BE-IMAGINATIVE

We are a collection of artists, healers, and activists dedicated to healing black and brown communities through multidimensional storytelling. We aim to #DisruptHopelessness.

Embracing Motherhood: Empowering Narratives of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion this Mother's Day

May 10, 2024  /  Ayesha Walker

Photo courtesy of Smeeta Mahanti

During this Mother’s Day season, I find myself in a delicate dance between caring for my precious newborn daughter, guiding my energetic 9-year-old son, and cherishing the memories of my angel twin babies through the endeavors of BE-IMAGINATIVE. My work with BE-IMAGINATIVE stems directly from motherhood. As we hold space for grief, we also continue our mission to honor the lives and legacies of our loved ones and the precious lives of our new children. Now, reentering the realm of leadership following a short maternity leave, I embrace this profound journey with gratitude, vision, and determination.

BE-IMAGINATIVE, established in collaboration with SOL Development, is an Emmy Award-winning organization committed to nurturing communities in grief through the power of imaginative storytelling. We are artists, healers, and community leaders practicing various art forms, including music, film, painting, and more, to curate and document our sanctuaries for healing. We capture our transformative journeys, weaving narratives of empowerment to resonate globally. At our core lies a belief in the profound understanding that true healing is realized by embracing life's interconnectedness and fullness.

Transitioning back to work post-baby is a profound yet challenging journey, especially for parents and caregivers navigating workplace dynamics that often overlook the needs of their children. In Western society, children are too often seen merely as interruptions, failing to recognize their inherent power and brilliance. This perception has led to missed opportunities for me and our organization, as accommodations for children are often limited or nonexistent.

Photo courtesy of Smeeta Mahanti

Photo courtesy of Pinterest, by Dustin Young

I think of the powerful leaders who, in striving to create a better world for others, must leave their own children to navigate life independently. The sacrifices made are too large and the risk too great, often compromising what should be non-negotiable priorities. My son's heartfelt comment, expressing his longing to spend more time with me, highlights the impact of demanding work schedules on family life. While disheartening, it emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize our children's well-being alongside our professional commitments.

I mean, indigenous cultures worldwide have always embraced a holistic approach to childcare, where children are often carried on their caregivers' backs as they engage in work and daily activities. This traditional practice beautifully embodies the interconnectedness of family life and work, recognizing the importance of nurturing and including children in daily responsibilities. It stands in strong contrast to the Western perception of children as disruptions in professional settings. We can always lean into indigenous wisdom because it offers valuable insights into cultivating supportive environments that honor both work commitments and family life.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest, by Dustin Young

Within our organization, BE-IMAGINATIVE, we refuse to compartmentalize ourselves, to shrink our roles as parents to fit into societal norms of leaving our children behind so that we can serve others. We advocate for spaces that honor the fullness of the human experience.

So when BE-IMAGINATIVE was offered to become a Pinterest Impact Partner and participate in Pinterest Impact Lab, a capacity-strengthening program for emerging stage organizations in partnership with Raise for Good, I recognized the significance of fully committing to this partnership. The Pinterest Impact Lab experience ended with an in-person gathering called “Community Coaching Day,” facilitating networking and collaboration among leaders, funders, and community members. I was excited to participate. However, I hesitated as a new mother preparing to return to work. With limited breast milk and my baby girl yet to experience time away from me, I refused even to imagine leaving her. On that particular day, I was ready to stay home, prioritizing my role as a mother. 

Photo courtesy of Smeeta Mahanti

 
“...we refuse to compartmentalize ourselves, to shrink our roles as parents to fit into societal norms of leaving our children behind...”
— Ayesha Walker

I seriously considered not attending, especially because it meant parting with my new baby. However, with unwavering support from my family and close friends, I felt empowered to go. After advocating for baby and me, the teams at Pinterest and Raise for Good went above and beyond, ensuring accommodations for my baby, me, and even my best friend — a fellow mother — who joined to assist with childcare during the Community Coaching Day. They created nurturing spaces for nursing, prioritized my comfort, and extended heartfelt hospitality. The overwhelming warmth and encouragement from attendees, applauding my decision to have my baby with me, filled me with so much gratitude. One woman even called me a badass mom for bringing my baby alongside me.

Photo courtesy of Michael Fu

On this Mother’s Day, I choose to amplify a crucial truth: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are far more than fancy words used to fulfill corporate quotas. They represent a profound opportunity for embracing the richness of the human journey and dismantling systemic barriers that marginalize individuals. This imperative extends far beyond the realm of parents and caregivers reentering the workforce. We must urge businesses to adopt inclusive practices that celebrate diverse identities from the outset and integrate them consistently.

With your support BE-IMAGINATIVE thrives as a collective of artists, healers and community leaders who are dedicated to healing black and brown communities through creative storytelling. Together we can #DISRUPTHOPELESSNESS.