great single
mothers produce
genius sons
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photo by steed media service
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here’s why kelly williams started
singlemamahood.com
Kelly Williams has had a plethora of life experiences. Professionally, she’s been a television news reporter, an author and a Century 21 SGR realtor. But her proudest achievement wasn’t tied to her exceptional résumé, it was an unexpected blessing she received 21 years ago — she became a mom. Putting her career on hold to take care of her young son, Williams lived on both coasts and many points in between, dealing with the challenges of being a single mother. It is those experiences that inspired Williams to found the helpful and informative SingleMamahood.com to provide insight and support for single mothers like her.
“[The site was] founded a little over a year ago,” Williams explains. “Single moms often feel like they’re alone and that no one else is dealing with the kind of issues they’re dealing with.” The Web site reminds single moms that they’re not alone. “They can ask questions without revealing who they are, and I give them advice.” Williams authored the book Single Mamahood and honored single mothers with a tea party and awards ceremony in December 2007.
“I love giving advice and helping our communities,” says Williams. “I believe the only way we’re going to be able to save the next generation of our children is for all of us to reach out and help one another.” Her son, Winston, is now a Morehouse student studying in Ecuador, and Williams’ life is a testament to her strength. “This is my ministry. I think we’re all blessed in different ways and I think going through what I went through as a single mom … was what I was meant to do. I feel blessed.”
-todd williams
Wine Kid
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photo by steed media service
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It takes a village to raise a child …
In hopes that child may one day raise his village,
Escape the pain and pillage and shape his people’s existence,
Change the landscape with direction and assistance,
A child is a grape and the village the vineyard,
Wine you must create though the estate is often hindered,
History waits for you to raise the next King,
Martin Malcolm or Marcus into this world you may bring,
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photo by steed media service
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So our mothers are the vines and to them we cling,
With our ears to their hearts — they lift their souls and sing,
Til’ earth and heaven ring we soar on their wings,
Without them to nurse our anger and our violent screams,
Grapes wrinkle into raisins like dying dreams,
Without a man to teach us love — it is easy to hate,
The father who thought his only job was to procreate,
So steer us to be strong as men and stand straight,
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Teach us not to settle for anything less than great …
Show us the cycle we should break and who to appreciate,
Ignite our flames and direct our aims,
Teach us to accept blame but never remain in shame,
That love and lust are far from one in the same,
To respect our women for from women we came,
Teach us responsibility — identity and pride,
To look for traits of our mothers when we chose our bride,
Besides all of this, never push us aside …
And remember you are the rock and in you we confide,
You held us as babies and in your arms we cried,
For we knew even then — with the world we would collide,
We know you’re not perfect and promise to understand,
That you’re a wounded black queen doing the best you can,
If at times it’s too tough to turn water into wine,
Remember that the daughters of God are divine.
Take pride in the task to which you’ve been assigned.
Single mother — keep the faith, and in time you’ll find
You can produce a “wine kid” — just like mine did.
–t. winston shaw, Morehouse College junior
This poem can be found in Shaw’s book, Almost A Poet. It’s currently available for $10.00 at Morehouse’s Book Store, and later on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.
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