A full time stay at home Mama who is also the founder of The Soul Of A Mother.
My name is Anissa Maeva and I have two beautiful children along with an urge to create, have something of my own, and give myself and others a community based on their unique experiences of Brown Skin Motherhood. My identity changed tremendously for many reasons - a career pause from a company I was with for 6+ years, having my first child during the height of covid, and also finding myself with a passion of holistic health. I felt for many reasons that I had to expand on my creativity and the need to see motherhood from my view and something that resonated.
We are based out of Oceanside, CA and wouldn't have it any other way - it holds so many important places, things, and memories that ignite the most creativity for me. My city is a big chunk of my identity outside of being a mother because I am 4th generation in this city, I have 60+ relatives here (and more in many many other places), and the mixture of ethnicities and backgrounds here are so powerful. I have been exposed to many different walks of life and love anything multi-faceted just like me. I am Spanish, Mexican, and Samoan - and needed something for my Chicanas, Island Girls, and every other shade of BROWN girls.
For me - I am a Woman, Mother, Soon to be Wife, Daughter, Granddaughter, Sister, Nina, Cousin, Aunty, and Friend. I am so incredibly family oriented and hold every single one of those titles close to my heart. I want to see representation of my people because they are all so beautiful and amazing.
I think where my life is currently...it is so hard to imagine putting time in elsewhere but the thought of staying up way past when I should be to create and hit deadlines does not scare me anymore - Not having something that isn't mine or too much time away from my family is my new fear. So I want to invite you on this journey where we can create a beautiful community for Mothers of Color and their beautiful families.
Why? The space is already so small for motherhood and that has to change - but the motherhood I see is typically very soft, geared more towards the non-melanated, and definitely not in an affordable lifestyle. In this blog I want to help people find resources, give great information, and share some laughs and maybe some tears along the way. I really hope that you stick around and even share your experiences as well.
With Love,
The Soul Of A Mother