Werk…like a MOTHA
Tiana
Meet Tiana Burnett, my TT. When I turned 18 she told me I didn't have to call her Aunt Tiana anymore and that I could just call her Tiana. I nicely told her that I would NOT be doing that. I intended on staying in a child's place so she graduated to "TT". I spent many a day at her house, watching her walk through motherhood in her BEST corporate baddie attire. A few times she brought me and my sister with her to work and to this day I still can't tell you what she did. All I know is she was an executive of some sort. She was the first woman in my life that I can recall being in a position mainly held by white men...and now she owns a Smoothie King with her husband, Ro, something she’s been wanting since 18! She's STILL werking like a MOTHA!
Werking prayer- At the start of our convo my jaw dropped when my aunt told me she always thought her motherhood journey would be with her as a foster mother. Growing up her mother often let folk stay with them-with a deadline of course- so fostering seemed like a good plan. But you know what they say about God and our plans. So when Big Fella laughed at her lil foster parent plan, and said we doing this the ol fashioned way, she had a very simple prayer…
Snapshots and Big Pictures- So fast forward a little and now shes in the process of buying a house because she was determined to give her daughter everything she had and more. This is a part of her story where she began to see God at work. Being a single mother opened the door for her to homeownership (this is a plug for you to check in with your city/state about first-time homebuyer programs) and the start of her plunge into real estate. TT shared with me what she calls “snapshots” of her life. Those moments where she had to make some sacrifices that would contribute to her big picture of working and mothering.
Reflections- Entrepreneurship, being a working woman and motherhood were all on Tiana’s bingo card. She wasn’t exactly sure how they would all pan out but one thing about it…sis had a PLAN! As a single mother, I really look up to my aunt. I HAD to know how she pulled it off! She reflects on her journey, what she may have changed or done differently, and how God really carried her through.
More Reflections and Sisterhood- a theme throughout our conversation was that my aunt did the best she could with what she had. She knew she could not be all she wanted to be and, push her daughter to be all she could be, without self-care and community.
A message- I wanted the women who have daughters to leave them a message. This is for Traci. And maybe for you too.
Werking definition- You know the drill by now. This is what it means to Tiana to WERK like a MOTHA…and as a working motha with 32 years in the game I think it’s pretty safe to say she knows what she’s talking about.
I actually made it throught this conversation without crying, which is a big deal because 1. I’m a cry baby and 2. this woman is a big deal to me. Ya’ll know I love my mama but our stories are so different. I only had a few single mothers (WERKING mothas) around me growing up so when I found mysef in the number I looked to my aunt(s) as references. I knew that I wanted a certain life for myself and my kid and I’m truly grateful to have had her to look to. Baby if I’ve learned nothing else from TT it’s this- have a plan and do what’s best for you and yours! I hope her story resonated with you in some way. If so…share it in the comments!
I love you, mean it- Ja’Nelle
To learn more about what Tiana is werking on, follow her at @tianaburnett11
