#MOMLIFE with Lakelia of Byrd Brain

Looking for inspiration + ideas for things to do with kids in Metro Detroit? Tried and true suggestions that real moms actually do? Here they are! We’re asking local Metro Detroit families to share their favorites, to help you find yours.

Are you following @byrdbrain.co on Instagram? Lakelia is a local best-selling author who also juggles running two different companies, all while homeschooling her absolutely adorable daughter. This seriously hard working and inspirational #MomBoss is all about supporting + lifting up local women through her company Byrd Brain and My Colour Is and we are ALL FOR IT!

Meet Lakelia

Hello, my name is Lakelia, and I am the mother of a busy 5 ½-year-old girl named Ameenah. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and moved to Detroit almost 15 years ago. Motherhood has been an interesting journey. After many failed pregnancies as well as a severe case of hyperemesis gravidarum, I wasn’t sure if I was going to ever become a mom. My daughter is a daily reminder of my faith. I am a homeschooling mother, a wife, a nurse, a best-selling author, and the owner of two companies: ByrdBrain, LLC where I help women start their own businesses and My Colour Is, LLC where our focus is fighting colorism. I love homeschooling and often visit LittleGuide Detroit to find interesting things to do with my daughter. Here below are a few things I love to do. I hope you enjoy!

Favorite Ways To Spend Family Time:

Lighthouse hunting around Michigan which has the most lighthouses in the world.
Traveling the world (currently road trips due to Covid)
Game night! We love board games.

Favorite Places To Go:

Favorite Bedtime Stories:

Favorite Recipes:

Best Park/Playground: The Riverfront (Detroit)

We love the Riverwalk and its outdoor sandpit. We love the sound of the water, watching the boats, seeing all the different cultures, walking the Riverwalk, and grabbing some ice-cream after visiting the garden rooms for great photos.

Best Family-Friendly Annual Event: UniverSoul Circus (Detroit)

We love visiting the soul circus. We like to see what new attractions they have, love to see the dog show and watch the clowns dance. Our favorite part is learning what part of the world everyone is from.

Your Mom Must Have: Portable Potty

With Covid, so many indoor places are closed and we are doing a lot of outdoor events – a portable potty is a must. Also, with the traveling we do by car, it’s not always easy to stop in time.

Best Winter or Holiday Event: Celebrating Kwanzaa with our Friends + Family

We have a huge potluck, we play games, we dance, teach about the meaning of Kwanzaa, we light our Kwanzaa candle and we all speak about one thing we plan to change for the better in the upcoming year. We give meaningful gifts and talk about gratitude.

“Pat Yourself on the Back” Accomplishment: Homeschooling + Writing

There are two accomplishments that I am proud of: I am currently working on my 20th book, with 10 bestsellers, and they are all self-published. My second accomplishment is homeschooling. I have been homeschooling now for three years, creating my own curriculum from scratch. I never thought I would homeschool until I became a mom. I’ve stuck with it even when I felt like giving up. You can find out more about my books at www.myblackbyrd.com.

About Ashley Hubbbard-Porter

Ashley Porter is a Chicago native who now calls Birmingham home. Ashley and her husband Mike and son Jake love attending local festivals, exploring Detroit’s diverse food scene, and venturing outside of Metro Detroit to enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan. With a background in Early Childhood Education, Ashley loves connecting with and supporting families in her community, which is why she is so excited to be a part of LittleGuide Detroit.