Interview with Janitza Vasquez on Black Motherhood

Motherhood is beautiful and every mother deserves to be one happy mama. Yet, young Black mothers in the South face many challenges including potential health issues, limited economic opportunities, low community support, and intimate partner violence.

Unfortunately, poverty, housing insecurity, or lack of access to supportive services can increase the chances of intimate partner violence.

For instance, on May 11, 2023, New Orleans mother of two, Asia Davis, was violently murdered by her boyfriend– three days before Mother’s Day and on her daughter’s birthday.

“Asia was one of nine women killed in New Orleans in less than seven weeks between April 20 and June 2. All of them were Black and victims of gun violence. Eight of them were mothers. Some of them, like 33-year-old Sully Simmons, were killed in front of their children,” according to The 19th News.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline’s Louisiana report states that out of 1,967 callers, 44% ranged from ages 18-33, and 42% were African American. New Orleans ranked as the top caller at 20%. In addition, 51% of the state-reported calls involved children.

Due to structural inequalities like generational trauma, gentrification, displacement, and systemic neglect, Janitza Vasquez founded One Happy Mama. The organization supports young Black mothers in New Orleans with mentoring, communal programming, and holistic family support.

In just three years, One Happy Mama conducted 50 workshops and field trips, mentored 40 young mothers, distributed $45,000 worth of diapers, and raised over $20,000 in financial assistance.

The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Vasquez to discuss Black motherhood in New Orleans, One Happy Mama’s community impact, and their upcoming Black Maternal Health Week Block Party.