As Infamous Mothers, we embody resilience, break cycles, build new generational habits, and forge paths toward financial independence. We are trailblazers in our families, pioneering the journey from financial instability to wealth-building. As first-generation wealth builders, we often don’t know where to start.

When I was growing up, my mom used to say, “I don’t trust no one. And when I’m in love, I don’t trust myself.” At the time, I didn’t have enough experience to understand what she meant. But as an adult, I have an idea.

As mothers, we frequently bury our dreams under daily responsibilities and societal expectations. For many, these dreams are tucked away so deeply that they're forgotten, while for others, they're so well concealed that even they struggle to find them. However, these dreams are not lost – just hidden.

But here's the unspoken truth: even when we've planned for the everyday drama, there's an element we rarely anticipate - the potential trauma that can accompany our pursuit of success.

Welcome to the third and final installment of the “dirty-girl effect” series. Two weeks ago, I introduced the idea of the dirty-girl effect. In short, I defined it as a process of “dirtying” that women experience in their private and public lives…

“A black woman with a PhD is worse than a woman with HIV.” I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked over at his wife. I wondered about how she felt hearing him say that. She put her head down. I wondered what it meant for her to be married to a man who held that belief. How far could she rise and grow with a partner who felt that way? And then I wondered what it meant for me, a black woman who was, at the time, earning a PhD.

“Never accept ‘no’ from someone not authorized to tell you ‘no.’”

Second, I’m learning to own my sh*t. I do this by…

As someone who coaches and teaches women principles around becoming the heroes in their own stories, I can tell you from experience and practice that many of us can’t leave that connection to chance. The follow through from mindset to behavior has to be intentional.

…When I coach or mentor new CEOs, I often explain to them that they are chief problem solvers…