Pamela Spencer de la Fuente
Pamela de la Fuente is a proud native of Flint, Michigan. She moved to Kansas City in 2003 to work at The Kansas City Star. Since then, she’s bought two houses, gotten married, worked at some other KC companies, and had a couple of kids. She is a La Leche League leader (Ask her about breastfeeding!), a mom of two, and a professional writer and editor. Pamela loves big and small adventures with her family, sampling craft beer with her husband, David, and eating ice cream all year round.
Moms’ Guide to KC Oktoberfest
Before I met my husband, I was strictly a Miller Lite, Boulevard Wheat kinda girl. Then he introduced me to the world of full-flavor saisons, farmhouses, stouts and oktoberfests. There was (almost) no going...
Mom’s Guide to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City
You've probably heard of baseball great Satchel Paige, but what about Cool Papa Bell? Judy Johnson? Josh Gibson?
There is so much Black Excellence on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, I can't even...
How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting in Kansas or Missouri
When I was preparing for an IEP meeting before my daughter started kindergarten, I will admit, I had no idea what I was doing.
I didn't understand the goals, or the jargon. I asked people...
Postpartum Doulas in Kansas City
How do you find a a postpartum doula in Kansas City and why would you need one? Well, if you’re a mom or mom-to-be, you’ve probably heard, “sleep when the baby sleeps.”
Easier said than...
My Daughter on the Spectrum is Amazing In All Ways, For Always
I have so many dreams for you, my sweet girl. One big dream? I don’t want you to tiptoe through life. I want you to ROAR.
Because you are going to face challenges as a...
Ketanji Brown Jackson Perseveres, Like All Black Women
"Perseverance is in our DNA." A Hallmark Mahogany writer penned that when I still worked there, and it's now on a card. It instantly came to mind as I listened to Ketanji Brown Jackson's...
Racism Still Exists in The Classroom
It’s Black History Month and I really didn’t want to write about racism. If I was going to write anything, I wanted to write about Black joy.
But recently, my son’s principal called and said...
Plan a Couples Getaway This Year
Parents out there, you need a break. I know you don't need me to tell you that.Last January, I wrote about little ways to find self-care, and I still believe in those suggestions. But...
Motown Christmas, Mahogany Cards, and Mac ‘n’ Cheese — COVID Can’t Steal My Christmas...
You can’t take my joy, COVID.
Despite getting the vaccines and boosters (thank you, science) we were waiting for, there’s still so much we’re all not doing this Christmas But I’m not going to dwell...
A Sweet Saturday at the Fun Farm
This post is sponsored by Fun Farm. Pick your strawberries through June 15!
I’m in the middle of a big move, but I have been trying to make sure my kids get out of our...
My Son Doesn’t Love Dogs. And That’s OK.
I walk my son to kindergarten most mornings. One day after I dropped him off, a mom and her dog walked over to me and said, “Your son is afraid of dogs, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I...
Let’s Celebrate the Beauty and Joy of Black Motherhood
I’m a Black mom. It’s not always easy, for lots of reasons, systemic racism and unconscious bias against our children being two biggies. But I’m not here to focus on that today.
It’s Black History...
Self Care: Reclaiming My Me-Time
I miss my me-time. I bet a lot of you out there miss yours, too.
I started a remote job in late August. And even though I chose to be remote so I could easily pick...
5 Children’s Books with Characters of Color
In the spring, even before the anti-racism movement went mainstream, I was another Black mom looking for diverse children's books. We have some at home, but I was trying to get my 5-year-old ready...
I Keep Nursing for Two Reasons — Cuddles and COVID-19
In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, I have a confession to make. Well, make that two. First confession: I am still breastfeeding my 2 ½-year-old daughter. Second confession: I’m kind of over it.I know...
