"Singleblackparents.com will address wholeness in mind, body, and spirit because that is what is required to raise children in this embattled and chaotic world. It is about our survival for future generations." -Sharon Leverett
Raising Our Children
"Life is not easy; good times are not promise, memories are not always perfect, but when you have beautiful children you love, respect, and would fight life to the end for, like I do, life creates a kind of paradise … and nothing else matters."
Sharon Leverett is the publisher of Singleblackparents.com. She resides in Brooklyn, New York and is the proud parent of a beautiful and productive student at the University of Pennsylvania.
Aminisha Black, a single parent and grandparent has written a column, "From the Parent's Notebook for over 20 years. She designs and facilitates parent workshops. Her most recent work is the seminar, "Home Works! Unleashing the genius of our children" designed to create family as team, making home a learning lab and a fun place to be.
Àjíké Kendrick, M.A. is a Life Coach & Leadership Consultant. Spiritry is her unique consulting business which provides individuals and organizations with cutting edge, spiritually-based leadership development services: life coaching, readings, seminars, weekend retreats, and meditation circles. Àjíké holds a M.A. from New York University where she concentrated in leadership development and women’s studies. She received her B.A. in International Relations from Shaw University in 1993.
Iyalorisha Amma Oloriwaa!, native Brooklynite, is the single mother of 3 amazing and accomplished children. She is a Lucumi priestess, the author of her soon to be published first non-fiction book, and the founder and director of the Egbe Iwa Odo’Kunrin*Egbe Iwa Odo’Binrin, Inc. Rites of Passage Program.
Callie Herd , native of Memphis TN, is a single parent of three children. She has a Bachelor of Art in Information Systems and an Associate degree in Business Data Processing. She is also a Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
James A. Graham is an associate professor at The College of New Jersey, Department of Psychology. He is the Coordinator of the Developmental Focus in Psychology. During the summer, he teaches graduate courses in child development and research methods in Johannesburg, South Africa. A native of Cincinnati, OH, Dr. Graham received a B.A. degree in Psychology from Miami University; and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Memphis.
DeBorah has been profiled in prominent publications for her home improvement and design expertise such as ESSENCE, SEVENTEEN, and Smart Money magazines. She has also been featured as the cover story for Single Parent magazine covering her life struggles and triumphs both as an inspirational single mother and a successful designer. For the 2005 NFL Pre-season, DeBorah was contracted as the head interior designer by The Washington REDSKINS and Microsoft for their joint project, The Ultimate Fan XPerience.
63% of African-American households are headed by a single parent
The overwhelming majority of these single parents are women
African American women represent a very dynamic market
They are upwardly mobile, making gains in education and income
Almost half of African American women have attended college (46 percent)
African American women are somewhat more likely than white women to work (63 percent vs 60 percent)
1 in 4 of those who are employed hold managerial or professional jobs
The median income of African American women has grown at a faster rate during the past two decades than that of women overall.
In a 2002 report Packaged Facts-a NYC based market researcher projected that the spending power of African American women would increase by 32% to 342 billion in 2006, up from 259 billion in 2001. By contrast, the total population’s spending power is projected to grow by 24% by 2007.—American Demographics, September 2003.
