Meet Marpessa Allen | Mahogany Mothers Circle Founder | Community Collaboration Strategist

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

Hi Marpessa, what do you attribute your success to?
Mahogany Mothers Circle was created in response to the Covid pandemic in 2020. I myself had just given birth a few months prior. Even as a seasoned mother the adjustments were challenging. My daughter was born in October of 2019 before the lockdown in March of 2020 in state of Colorado.

As a connector in the Birth worker space, I noticed Black mothers/ birthers were looking for support systems. Mother circles and social gatherings were common place for white mother/ birther counterparts. This is when we noticed the sad difference in postpartum care for black mothers/birthers. We want to increase successful birth outcomes as well as after care.

Our obstacles due to a shut down affected black mothers/birthers in Colorado. As a Village Coordinator with the Sacred Seeds Birth worker Collective we received an influx of inquiries regarding black mother/ birthers social & support groups. In response, Mahogany Mothers Circle created a virtual space for any black mother (at all stages) to join a peer network.

Many people don’t understand how critical postpartum care is. Not just recovery care for the mother/ birther is important; it’s a family affair. The arrival of one little person creates a ripple effect of adjustment for the entire support eco-system.

Mahogany Mothers Circle wants to be a part of the support system. We believe that you can never have
enough support. We connect with our Mahogany Moms through social media, the Mahogany Circle podcast, social gatherings, topic brunches, and much more.

Mahogany Mothers Circle is grounded in organic collaboration. Many of the guests are direct resources and/or advocates. Topics in 2022 covered Home safety, Confidence, Homeownership, Cannabis education, and Plant-based nutrition.

We are starting to grow our collaboration efforts with the Sacred Seeds Birth worker Collective, the Birthing Squad, Seasons Midwifery Birth Center, Leaf411.org, Mamabird Maternity Spa, and the Power to the People Creative Project. Each of these organizations stand for black maternal health and increasing better health outcomes for black mothers/ birthers. The black infant mortality continues to be significantly lower than white mother/ birther counterparts. Black birth support is key; mind body and spirit.

Mahogany Mothers Circle was founded by Doulas, and have recently expanded to Breastfeeding educators, and Birth Support experts.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For many years I did not know how to peg my creative endeavors. My passions range from abstract to poetry. I love art. It has an ability to provoke individual thought and progressive dialogue. My favorite artist is Romare Beardon because his juxtaposition spoke to me. I felt his art.

I graduated from Hinkley high school. I was a part of a high level track called the International Baccalaureate program. I took a high level art class. At the end of the year I had an art show displaying my original pieces. The pieces were multi media and heavily influenced by Spike Lee, Romare Beardon; and Hip
Hop Culture. Now that I am a mother of teenagers I have a deeper understanding of the importance to connection. Mahogany Mothers Circle is a reflection of community dialogue, beauty, and appreciation for black motherhood.

The way that I make the connection is through consistent community engagement, social circles, education initiatives and ARTivism.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m starting to have a greater appreciation for being a native to Colorado. I live in Aurora and my grandparents lived in Denver. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents and eating together was an important fixture on both sides of the family. With that being said we loved to go out to eat and explore the beautiful state of Colorado. I’ve fished with my Dad in the Cherry Creek Reservoir. We’ve road our bikes on the High line canal throughout the city. I would recommend running or walking in the Bubble Run 5k. I also like to go downtown to the Art Museum and the 16th Street mall. It’s still nostalgic for me.

I recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Goodness on the roof of Bar Standard. I like to Salsa dance at the LaRumba. I love to sit and watch the Boulder Creek. I love concerts on a hill at the Levitt Pavilion. I am missing many destinations, but these show my range in taste.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve come to call the people and organizations that we work with as Purpose Partners. I mentioned them before but they are worth mentioning a thousand times. The Sacred Seeds Birth worker collective is a hub for black doula support & community resources. Mamabird Wellness Spa centers black mothers/ birthers in the health and wellness space. Leaf 411.org is a trusted medical resource for Cannabis education. Seasons Midwifery Birth Center for partnering for Birth center tours & birth support education. Power to the People Creative Project for centering black maternal health through community art expression; and the Doula Con for holding space for black doulas in Colorado at the 1st Annual event.

Website: www.MahoganyMothersCircle.com

Instagram: @Mahoganycircle

Facebook: Mahogany Mothers Circle

Youtube: Mahogany Mothers Circle

Image Credits
Mahogany Mothers Circle