Dear Mama - October 24, 2020 at 10am

Three years ago, my dear friend, law school classmate, and fellow artist Kamilah House and I had a long and emotional conversation about motherhood and maternity. We were both survivors of traumatic birth experiences and were alarmed by rising U.S maternal mortality rates. We knew we wanted to turn our trauma into action but with demanding careers and motherhood, we knew it might take some time.

I am so pleased to share - our time is now. 

Join us on October 24, 2020 beginning at 10am for Dear Mama, a virtual group thematic exhibit depicting pregnancy and motherhood through the eyes of emerging artists of color. The exhibition will be followed by a day of dialogue and healing featuring physicians, psychiatrists and other health care experts as we discuss the physical and emotional health of mothers and mothers to be.

Register and learn more here.

A deep heartfelt thank you to Rohini Gupta, the Friends and Foundation of Howard County Library System, HCLS President & CEO Tonya Aikens, Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, MD, Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz and the Worcester Library System for your partnership. 

Follow our event page on Facebook at Dear Mama and follow us on IG at dearmama_art for more info. On October 16 at 7pm on IG live, Kamilah and I will be taking some time to chat about what this important exhibit means to us! 

More on Dear Mama

When: October 24, 2020 10am-2pm

Register HERE.

Schedule of Events

Reception: 10 -11 am

Welcome Remarks/Viewing of Virtual Exhibit 

Keynote: Melani Douglass, Director of Public Programs at National Museum of Women in the Arts, Founder of the Family Arts Museum

 Session 1:  11:15 am - 12 pm

What to Know: Advocating for the Health of You and Your Baby

Join us as we tell our stories about physical trauma and discuss how best to advocate for your health during pregnancy and post-partum.

Faye McCray (Host) & Kamilah House-Lewis (Co-Host)

Briana Green, Director of Operations at Mamatoto Village

Dr. Donna Marie Neale, M.D. Medical Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Session 2:  12:30 - 1:15 pm

Let’s Talk About It: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Join the artists as we tell our stories about the mental and emotional challenges that arise from pregnancy and childbirth. Learn to identify when you need help and how to find resources you need.

Faye McCray (Host) & Kamilah House-Lewis (Co-Host)

Dr. Alexis Lighten Wesley, M.D.Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at Children’s National Hospital

Biany Perez, Black Latinx mental health therapist  

Session 3:  1:15 - 2 pm

Healing through Connection: Black Motherhood in 2020

Join the artists for open dialogue about the unique challenges facing black mothers and parenting children of color in today’s volatile climate.

Sherry Samuels (Host), certified life coach, workshop facilitator and writer

Ana Rodney, MOMCares; Executive Director and founder 

Karen Pryor, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Queen Mother Magazine and the Founder of KMP Fashion Consulting, LLC 

For more information on panelists & artists and to join the conversation, click this link.

Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. This email will also contain the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.

Love and Light, 

Faye