On a sunny Saturday morning, Alicia parked her car at a quiet suburban park. After weeks of work and long hours, she finally had a free day to spend with her children. Her kids ran ahead excitedly toward the playground while she followed, carrying snacks and drinks.
As she approached, Alicia noticed some parents whispering and staring. One quietly asked if she was the babysitter, while another wondered aloud how much she was being paid. The assumptions were based solely on appearance — Alicia is a Black woman raising lighter-skinned children.
She paused, recognizing the familiar weight of judgment. It wasn’t the first time someone had assumed she wasn’t the mother. But Alicia knew the truth — and today, she would calmly make it known.
She smiled and said, “No one pays me. These are my children. I’m their mom — and I also build companies.”
The whispers faded. Conversation ended. Alicia returned to the playground, pushing her children on the swings, enjoying the laughter and the moment that mattered most. Titles and success can change, but one title is permanent: Mom.
This quiet moment reminds us that assumptions can be misleading, and truth is always strongest when expressed calmly and confidently.