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Working Moms Create A Safe Indoor Space For Parents and Children to Bond Over Fun and Creativity with Little Play Society

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — Working Moms, Latanya Foster-Phillips and Teree Henderson have teamed up, bringing the love of their babies and motherhood to the forefront to welcome Little Play Society to Los Angeles.

Published

5 years ago

August 25, 2019

Oakland Post

Latanya Foster-Phillips and Teree Henderson (Courtesy photo)

By Saybin Roberson

Working Moms, Latanya Foster-Phillips and Teree Henderson have teamed up, bringing the love of their babies and motherhood to the forefront to welcome Little Play Society to Los Angeles.

One of first of its kind, Little Play Society (LPS) is a community-driven indoor play, creative, and social space for mothers and their children. Created to provide a communal space for parents to play with their children beyond parks and the home, as well as providing a space for parents to find a safe space for parents of young children.

In November of 2018, the ladies attended an event focused on Black mothers in L.A., and felt that something was missing in the city focused on mother-baby interaction, from there they conceptualized LPS.

“It was really in that moment we decided to do it ourselves,” Henderson says, adding, “We knew that the need was there and we knew the need wasn’t being met.”

Their determination and perseverance have since brought to Mid-City the multipurpose space in just eight months. Picking Mid-City as the location to provide a space for children, that too was missing from the area.

“We knew what we needed to do to get it done, so we just did it,” Henderson stated.

LPS will feature programmed classes including art, interactive story-time, dance, and music and movement classes for children. As mothers, both feel inclusion and socialization are important for young children, another natural service provided by LPS.

“I personally think it’s pretty important to expose your kids to different environments, different people, a lof to different things as early as you feel comfortable because that’s how they learn,” Foster-Phillips expresses, adding, “our goal is to help offer a space that kids can come in and start to socialize with other babies and toddlers.”

In efforts to make the space open for all, parents can also attend programs designed for new mothers and more. LPS will also include childbirth education and postnatal support groups led by professional doulas

“It’s more about getting the parents in and having them along with their kids have a space they can grow and commune in a safe and proactive environment,” Henderson explains.

The motto and mission, “cultivating creativity and community through play” aligns with the concept, grounding the founders as they progress each day. “It’s been a definite labor of love,” Foster-Phillips states.

As graduates of Howard University, Foster-Phillips from Detroit and Henderson from Washington, D.C. have made L.A. their home for both work and family. As mothers of toddlers, the working mothers have now added entrepreneurs to the list of duties.

“Some days are harder than others,” Foster-Phillips says, continuing to say, “I think we’re kinda just happy to be able to do all three.”

Inspired by their boys, both Henderson and Foster-Phillips are excited to be able to manifest their dreams and continue to be mothers, backed by amazing support systems and joy for what they are creating.

Henderson adding, “This is just a testament that moms can do anything!”

Little Play Society is open Monday through Friday. Options to reserve private play for two-hour blocks are available every day Monday through Thursday, with free play on Fridays. LPS also launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand and grow the mission to best benefit children and their parents.

To find out more about Little Play Society visit littleplaysociety.com and follow @LittlePlaySociety on Instagram. For more information on the crowdfunding campaign please visit https://ifundwomen.com/projects/little-play-society.

This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org