Meet Janice Robinson-celeste

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Janice Robinson-celeste again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Janice, thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m Janice Robinson-Celeste, the Publisher of Successful Black Parenting Magazine, the first national magazine specifically focused on supporting Black families and parents of Black children. I’m also the organizer of the National Black Parenting Conference, which is all about equipping parents with resources to help their children thrive, and the founder of the Black Parenting Academy, a platform that provides workshops and tools to help parents navigate modern challenges.

What sets me apart is my dedication to creating representation in every space I touch—from parenting advice to education to media. My journey started as a public school teacher and child care advocate, and it’s evolved into helping families on a broader scale through my magazine, events, and initiatives. Everything I do is driven by my passion for uplifting Black parents and empowering them with the resources they need to thrive. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful to be able to expand the conversation through platforms like this!

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share an update! Since we last connected, things have been both challenging and exciting, but I’m so grateful for the journey.

Let’s start with the challenges. One of the hardest parts of running Successful Black Parenting Magazine is finding the capital to operate the magazine on the same level as major publications. Black founders, unfortunately, receive less than 1% of venture capital funding in the United States, and banks rarely provide full funding for our businesses. Despite this, I’ve kept pushing forward because I believe in the importance of what we do for Black families.

On the exciting side, I’m thrilled to be launching the Black Parenting Academy, a platform that offers masterclasses from experts to help parents navigate topics like parenting neurodiverse children, breaking generational cycles, and even creating digital safe spaces for kids. It’s been a dream of mine to provide this type of accessible, hands-on support to parents.

Another highlight is the upcoming National Black Parenting Conference, which will take place online on February 7-8, 2025. It’s going to feature incredible panels and workshops, such as ‘Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Empowering Black Moms to Thrive’ and ‘Raising Black Children To Thrive In A Racist World.’ We’ve lined up an amazing keynote speaker, Dr. Meredith Anderson from UNCF, who will inspire parents with strategies for making their voices heard in schools.

On top of that, I’ve also been focusing on growing our BACKtalk Podcast, where we dive into essential parenting topics and bring on incredible guests to discuss issues that matter most to Black families. It’s another way we’re expanding our reach and providing valuable insights to parents everywhere.

I encourage everyone to visit our website, SuccessfulBlackParenting.com, to explore all of our resources, stay updated on upcoming events, and discover how you can participate in the National Black Parenting Conference. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for daily inspiration, tips, and updates.

While there are challenges, the good far outweighs the bad. Watching these initiatives come to life and knowing they’re making an impact on families drives me to keep going. This next chapter is all about creating sustainable resources and safe spaces for parents and their children, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come!

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: Jurassic Park (The Original)

Favorite Book: Miles’ Stuffy Nose (My award-winning children’s board book)

Favorite TV Show: Who has time to watch TV?

Favorite Band or Artist: Beyoncé

Sweet or Savory: Sweet

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): Football – Go Eagles!

Favorite Sport (to play): Swimming

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Gymnastics

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: A teacher

French Fries or Onion Rings: Onion Rings

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Who?

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Scooby Doo

Favorite Childhood movie: JAWS

Favorite Breakfast Food: Oatmeal

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
For me, life is all about choosing the best view or the most money—as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. I’ve based many of my decisions on this philosophy, and it has served me well.

When I’m faced with a tough choice, I think about the long-term impact. Will this decision move my mission forward? Will it create opportunities for growth, sustainability, or a better experience for others? If the answer is yes and it aligns with my values, I move forward confidently.

This approach has been critical in running Successful Black Parenting Magazine and launching initiatives like the Black Parenting Academy and the National Black Parenting Conference. It’s about balancing what’s practical with what’s meaningful, ensuring that I’m making choices that benefit not just me but also the families and communities I serve.

Ultimately, I believe in taking calculated risks, staying true to my purpose, and always striving for the best outcome for everyone involved. That’s how I navigate the tough decisions—and so far, it’s been a rewarding journey!

Website: https://SuccessfulBlackParenting.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successfulblackparenting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-robinson-celeste

Twitter: Never

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackParenting1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessfulBlackParenting