A Letter from Stephanie, Beccastone’s Founder
Dear Beccastone Family,
My name is Stephanie Phillipps. I am a Black mom, married with two adult children, and a retired lawyer. I started this site because I want all parents of Black children to have a safe and trustworthy place to find information and ideas that help with the really hard job of raising healthy and successful kids with a strong sense of self and cultural identity.
When my kids were young, I had access to a membership club of moms who met regularly, hosted interesting and fun activities for our kids and shared tips on everything from school issues to dating to the best summer camps and vacation spots. While the group was national in scope, only a relatively few, privileged moms got to enjoy the many benefits of membership and to expose their kids to the activities sponsored by the group. So, Beccastone was born to try to bridge the gap in some small way and make helpful information available to all parents trying to do the best by their kids. I personally believe that everything starts at home and that good parenting is one of the keys to making our society better, more just and more equitable.
It is an understatement to say that our society has become less tolerant lately. Parents of Black children have to strike a very careful balance– our kids still need a “suit of armor” to protect against the daily, silent and not so silent, big and little “assaults” that come with being Black in America. But our children also need to have hope and confidence in the future and to be open to others. We do not want the protective armor to confine our kids and make them fearful, angry or suspicious. We want to raise kids who are comfortable in their own skin and can successfully navigate the greater society and the working world. Beccastone wants to explore and share the strategies and approaches that have worked for others and suggest some new things that parents could try.
The name “Beccastone” is inspired by a stone marker on the Martha’s Vineyard African American History Trail dedicated to a slave woman named Rebecca. Rebecca gained her freedom, married and raised a family in a house at the marker’s location. It was so moving to know that in that very spot in the middle of a serene, wooded land preserve, many years ago, a Black woman overcame tremendous odds and went on to successfully nurture the next generation. The struggle continues today, and Rebecca is a fitting role model and hero for us all.
I hope that Beccastone will be a global platform connecting mothers of Black children wherever we are, for the benefit of our children. Our focus now is on African American children. But we hope that will broaden as the site grows and expands. Children’s needs and interests will be our guideposts for content, direction and growth. Please let us hear from you. We all have much to share.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Phillipps