Tracy A Long, MS, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH’s Post

Join the Conversation: Parenting While Black 🌟 We’re excited to invite you to Parenting While Black: Nurturing Legacy, Love, and Liberation, a FREE 4-part virtual conversation series designed by, for, and among Black parents. This is YOUR space to connect, share, and explore what it means to raise children in a world that often asks us to navigate unique challenges and pressures. 🗓️ When: Monday, February 24th ⏰ Time: 60-minute virtual sessions Through these dynamic conversations, we will: 🌱 Discuss mental health & wellness, acknowledging the unique pressures Black parents face. 💪 Offer tools for emotional resilience & self-care. 👨👩👧👦 Celebrate Black families as a cornerstone of cultural preservation and future affirmation. 🖤 Strengthen intergenerational bonds & explore ways to build lasting legacies. Each session will be moderated by Kimya Barden, Ph.D. — Parenting Scholar and Associate Professor at Northeastern Illinois University-Chicago. This is more than a conversation; it's a community-building experience that honors the wisdom, love, and strength we bring as Black parents. 🖤 This is a space for ALL Black parents, caregivers, and families — no matter where you’re from or where you’re at in your parenting journey. 👉 RSVP today and mark your calendars — we can’t wait to connect with you and nurture our collective legacies! https://buff.ly/4gQRvCM #ParentingWhileBlack #CulturalLegacy #MentalHealth #BlackFamilies #SelfCare #EmotionalResilience #BlackMothers #BlackFathers #ParentingCommunity #BlackJoy #Liberation #ParentingSeries

Despite prevalent misconceptions, statistics reveal the truth of black fathers profound presence in shaping their children's future. Let's illuminate this reality and celebrate the bond between Black fathers and their children! Here are 5 stats you may not know about black fathers.  1. 2.5 million black fathers live with their children, compared to 1.7 million who don't 2. 70% of black fathers are married 3. 44% of black fathers with children under the age of 5 report that they play with their children more than once a day 4. 75% of black fathers took their children to and from activities several times a week or more 5. Over half of black fathers, 54%, read to their kids aged 5 or younger daily 🎥: @TheStartupHussle  . . . #Youthempowerment #Blackfathers #Blackfathersmatter #Blackdads #EmpowerYouth #Youthdevelopment #Exploretocreate #FYPinstagram #Youthlens360

#BlackHistoryMonth #ReclaimingNarratives #Day12 Reclaiming the Sisterhood Throughout Black history, sisterhood has been a powerful force, enabling Black women to support one another and navigate society’s challenges. It’s more than friendship; it’s about building bonds that foster resilience, empowerment, and collective progress. Historically excluded from spaces of influence, Black women created their own communities—safe havens for sharing stories, offering support, and fighting for justice. From abolitionist movements to civil rights and today’s advocacy, sisterhood has been key to collective action. Reclaiming sisterhood honours this legacy. It’s about nurturing friendships that create care and solidarity, celebrating each other’s victories, and offering support during challenges. Sisterhood reminds us we are stronger together, and it empowers us to reclaim our narratives, define ourselves, and resist forces that divide us. In Black history, sisterhood has been an act of defiance and resilience. By continuing to nurture these bonds, we reclaim our stories and reinforce that the strength of our community lies in our connections. Sisterhood is our shield, our voice, and our power. #SisterhoodStrength #CommunityCare #EmpoweredTogether

🗣️BlackBirthStoryBlog.com, a vital online resource dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black families through the lens of birth stories and education, is excited to announce new updates designed to better serve its growing community. These enhancements include the integration of an AI-powered birth assistant, an additional resources button, and an updated mission statement on the “Learn More” button, which leads to a refreshed “About” page. The “Learn More” button now leads to an enhanced “About” page, where visitors can explore the updated mission statement. This revision reinforces the platform’s commitment to amplifying Black voices, advocating for equitable maternal care, and fostering a supportive space for sharing birth stories and knowledge. BlackBirthStoryBlog.com was created as a space for Black families to share and access stories of resilience, joy, and transformation in their birthing experiences. The platform seeks to honor the unique challenges and triumphs faced by Black parents, while equipping them with the tools and support needed to thrive. https://lnkd.in/ge75TiRb

🗣️BlackBirthStoryBlog.com, a vital online resource dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black families through the lens of birth stories and education, is excited to announce new updates designed to better serve its growing community. These enhancements include the integration of an AI-powered birth assistant, an additional resources button, and an updated mission statement on the “Learn More” button, which leads to a refreshed “About” page. The “Learn More” button now leads to an enhanced “About” page, where visitors can explore the updated mission statement. This revision reinforces the platform’s commitment to amplifying Black voices, advocating for equitable maternal care, and fostering a supportive space for sharing birth stories and knowledge. BlackBirthStoryBlog.com was created as a space for Black families to share and access stories of resilience, joy, and transformation in their birthing experiences. The platform seeks to honor the unique challenges and triumphs faced by Black parents, while equipping them with the tools and support needed to thrive. https://lnkd.in/ge75TiRb

