Brown Mama Bear

Everything costs more these days! Between groceries, gas, household expenses, and the holidays right around the corner, many parents are wondering how to make their money stretch without sacrificing the experiences that make family life special. But financial wellness isn't just about making a budget and sticking to it. It's also about understanding our relationship with money, navigating real eco...

What does it cost a Black girl to be accepted in spaces where she feels she must constantly prove that she belongs? For actress and playwright Zakiya Young, growing up as a "suburban Black girl" meant learning how to navigate predominantly white spaces through code-switching, assimilation, and becoming what she describes as the "non-threatening" Black girl. But what happens when fitting in require...

What if the greatest advantage of attending an HBCU has nothing to do with Homecoming? Every October, HBCU culture takes center stage. The bands, the step shows, the reunions, and the unmistakable energy of Homecoming remind us why Historically Black Colleges and Universities hold such a special place in Black culture. And with renewed attention on A Different World, there's even more excitement s...

What if helping our children succeed in school starts with making sure they believe they belong there? In this episode of Brown Mama Bear, host Shanera Williamson sits down with Steph Jones, better known as The Scholarship Bestie, to talk about what Black children need to thrive in school—and how families can find the financial resources to help them pursue their college dreams. With more than 20...

Episode 200! Two hundred episodes of The Brown Mama Bear Podcast. Y'all, this one feels BIG. In this milestone episode, I'm celebrating a little—and then I'm getting into a conversation I couldn't keep to myself. When Nikole Hannah-Jones published her widely discussed essay, "In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own," it sparked a larger conversation about school choice, educational...

What happens when we intentionally give our children a connection to Black history, culture, music, and community? Host Shanera Williamson sits down with educator, author, and founder Claudia Walker for a conversation about the many ways we can help Black children know who they are and understand the richness of where they come from. Claudia first joined the Brown Mama Bear Podcast to talk about h...

Have you ever looked at something and thought, "Am I the only one seeing this?" If you're a Black parent, you may have had that reaction to some of the viral advertising and products we've seen recently—from Converse and Target to American Eagle. What happens when our children encounter images and messages rooted in a history they may not yet understand. Host Shanera Williamson talks about why Bla...

This week on The Brown Mama Bear Podcast, Host Shanera Williamson talks with Dr. Vincent Windrow about his powerful and deeply personal book, Some Days Aren't So Sunny: Jot-Downs From My Mental Health Journey. Dr. Windrow is a leader, pastor, educator, husband, father, and someone who has spent decades pouring into other people. But behind all of those roles was a man navigating grief, mental heal...

Host Shanera Williamson helps parents start a new school year with some wisdom from her own life. Years ago, when her 20-something daughter was in middle school, a classroom discussion went from the subject of math to the teacher's thoughts on a current event. It was the first time her daughter remembers navigating a teacher's bias. Hear the story and the 3 lessons learned about the "extra load" m...

Advocacy isn't about being loud, aggressive, or having all the right words. Advocacy is often an act of love — showing up, speaking up, and standing firm for our children even when it feels uncomfortable or exhausting. In today's episode, Shanera reframes advocacy as a daily practice rooted in care, preparation, and connection. She explores how advocacy shows up in schools, healthcare spaces, and...

Host Shanera Williamson sits down for a conversation with TV host and producer Jerome Moore about the art of storytelling and the responsibility he feels to tell narratives that help others go beyond the stereotypes that are so pervasive in our world.  Jerome Moore is an author, speaker and the creator of the award-winning podcast Deep Dish Conversations.  He draws on his years on volunteerism wit...

On this episode, host Shanera Williamson sits down for an interesting conversation with Kayla Bond, a Licensed Certified Social Worker and Clinical (LCSW-C) Maryland State Board Approved Supervisor with 7+ years of experience and founder of Hope & Harmony services.  Kayla coaches rising social workers and professional counselors.  Recently, she's also helped parents learn from her years of clinica...

As a new year begins, many of us are setting intentions, choosing a word for the year, or trying to build new habits. In this solo episode, Shanera shares the three pillars that can guide your parenting and personal life this year: Wellness, Education, and Advocacy. From prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual health… to teaching Black history beyond what's covered in schools…  this episode i...

