Why Brown Mamas Exists
Brown Mamas envisions a world where the lived experiences of Black mothers are affirmed, their stories honored, and their power shared—so that healing, leadership and legacy rise from within our communities.
We are co-creating a movement and ecosystem where mothers are not only caretakers, but creators of their own lives and architects of lasting change.
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The Brown Mamas Team
Get to know the mothers, mentors, and leaders who brought the vision to life, and now empower others to do the same.
Muffy Mendoza
Muffy Mendoza is a powerhouse community builder, speaker, and content creator whose work lives at the intersection of motherhood, social change, and legacy-building.
She is the founder and CEO of Brown Mamas. Under her leadership, the Brown Mamas community has grown to over 7,000 members and includes the nationally recognized Brown Mama Monologues, an annual storytelling showcase where over 50 Black mothers have shared their truths on stage to audiences in the thousands.
Muffy holds a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication and is a graduate of the Facebook Community Accelerator Program. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Essence Festival, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and more.
Her book, The Brown Mama Mindset, and her TEDx talk on Black motherhood have made her a sought-after voice on topics such as communal care, maternal wellness, and generational healing.
Balancing motherhood and mission, Muffy continues to be a beacon for women who are ready to raise children and communities at the same time—with joy, strategy, and soul.
Tamera Dixon
With over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of social services and government systems the majority of Tamera’s work has been as a community advocate for wellness, mental health, and parenting without systems. Tamera has a Bachelor's of Science and a Master’s of Art in Counseling.
She has traveled for international investigations in the Netherlands and has completed missions trips in Argentina all while pursuing higher education. She started her work in government as a strength based case worker for Family Group Decision Making.
Tamera climbed the ladder quickly becoming a family advocate to help families navigate children youth and families and various systems. Gaining even more exposure to community partners and various stakeholders, she was promoted to a Compliance Specialist who ensured agencies and organizations were following regulations locally, federally and based on DHS contractual agreements, spending funds appropriately and continuity of care.
A single supported mother to one 12-year-old multi-athlete, she is a matriarch and trend setter for many mothers and women in being more intentional with the way they raise their black sons.
Celebrating Our Journey Together as Brown Mamas
Founding Year
In early summer, a few women gathered to talk about their common struggles and joys in raising Black children. Muffy was at the tail end of fighting postpartum depression, but through the support of the group she felt she’d found her tribe.
First Gatherings
The small gathering transformed to a Facebook group where moms could vent, ask for support and find each other. Muffy began hosting meetups at her home so that moms could vent, connect and release isolation.
First Event
Brown Mamas hosted its first event. A Makeup N’ Martinis party. Brown Mamas received a Sprout Fund Grant to run our Mastering Motherhood Series teaching moms gardening, sewing, couponing and homelife organization.
Brown Mama Monologues
Stories started spilling out from the Facebook community which inspired Muffy to build a stage, the Brown Mama Monologues, where moms could liberate themselves by sharing their stories with the masses.
National Growth
Brown Mamas started making waves nationally, as the Brown Mama Monologues gained national recognition through its showcase in the DC metro region and inclusion of moms from Philly and Detroit in its showcases.
JHud Show Appearance
Brown Mamas is featured on the Jennifer Hudson Show.
Passing the Torch
Brown Mamas launches the Brown Mamas Chapter Training to teach moms best practices in establishing collective care communities in their region.
Our Legacy Continues
Brown Mamas is so much more than a group of moms. It’s an organization that has figuratively and literally changed the social perspective on Black mothering in Pittsburgh.
Brown Mamas in the Press
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Jennifer Hudson Surprises Woman Who Creates a Safe Space for Black Mothers
Pittsburgh Magazine
Brown Mamas Speak out on Pittsburgh’s Legacy of Racism
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Muffy Mendoza Cultivates Safe Space for Black Mothers in Pittsburgh
Post Industrial Podcast
Better Health for Mom & Baby
CBS Pittsburgh
What it Means to be a Mother
Help Us Preserve Brown Mamas' Legacy
By donating to Brown Mamas, you’re not just supporting a mother; you’re nurturing a family, empowering a community, and helping to shape the world.We’ve partnered with New Sun Rising, our long-time fiscal sponsor, to ensure that your generous support is not only impactful but also tax-deductible. Help support Brown Mamas’ mission and preserve our legacy by donating today!