are here for you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themelaninmoms.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/themelaninmoms?igshid=1wsiadx95sezk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/214706509413460/?ref=share
Image Credit:
Kl photography
Kermit Lewis
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