My name is Kenisha and I am a millennial boy mom. I am a full time working mom who loves to take on multiple things that make me happy. Sometimes I think to myself, what did I get myself into with all of the endeavors?
About Me
By day you will find me as a child welfare trainer for the state of Michigan for new child welfare workers. Within my job, I actively try to dismantle the disparities of black and brown youth in the child welfare system. Every child deserves a loving home.
By night, I am a social media guru, working to promote my small calligraphy business, Lettering By Kenisha. This is what I do to get my stress out and make others happy with my handwriting. What started as a hobby has led into some amazing opportunities.Â
If you have a conversation with any one of my friends or family, they will tell you that my passion lies in the anti-racism work and spaces that I create. I am an activist, an advocate, and striving to be a transformational leader. It is more than just a professional journey for me. This a personal journey, to make sure that I am transferring the knowledge that I learn to the people around me personally and professionally. I want them to join this journey too. If I can make space for myself at the table to have the conversation, you will find me there. I make it a point to continuously share facts across anti-racism and inclusivity on my social media every day. I listen to a new podcast every week or start my day reading and learning from my Anti-Racism Daily email.Â
Outside of this work, when the clock hits 7:30 p.m. and my toddler is put down to bed, you will find me binging pretty much every new show on Netflix. You might also find me rewatching old episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill and eating takis (healthy, I know). I am addicted to true crime shows and podcasts. I love pop-culture, and you can come to me for all of your Real Housewives of Atlanta gossip.Â
For the longest time as a working mom, I struggled with self-care. My career was my priority and my home life suffered. Over time, I have learned that it cannot be the way of life. I started to make changes and the first big change was therapy – I LOVE MY THERAPIST! I have been seeing her for five years. She knows me and tells me exactly what I need to hear to put me in my place. Self-care is so important to me!
Outside of therapy, I love to hand-letter, read, listen to podcasts, and buy new custom fun glasses. Just last weekend, I went to see a movie, in IMAX, by myself! It was glorious.
About My Family
My boys are Jaxson (three) and Victor (nine). A complete and total boy mom. I am in an interracial relationship with my partner Matthew. There are obstacles that my family may have to endure that may be slightly different then others. I am a BIPOC, biracial woman, and my partner is a white male. We have two biracial children who present as white. I have had times when I have been asked If I was the nanny, or if the boys were mine. It just leads me to want to have the conversations of acceptance with my children so they understand they may have a privilege outside of other children of color, but they must accept that they are not to use that as an advantage, but as a way to advocate for inclusivity.
I grew up in the thumb, in Port Huron, Michigan, and come from a generational traumatic childhood. When I was a young teen, I met my husband, and we were married when I was 19. We have been married for 13 years and our relationship only gets stronger (cliche, I know), but it is true.
When we married, we moved across the country to California where we lived our best lives in the mountains for three years until we ran out of money. We decided that it was time to move back to Michigan. When we moved back, several months later we were pregnant with Victor.
We now reside with our family in Ypsilanti Township, which is perfect for our little family. Ypsi was our choice because of the diversity of the neighborhoods and the schools. Also, my husband works in Ann Arbor, so it was close for him as well (although we are both still remote until at least next year).
We love the parks and the trails around this area. We spend time at Rolling Hills park here and visit the Ford Lake parks when we have a chance to as well. My husband and I love any Asian food, so Ypsi also has wonderful restaurants that offer Vietnamese food and Thai food, our favorites.
Where The Journey Will Go
I am so excited about joining this community. I have so many topics that I cannot wait to dive into. Things like overcoming generational trauma, anything to do with being a working mom and balancing life, going for your goals, opening that small business, applying for that big job, or applying to create for one of your absolute favorite blog communities.
I want to let moms know that they are not just a label of a mom, there is more – you all have passions, goals, and dreams. Being a mom can be that dream, you are a goal-getter, a multi-tasker, an achiever, a friend, a partner, AND a Detroit MOM. 😊