🗣️BlackBirthStoryBlog.com, a vital online resource dedicated to celebrating and empowering Black families through the lens of birth stories and education, is excited to announce new updates designed to better serve its growing community. These enhancements include the integration of an AI-powered birth assistant, an additional resources button, and an updated mission statement on the “Learn More” button, which leads to a refreshed “About” page. The “Learn More” button now leads to an enhanced “About” page, where visitors can explore the updated mission statement. This revision reinforces the platform’s commitment to amplifying Black voices, advocating for equitable maternal care, and fostering a supportive space for sharing birth stories and knowledge. BlackBirthStoryBlog.com was created as a space for Black families to share and access stories of resilience, joy, and transformation in their birthing experiences. The platform seeks to honor the unique challenges and triumphs faced by Black parents, while equipping them with the tools and support needed to thrive. https://lnkd.in/ge75TiRb

The Predictive Index is closed today to honor Juneteenth and reflect on fostering workplace equity. Understanding why we're OOO and the significance of 6/19 for Black Americans is crucial. Before Juneteenth, PI gathered to discuss its legacy. We created space for candid dialogue about the dual nature of Juneteenth—reflecting on the inequitable starting point of Black Americans and the modern impacts of slavery while also celebrating progress. As colleagues, we collaborate and support each other better when we acknowledge our similarities and differences. Juneteenth reminds us that our origin stories shape our identities; for Black Americans, the concept of freedom cannot be separated from the involuntary nature of their arrival and the withholding of their freedom. By commemorating Juneteenth, PI hopes to create space for all Pioneers to feel recognized. Our mission Better Work, Better World isn’t possible without introspection on days like today. Learn more about the history of Juneteenth and how you too can observe the day: https://bit.ly/3KNFcZl

The theme of #BlackHistoryMonth2024 is reclaiming narratives and I have been reflecting on the importance of this for Black and racially minoritised children in the youth justice system, who experience racism, negative stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice. In my latest blog post, I discuss the importance of this theme and the role of voluntary organisations, led by and for racially minoritised people, in supporting children through celebrating their identities, histories and cultures so they can reach their full potential. https://lnkd.in/gXfDQh9m

Black History Month comes to a close...but the journey for equality can, will and MUST continue! Being a father of mixed race children, the conversations this evokes are extremely close to my heart. Why can't we live in a world where people are not judged differently just because the colour of their skin? Black History Month is often filled with tributes to well-known figures, but there are countless lesser-known heroes whose impact is equally profound. This year, let's celebrate the stories of Black individuals whose names may not appear in history textbooks but who have nonetheless left an indelible mark on society. Take, for instance, Bayard Rustin, a strategist and activist instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Although Rustin played a critical role in the Civil Rights Movement and was a key advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his story is often overlooked due to his open identity as a gay man. His courage and dedication to justice remain a vital part of the movement’s legacy. Another unsung hero is Claudette Colvin, who at just 15, refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, nine months before Rosa Parks. Despite her young age, Colvin challenged the system and became one of the plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, which ultimately led to the Supreme Court ruling that ended bus segregation in Montgomery. Contemporary history holds figures like Mamie Till-Mobley, whose activism following the tragic death of her son, Emmett Till, helped catalyse the Civil Rights Movement. Her decision to hold an open-casket funeral exposed the brutality of racial violence, making her an enduring symbol of strength and resilience. By celebrating these often-overlooked figures, we honour the vast tapestry of Black history. I hope that this month you took the opportunity to explore the stories of those who may not always be highlighted but who have, nonetheless, shaped our world with bravery, vision, and resilience. We thank and salute you from the bottom of our hearts! #blm #blackhistorymonth #culture #society #change #thankyou #leadership

Heinz. Whew. Rough week. Two apologies & ads pulled because they are offensive. In one week 👀 I hope valuable lessons are learned: I think every campaign I’ve worked on in my entire career, I’ve told the creative team: “A Black family? Make sure there is a father present.” “A Black man? With a child? Make sure you see his wedding ring” Creatives hate to see me coming because I’m a broken record with that 👏🏽Black👏🏽Fathers👏🏽Matter Why? Because. Because WAY too often, society perpetuates the harmful and INCORRECT stereotype of Black men as absentee fathers. This false narrative disrespects the countless Black fathers who are present, engaged, and loving in their children’s lives. Why is this an incorrect & false stereotype? Because according to the CDC, Black fathers are more involved in their children's lives than fathers of other races: Daily care Black fathers who live with their children are more likely to bathe, dress, feed, and change diapers. Non-residential care Black fathers who don't live with their children are more likely to read to them, help with homework, talk to them about their day, and take them to activities. Co-parenting Black fathers are more likely to share responsibilities and display more effective coparenting than Hispanic and White fathers Daily care Black fathers who live with their children are more likely to bathe, dress, feed, and change diapers. Non-residential care Black fathers who don't live with their children are more likely to read to them, help with homework, talk to them about their day, and take them to activities. Co-parenting Black fathers are more likely to share responsibilities and display more effective coparenting than Hispanic and White fathers (Source: https://lnkd.in/eRCS3UEA ) Brands & agencies without Black strategist, creatives or account management: show COMPLETE Black families in your executions which means including Black fathers to paint a fuller, more accurate picture. We have a responsibility to tell stories that reflect the truth of Black love, partnership, and fatherhood. Plesse - stop erasing Black men from the family narrative and start giving them the recognition they deserve. #hiremoreBlackPeople #RepresentationMatters #heinz #DEI #BlackFatherhood #BrandResponsibility