Shades of Becoming a Mom

Shades of Becoming a Mom (SBMOM) is a Christian, non-profit organization formed in 2020 dedicated to the health and wellness of women at every stage of motherhood. SBMOM provides resources, guidance, and support primarily to Black women grieving the loss of a baby in pregnancy or infancy. They serve to alleviate cultural barriers experienced by Black women during pregnancy, after delivery, and throughout the grief process. An active presence by SBMOM in the local community and partnerships with medical professionals helps to improve maternal health outcomes for women and babies. 

Education, beyond all other devices of human origin is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery

Horace Mann

This quote motivated one woman to take charge and be an advocate for change. Meet Mrs. Tieree Reid. With over two decades of experience in K-16 administration and nonprofit management and over 15 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, she has taken her experience and background to launch multiple businesses.  Tieree is not only the founder and President of Shades of Becoming a Mom, Inc, she is also the 2023 Senior Outstanding Queen of the Miss Circle City Indy Pageant, owner of Tieree Reid Consulting LLC, and a certified coach, trainer, and speaker with the John Maxwell Team. As the owner of Tieree Reid Consulting LLC, she offers customized services to help individuals, teams, and organizations thrive. 

Tieree Reid Consulting LLC – Meeting Facilitation, Education Support, Curriculum Design, Coaching, Training and Development, College and Career Consulting, Strategic Planning, Innovation, Project Management, and Assessment. 

SBMOM – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Care Packages, resource lists and connection, memorial services, community events for mothers at all stages of motherhood, conferences, and workshops on maternal health.

Wearing so many hats, Tieree is the vision of supermom, but she also struggles with the things that all of us do:  finding the right balance in life, work, home, faith, health, and community. Her tool to stay balanced is to stay reflective and schedule health and wellness days (check-ins) with hersel as often as possible. Tieree is looking forward to the day when she can return to going on a version of the wellness vacations she used to take. Previously Tieree’s self care included a recharge period which included spending 5-7 days in isolation solely focusing on her emotional, mental, and physical health.

April and May are big months for SBMOM and you can support the adoption of Black Baby Loss Awareness Week by signing the petition on Change.org. Visit SBMOM’s website at www.sbmom.org for more information about Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, and Bump to Bundle (like a community baby shower) on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in New Palestine, IN as well as other planned events. 

Tieree’s philosophy is not to measure success based on what she has accomplished but what she has yet to accomplish. “Yesterday’s success was yesterday’s victory and I have yet to achieve my greatest accomplishment. I have been privileged to be the first to lead, own, and hold positions because I have been the one to say if I don’t do it, who will.”

If she had to list a great accomplishment up until this point in her career, working for herself full-time and forming Shades of Becoming a Mom, Indiana’s first 501c3 organization to provide specific services for Black women who have lost a baby in pregnancy or infancy.

One little known fact is that she rarely speaks about her experiences being appointed by the Lincoln Chapter of the NAACP to serve as chair and convener in opposition of anti-affirmative action legislative propositions impacting several midwestern states. Tieree had the privilege of advocating beside some of the greatest thought leaders around the country. It was the same year (2008) that Indiana decided to hold their first Democratic presidential caucus to choose a candidate. Initially she was one of the organizers but ended up being the person leading the caucus meeting for the area and for her precinct. It was a proud moment to be an instrumental part of selecting the nation’s first Black president. Unfortunately, she could not attend the national convention to serve out the duties of a delegate. “Nonetheless, I am so proud to have stood in positions that no one else desired.”

Want to learn more or get involved?  Visit Tieree Reid Consulting LLC, www.tiereereid.com and Shades of Becoming a Mom, www.sbmom.org