Host Shanera Williamson talks with children's author Nikki McPhetridge about the themes of play, friendship and celebration and how they show up in her new book Maya's Birthday Wish.  Just before the holidays, this is the perfect time to consider the role celebrations play in passing down values and traditions in families.   Connect with Nikki McPhetridge and Maya's Story Land: Website , Facebook...

Host Shanera Williamson talks with Maryland couple Shari Bailey and Michael Nash about their personal journey of parenting twins with very different lived experiences.  One daughter was born with Jacobson Syndrome and the other was not.  Together, this couple leverages their professional skills to create products and solutions to help other special needs families.   Connect with Zigglebee: Website...

Host Shanera Williamson talks with Certified Financial Planner Reshell Smith, the founder and CEO of AMES Financial Solutions, a firm that specifically helps women in transition maximize their wealth and build a family legacy.  In this episode, Smith shares practical advise for having a financially responsible Christmas.  During these difficult financial times, she's the voice we need to help us m...

Host Shanera Williamson talks with the founder and CEO of Time Managed, LLC, a full-service concierge and personal assistant business.  As a wife, mom and graduate of Goldman Sachs' One Million Black Women in Business program, Monee Williams shares her organizing secrets just in time for the holidays.   Connect with Monee Williams and Time Managed LLC: Website , Facebook , hello@timemanagedllc.com...

From Step Shows to Scholarship Galas, Homecoming at an HBCU is more than an event.  It's a whole vibe.  Host Shanera Williamson takes a moment to honor the tradition and gives suggestions on how families can make the most of the traditions and legacy of HBCUs to foster appreciation for our history.   Connect with Shanera and Brown Mama Bear: Facebook , Instagram , Website   Make sure you share Bro...

Host Shanera Williamson talks with the co-creator of Black Boy Therapy, Nick Young.  As a therapist, pastor and mental health advocate, Young helps parents and educators recognize and address indications of mental stress in black boys.  Listen in for tips and encouragement on how you can help the young African American males in your life thrive.   Connect with Nick Young and Black Boy Therapy: Web...

Host Shanera Williamson reveals the story behind her new Mother/Daughter journal.  When daughter, Lauren, was a tween, Shanera wrote notes that eventually sparked a deeper connection for the pair.  The new Brown Mama Bear Mother/Daughter Journal is a 90-Day experience intended to help other Mothers and Daughters communicate more effectively.  The Journal will be available soon. To be the first to...

Host Shanera Williamson talks about how to help children develop friendships that are reciprocal and healthy. In her relaxed style, this mom of 3 daughters shares some of her own story of helping her kids recognize positive friendship traits.  In her no-nonsense approach, Shanera also helps you notice red flags that can signal toxic relationships may be brewing.  Listen in and consider how you can...

Host Shanera Williamson talks about one way to keep the lines of communication open with your kids.  The Brown Mama Bear Journal is a new offering that will be available soon.  Before it's debut, Shanera gives listeners a sneak preview about how the journey can help you stay connected as your child goes through adolescence and beyond.   Connect with Shanera and Brown Mama Bear: Facebook , Instagra...

In this conversation, Shanera Williamson and Guerlandy Honore discuss the critical role of identity in children's learning, the importance of parental involvement, and the creation of educational resources that reflect Black children's experiences. They explore how hair serves as a significant aspect of identity and how parents can proactively support their children's education, especially in pred...

Host Shanera Williamson looks at how our parenting is affected by current events.  Today, she talks about the recent deployment of The National Guard in some of our cities creates an environment that can be unsafe for black people, specifically young black men and immigrants regardless of their immigration status.   Mentioned: Brown Mama Bear podcast Episode 157 : Black History in Wilmington: Less...

Host Shanera Williamson gives practical suggestions on how parents can build a positive racial identity in their kids to last beyond the first few weeks of a new school year.  Listen in for ways to give your children strong roots that give them stability and resilience.   Connect with Shanera and Brown Mama Bear: Facebook , Instagram , Website   Make sure you share Brown Mama Bear with at least 3...