We had the good fortune of connecting with Imaan Ennis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Imaan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, starting Matrescence never felt like a business decision—it felt like a calling. Growing up with a single Black mother in a country that was not hers, I saw how much she sacrificed and how little support she had. Later, when I moved to Colorado and had my own pregnancy, I realized I was living some of those same struggles, even with the support of my husband. What struck me most was not just the lack of resources and knowledge that they even existed, but the lack of community. So many Black women here are transplants without family nearby, and it leaves mothers carrying their postpartum journey in isolation, at a time when they need connection and care the most.

Initially, I thought becoming a doula would be enough to make a difference, but I quickly realized the gaps were too big for one person to fill. What Black mothers really needed was something larger—a safe space created for us and by us, one that truly honors our experiences and our culture. Audre Lorde once said, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” That quote stays with me, because when it comes to health equity, we cannot expect the very systems that were never built for us to suddenly heal us. We have to build our own, rooted in our own wisdom and strength.

That is how Matrescence was born. For me, it’s not just a nonprofit organization—it’s a movement to rewrite the narrative of Black motherhood. Instead of stories defined by struggle, neglect, and loss, we’re creating stories of empowerment, community, wellness, and joy.

Matrescence is my answer to that calling, and my way of turning pain into purpose so that Black women, our children, and generations to come can thrive.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets Matrescence apart is the way we weave creativity and healing together with maternal support. We believe wellness isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, spiritual, and generational. That’s why we created Flow, our artistic and creative expression workshops, which give Black mothers and families space to process, heal, and celebrate themselves through art, storytelling, and culture.

I’m especially proud that our commitment to pouring back into our community shows up in everything we do. Every contractor and vendor we hire is a Black-owned business, and we’re now bringing in our very first “kidpreneur” to work at an upcoming event. For me, that represents generational wealth in action—showing our children that they, too, belong in these spaces of leadership and creativity.

The journey here hasn’t been easy. Being a Black-led organization that names our community directly means we’ve faced resistance and rejection. But we’ve stayed the course because this work is our calling. The lesson I’ve learned is that impact comes when you stay rooted in your truth and let your community guide you. What I want the world to know is that Matrescence isn’t just a support hub—it’s a movement, rewriting the story of Black motherhood through care, creativity, and community. And the best part, we’ve only just begun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food:
Reggae Pot
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings

Things to do:
Great Plains park in the summer (fun for children)
Garden of the Gods
Food Festivals
Idaho Springs Hike

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my Matrescence team and board for keeping the vim and vigor, to the Matrescence in Black Facebook community for guiding our steps, to the contracted doulas who have held space and mothered our mothers, to our community partners and donors who have fueled our mission, to my husband and mother for the love support and encouragement, and to my son for always reminding me of my purpose.

Website: https://www.embracematrescence.com

Other: Online Facebook Community Matrescence in Black

(Safe Space for Black women)

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19UxpoYqpU/

Image Credits
The Female Shoota (Personal Photo)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.