There was never a doubt in Jackie Hunt’s mind that, despite the shutdown from the coronavirus pandemic, she would be hosting her Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch this year.
“I could just not let this time go by and not honor moms. This event is something that is so important to me,” Jackie Hunt, founder of the Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch, tells Madison365. “We are going to honor and encourage and support and uplift moms like we always have on the day before mother’s day because we don’t want to take moms away from their families on Mother’s Day.”
The 12th Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch, once again be presented by Sistah 2 Sistah, will bring together mothers of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds together to celebrate all mothers on Saturday, May 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. It’s just not going to be in person this year. For the first time, it will be a virtual event. This year’s theme is “Momming on Purpose”
Speakers at the 12th Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch will include Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Carola Gaines, Malika Evanco, and Kiah Calmese Walker. There will be a special tribute to Ms. Milele Chikasa Anana.
“We are working hard to line up a pretty nice event,” Hunt says. “Every year we have a line-up of powerful speakers that bring a little encouragement and upliftments to mothers, no matter what kind of mom you are.”
“I’ve asked not only prominent community people to speak but also just everyday people,” Hunt says. “I’m really excited about this.”
The Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch was created to give moms a space to be able to come enjoy brunch and a program created in celebration of mothers from “Generation to Generation.”
“The theme is always from generation to generation. Last year, there were three generations of that family at this event,” Hunt says.
The Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch is dedicated to Hunt’s mom – Mary Louise Hunt.
“She’s been gone for almost 27 years now. Even though it’s been so long, it’s still my mother and I still honor and pay homage to her,” Hunt says. “And I still miss her…. So so much.
“We will do a tribute to moms that have passed on. This is something new that we are adding so we are asking people to send a photo that we could include in a tribute,” Hunt adds.
The Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch is also dedicated to Milele Chikasa Anana, publisher of Umoja Magazine, who was Hunt’s inspiration for the event.
“Back in the day, Ms. Milele would take me and several other single moms out to brunch on the Sunday of Mother’s Day after church so we wouldn’t have to cook for our small kids,” Hunt remembers. “I’m so grateful for Milele for doing this for me when I needed her and for her pushing me and supporting me.”
When Anana was sick and recuperating from cancer, Hunt carried on the tradition of taking care of other single mothers on Mother’s Day and she created the Pre-Mother’s Day event for other single mothers like her.
“The Pre-Mother’s Day Lunch and the Dinner with Soul Santa that I also host were influenced by Milele pouring her love into me,” Hunt says.
Hunt says she will have a special surprise that she is unwilling to divulge to Madison365 or the public.
“I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag, but I’m excited about that particular part of the event,” she smiles.
For mothers who aren’t tech-savvy, Hunt will offer up a few online Zoom tutorials if they e-mail or message her.
“Even though there is a registration for the Zoom, anybody and everybody can watch the Live,” she says. “I hope that this touches moms all across the country and even across the globe.
“Everything is going to be virtual. Everyone will be honoring the safer at home guidelines. I’m not the tech person, but I have a tech person that is going to bring this all together for me.”
Hunt says that they will also be giving moms tips and strategies on staying healthy during the coronavirus crisis.
“We have all been thrust into a whole new experience of momming due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hunt says. “For some, it’s been harder and more difficult than others – it’s challenging especially if you have two or three or more small kids running around and you’re confined.
“The isolation can also be lonely at times for mothers. So this year we’re going to give moms a space and we’re going to create a Zoom for participants to come in and get some love poured on them,” she adds. “This is an event for the community – for moms who deserve to be recognized and who need to be encouraged.”
Sistah 2 Sistah will present their 12th Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch “From Generation to Generation – Mommin on Purpose” on Saturday, May 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, click here.
