Wanda's Picks Motherline Series

We are hosting a series of conversations with women about their motherlines. We began in March this year and continue through March 2025. In these conversations over the next year, we will speak to Black women about their motherlines.

Our guest today is Makeda Esi Ohemaa aka Sandra Hooper Mayfield. She is the youngest daughter of Ruby Mae, granddaughter of Evie, great-grandaughter of Hester, and great-great-granddaughter of Mary Magdalen. Ruby Mae passed away when she was 36 years old Makeda was 9.  Makeda fell in Love with words when her first-grade teacher read a poem. She is grateful to report, that she is still in Love.  Makeda is a retired mental/behavioral health counselor.

At 50 years Makeda returned to academia and earned a BA in business management. Makeda is the former Editor of the South County Post Newspaper, Curator of Sugar Water (An artist support group for girls and women), and the "Third Saturday Open Mic."
 
Makeda's work is published in three anthologies with the West Oakland Seniors. She is also published in the West Oakland to West Africa anthology. Makeda is a community activist who serves and promotes change through art and literacy in carceral institutions.

She is a 7-year cancer survivor whose diagnosis set her free. . . . 

We open with Mary Mary's "Shackles," and close with Tracey Chapman's "Stand by Me."