Hidden Gems: Meet Marpessa Allen of Mahogany Mothers Circle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marpessa Allen.

Marpessa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Mahogany Mothers Circle (MMC) is a bi-weekly support group for Black mothers in the Denver Metropolitan Area. MMC was founded in response to the isolation that Black mothers faced during the pandemic lockdown. As a Birthworker, there were several conversations about what could be done to combat the isolation they experienced. As a result of these conversations, we created a space for the mothers in the community that are at any stage of motherhood.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The creation of Mahogany Mothers Circle was not a smooth road. The pandemic kept everyone on edge, but our Zoom platform had high attendance every week. We quickly learned to get creative and engage our mothers online. Once the pandemic regulations were lifted, we took the opportunity to host our groups at Mama Bird Wellness Spa. We are currently in the process of working out how to be equally present in the digital space following our transition to in-person meetings, starting with an 8-week series podcast on our Mahogany Mothers Circle Club on Clubhouse, Instagram, and Facebook.

During our Clubhouse podcast series, we thoughtfully addressed cannabis use. As a Doula, we aim to educate and empower birthing parents to make the right decisions for their birth journey. The pandemic highlighted the threat of using alternative self-care methods. Unfortunately, Black women are unfairly criminalized for deciding to use cannabis while pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Cannabis use in motherhood circles is a hot topic that has very real and disturbing consequences. We have heard reports of mothers getting drug tested while in the labor room if cannabis use is suspected and Child Protective Services involvement.

I connected with Katherine Golden, a registered nurse and the CEO & Founder of www.leaf411.org, to have as a resource for mothers’ education and directional support regarding cannabis use. As a young mother, I had questionable consequences regarding my medical decisions. Having a resource like Leaf411 would have made all the difference in the world in my early years as a mother. Our discussion with Katherine was by far my favorite and most meaningful Mahogany Mothers Circles; it was a game changer.

What I love about Mahogany Mothers Circle is that it was organic from the start. We aren’t numbers-focused but quality-focused. I debrief every Sunday we are together and ask, “Did our Mothers feel loved? Did our mothers feel cared for? Did they feel heard? Did they take something positive away from their experience?” If those answers are yes across the board, we’re pleased. During our time together, we start with a grounding structure that is intended to build trust in the group. We start with introductions, a grounding exercise, and recite our charter that states:

Mahogany Mothers Circle is –
■ A Safe Space, a place where we share our feelings and help one another
■ A place where we have real conversations
■ A place where we respect and honor one another
■ A place where we maintain confidentiality
■ A place where we are empowered by each other’s journey
■ A place where we ground ourselves in LOVE
■ A place for Black mothers and their seeds
■ A place for genuine, authentic, sisterhood
■ A Community of confidence, realness, and dignity strong enough to stop time
■ We are intentionally present
■ We are learning to develop examples and live out our womanhood
■ We value that we have the capacity to bring forth life and maintain life
■ We lift each other in WOMANHOOD
■ We honor our proper image, that is who we are ■

We want all Mahogany Mothers to know that we are an open door. There is no obligation to show up every week. Their children are always welcome to attend or not; it’s up to them. So many mothers carry guilt about breastfeeding in public or having their baby cry at the wrong times on a Zoom call or in person; we do not care. We are happy that you decided to join us. We firmly believe that each one can teach one. No hierarchy or clique makes the decisions; that’s what doulas do. I want to shout out the first sponsor we ever had, Seasons Midwifery Birth Center. I met them at Breastival, and they immediately offered to support Mahogany Mothers Circle. That spoke volumes. The bottom line is Mahogany Mothers Circle seeks to build a community that has Black women/mothers’ best interests at heart.

As you know, we’re big fans of Mahogany Mothers Circle. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The first year of Mahogany Mothers Circle started on Zoom. Every month centers on a different theme, addressing topics that are directly relevant to our participants. Themes range from love languages, boundaries, fitness, finances, nutrition, breastfeeding, and self-care. Mahogany Mothers Circle fully promotes Radical Self-care, intentionally weaving it into every discussion. Mahogany Mothers Circle just celebrated our 2nd anniversary this August, and we are continuing to evolve.

As the pandemic eases, we are slowly transitioning to a hybrid model by integrating in-person mothers’ circles. Mahogany Mothers Circle partnered with Mama Bird Maternity Wellness Spa in Aurora to hold our meetings because they also unapologetically center Black mothers and self-care. Mahogany Mothers Circle provides the necessary support to honor the needs, desires, dreams, and concerns of Black mothers. Mahogany Mothers Circle takes its role as gatekeepers in the community seriously and work tirelessly to center the experiences of Black women, creating sacred spaces that are safe and fruitful. Outside of our Sunday gatherings, we offer Breastfeeding Education, Labor Doula Support, and Cross-Community Collaborative Services.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, my mother stayed at home with my mother stayed home with my sister. I remember my mother opening our home to other mothers all the time. She used to have aerobics classes in our basement, frequent dinners, and don’t get me started on our birthday parties. These interactions made a lasting impression on me. I love hosting gatherings, especially for the Black mothers I mentor. I consider every young mom to be my little sister. I hope to impart the wisdom that stemmed from the ups and downs of my journey. I’m an open book because it’s not common in our society to be candid about life experiences anymore.

I am also a huge supporter of breastfeeding. Nutrition is integral to raising healthy children. I breastfed all four of my children, even though 85 percent of my experience was difficult. I had my first three children in my 20s, and although my family was supportive, I didn’t have any education about breastfeeding. I had to figure it out on my own. I saw a picture of my mother breastfeeding me in the 80s that made a permanent impression on me. After seeing the picture, I felt strongly about choosing to breastfeed my children, and I am forever grateful that my mom made that choice for me. This drive kept me going, despite the lack of education and sleep.

My mom influenced my career and motherhood in so many ways. She navigated her relationships with women in a positive and uplifting way; I believe I inherited those traits of hospitality, care, and concern for others. Mahogany Mothers Circle is modeled after my mother’s lifestyle of supporting and loving her girlfriends. MMC’s goal is to have a platform that inspires Mahogany Mothers to pour into one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mahoganymotherscircle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahoganymotherscircle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mastery2GivingPurpose/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChHR5UpEzrTKxOrAg7SihAQ

Image Credits
Mahogany Mothers Circle Photographs