About Us
Mamas Connect Support Network is a community for Black moms across the Greater Toronto Area who are navigating the joys and challenges of early parenthood. Founded in November 2021, we exist to empower moms through authentic representation, meaningful connections, and shared experiences.
A Village Rooted in Sisterhood
We aren’t just a group—it’s a growing village built on sisterhood, solidarity, and support for moms raising little ones and growing kids throughout the early years.
A Safe and Affirming Space
Whether you’re balancing work, building a business, or caring for young children full-time, this is a space where your identity as a woman and a mother is honoured and nurtured.
Filling a Unique Gap
Mamas Connect was created because few parenting communities speak directly to the lived experiences of Black mothers in the GTA. From navigating systemic barriers to balancing cultural expectations, our community addresses the unique challenges of motherhood in a space that reflects and affirms us.
Our Mission
We support the emotional and everyday well-being of Black moms through curated events, practical resources, and an intentional, supportive community. Led by a dedicated founder and a passionate team of volunteers, we foster a culture of sisterhood, resilience, and empowerment.
Building Meaningful Connection
Through honest conversations, intentional gatherings—both online and in person—and shared experiences, we’re creating more than just a social group. We’re building a space where Black moms can truly be seen, heard, and supported as they navigate the early years of parenting.
If you believe in pouring into women and building community with intention, you’re in the right place.
Together, we grow. Together, we thrive.
Founder & Community Builder
Cherise Wilson
I'm a Toronto-based mom and the founder of Mamas Connect Support Network, a community I started after becoming a mother during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. That first year of motherhood was incredibly isolating. I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety, and I struggled with the absence of the “village” I had expected would be there to support me.
When my mental health began to heal and pandemic restrictions started easing in 2021, I knew I wanted to find other moms who were navigating similar experiences. But in that search, I didn’t see moms who looked like me. I realized there was a real need for a safe, culturally grounded space where Black moms could connect, share, and support one another—so I decided to build it myself.
Since then, Mamas Connect has grown into a vibrant and supportive community with over 160 moms in our WhatsApp group and more than 500 on Meetup. Together, we’ve created a space where genuine friendships form, resources are shared, and we show up for each other as women, mothers, and leaders in our families.
Outside of the community, I work in the food and hospitality industry. I hold a postgraduate certificate in HR Management from George Brown College and a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University. I'm also licensed in life and accident & sickness insurance in Ontario. At heart, I’m a passionate advocate for Black mothers and a firm believer in the power of community to transform lives.
Community Builder
Shari Grant
I’m a mother, educator, and community builder with a deep passion for empowering mothers of color to navigate the joys and challenges of motherhood with confidence and support. As co-organizer of Mamas Connect, I’ve spent the last four years helping connect moms with culturally relevant resources, meaningful education, and a supportive community where they—and their children—can truly thrive.
I hold degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education, and I'm currently pursuing my training as a postpartum doula. I truly believe in the power of community and in creating spaces where Black motherhood is not only supported but celebrated. Being part of Mamas Connect allows me to continue this important work every day—uplifting and walking alongside fellow moms on their motherhood journeys.
