Being Black & Blended and Church Resistance to Blended Family Ministries | EP 10 PT 2

Pickens’ Realities & Blended Family Truths

In part 2 of episode 10, Jessica, Jayla, and special guest, Cheryl Shumake continue discussions of the compounding stresses of being Black in America and being part of a blended family. They also discuss the lack of existing church ministries and programs designed specifically to support blended families, and how that further puts blended families at risk.

Cheryl Shumake is the Executive Director of Sawubona Blended Families and Founder of Stepmom Sanity. Cheryl shares her personal journey as a stepmom and the realities of navigating life in a Black and blended family and also shares the inspiring story behind the creation of Sawubona Blended Families, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering blended families in Black and Brown communities.

With 40% of marriages with kids today being blended families, we aim to raise awareness among church leaders, ministries, and community organizations, to encourage them to recognize the unique and complex dynamics of blended families. Our hope is for church and other relevant program leaders to acknowledge the need for blended family supports by creating impactful programming and resources that empower these families to thrive. Let’s spark a movement to ensure blended families feel seen, supported, and equipped for success.