Azurae Johnson Redmond of Young, Black & Widowed Reflects on Widowed Parenting
I had such a great discussion with Azurae Johnson Redmond for this episode. Azurae is the founder of Young, Black & Widowed Inc and she is also the foreword writer for my new book, out this week: "Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another."
I’m thrilled that Azurae and so many other contributing authors are part of this book. Widowed Parents Unite wouldn't be nearly what it is without each and every one of these moms and dads who decided to share their stories with those newer on this widowed parenting path.
I know you'll learn so much from Azurae's story, and I hope you check out the resources offered by Young, Black & Widowed.
Summary of Key Points:
Azurae Johnson Redmond's Background and Work: Azurae is the founder of Young, Black & Widowed Inc. and contributed the foreword for Jenny Lisk's book "Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year from One Widowed Parent to Another". She brings a unique perspective to widowed parenting based on her experiences.
Personal Tragedy and Grief Journey: Azurae shared her personal story of becoming a widow at a young age while pregnant with her second child, highlighting the sudden loss of her husband to cancer and the challenges of navigating grief and parenthood simultaneously.
Impact of the Widowed Parent Podcast: Azurae highlights how the podcast served as a crucial support mechanism for her during the early stages of her widowhood, providing comfort and connection during a profoundly isolating time.
Creating Young, Black & Widowed Inc.: Motivated by her own experiences and the lack of support for young, widowed parents of color, Azurae founded Young, Black & Widowed Inc. to provide a community and resources for those facing similar challenges.
The Importance of Community and Support: She emphasizes the significance of finding a supportive community that understands the unique challenges faced by young, widowed parents, especially those of color, and how this community can offer much-needed understanding and empathy.
Personal Reflections on Grief and Healing: Azurae shared her reflections on the grief process, including the complexities of grieving as a young parent and the ongoing journey towards healing and finding a new sense of normalcy.
Legacy and Memory Keeping: She discusses the importance of keeping the memory of her late husband alive for her children and finding ways to incorporate his legacy into their lives as they grow.
Future Goals for Young, Black & Widowed Inc.: Azurae outlines her hopes for expanding the reach and impact of her organization, aiming to connect with more widowed parents across the country and offer them the support and resources they need to navigate their journeys.
Links & resources for this episode
More links for listeners
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Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk
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