Donyale Walton was accustomed to “slaying it.”
Young, attractive and talented, the Flint native jumped into the New York fashion scene with both feet, gaining corporate experience with such known brands as Brooks Brothers.
When she returned to Michigan the slaying – impressively succeeding in goals and in life – continued. She took jobs at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, adding to 10 years of impressive resume building. But in 2017 Walton hit a slump.
“When I became pregnant I felt like I was losing my personality,” she says. “I felt like I was turning into someone other than who I wanted to be.”
Her friend Jaquail Lewis understood. Relying on each other for comfort as they balanced their individuality and family obligations, the pair realized they weren’t alone and opened Mama Slays Facebook page to invite and share support.
On May 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Walton and Lewis will launch the “Mothers Slay Brunch,” the group’s first real-time social gathering, at Ferris Wheel, 615 Saginaw St.
The brunch is an outgrowth of the Facebook page’s popularity, evidenced by 2,100 mothers who’ve joined the group in less than a year. Predominantly Flint residents and Flint natives, the women share everything from advice about getting infants to sleep through the night to reminders to take care of themselves – wisdom Walton, 30, says they often need.
“We saw it was something that happens quite frequently with other moms,” she says.
Lewis is a more experienced parent with six children she and her husband share from previous relationships as well as two of their own.
“When we came together we kind of offered both perspectives,” Walton says. “There are a lot of new moms who can relate to what I’m going through, and then there are more seasoned moms who can relate to what she’s going through.”
Regardless of status, Mama Slays goal is to help mothers strike a healthy balance between the attention they give their own needs and the energy they devote to others.
Featuring music, food and vendors, the “Mothers Slay Brunch” will also include a panel of women sharing their personal advice and recommendations with guests. Dr. Sierra Cuthpurt, author Ashley Antoinette, and Catrina Tillman, co-founder of the recent GoGetHER conference, are scheduled panelists. TheHUB will sponsor a photo shoot for guests.
Beyond the brunch, which will be a networking opportunity for the social media group, a long-term goal for Mama Slays is to establish products and services for mothers.
Walton says the brunch isn’t limited to mothers. All guests are welcome.
“The conversation about self-care really applies to everyone,” she says.
Tickets are available at slaybrunch.eventbrite.com and may also be purchased at the event. For more information, visit mamaslays.com.
Flint moms will learn to ‘slay it’ at May 5 brunch added by E.B. Allen on
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