MOTHER LOVES: ENGA DOMINGUE, RAISSA LEME AND PAOLA MATHE

MOTHER Loves:
Enga Domingue, Raissa Leme
and Paola Mathe

BY AMAKA ONUEGBU

Three content creators answer questions about themselves, their experiences & the influence of black culture

MOTHER is committed to celebrating and supporting the African-American community year-round. For Black History Month, we wanted to use our platform to honor a few of our favorite Black creators and asked them to share their words and stories. Enga Domingue, Raissa Leme and Paola Mathe open up about their inspirations, what they learned from their mothers about being Black women, why Black is beautiful and much more. Get to know them in the Q&As below.

“I WANT TO STEP MORE INTO MY CREATIVE ENERGIES AND OUTLETS AND EVEN PUT THEM FORTH TO THE WORLD.”

ENGA DOMINGUE

Q: What’s your zodiac sign? What’s the best part about being that sign?

A: I am a Capricorn. I think the best part about being a Capricorn is having earth-sign qualities such as being grounded and nurturing. It constantly feels like I’m building towards goals and towards my healing and growth.

Q: What are your goals for 2023?

A: This year is about focusing on all of the things I procrastinated on in the past. I also want to step more into my creative energies and outlets and even put them forth to the world.

Q: Black is beautiful because:

A: Black is of the earth, it's the soil that everything flourishes from. It's the unknown and indescribable void, it is a continuous mystery filled with a power and energy that can't even be explained or understood. It is the origin; it is the source. There's nothing like black.

Q: Who are some black creatives you love to follow and why?

A: @meccajw @kaiaventdeleon @sademims @micahelrotimi @cheftarathomas. I love these creatives because not only have they worked really hard from the ground up to build a name for themselves in their respective industries, but they do so much to give back to the industry and their communities. They hold space for and collaborate with other creatives who might not have the platform or resources to. I feel so inspired by following them and genuinely feel enriched by their content.

Q: What is something important you think people should know about black history and this month in general?

A: It's honestly insane to me that most people still group black cultures together as one. There are so many black people in the world and even though most of our ancestry can be traced back to the same continent, because of colonialism, we all come from places. From Africa to the Caribbean and the Middle East — our cultures vary and I think Black History Month should be a celebration and culmination of all of those beautiful cultures coming together in America.

“THE RICH HISTORY AND RESILIENCE OF MY COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION AND EQUALITY, HAVE GIVEN ME A DEEP WELL OF INSPIRATION TO DRAW FROM.”

RAISSA LEME

Q: What inspires you to be creative?

A: As a Black person with Brazilian blood and soul, dance and body movements inspire the flow of my creativity. My experiences and cultural heritage have been a huge influence for my creativity. The rich history and resilience of my community, as well as the ongoing fight for representation and equality, have given me a deep well of inspiration to draw from. Also, being exposed to a diverse range of perspectives and art forms has helped open my eyes and think outside the box. I am also constantly motivated by the idea that my art can serve as a form of self-expression and a way to make a positive impact on my community and society as a whole.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?

A: My mother has been a constant source of strength, support and guidance throughout my journey. From a young age, she has inspired me with a strong sense of determination and the belief that I could be anything I wanted to. She has always been an advocate for my dreams, and her love and encouragement have been instrumental in helping me to pursue my passions and reach my goals. Her love and guidance have been invaluable to me, and I am grateful to have her as my mother and my biggest inspiration.

Q: Black is beautiful because:

A: It is, it has always been and it will always be, there is no “because.” Black is beautiful, Black is excellence, Black is resilience and is beyond what words can describe, you can only feel it.

Q: What is something you learned from your mother about being a black woman?

A: One thing I learned from my mother about being a Black woman is the importance of resilience and perseverance. Born in a world where there is constantly a fight to a system that will always go against us. Growing up, she got me to understand that as a Black woman, I would face many challenges and obstacles, but that I had the strength and determination to overcome them. She taught me to never let anyone dim my light or make me feel small, and to always hold my head high and be proud of who I am. She also emphasized the importance of community and the importance of lifting up and supporting other Black women. To this day, my main goal is to inspire all the young Black girls in Brazil to be whomever they wanna be.

Q: How does black culture influence your content?

A: As a Black person, my cultural identity and experiences have had a profound influence on my content. From the language and images I use, to the themes and perspectives I explore, my understanding of the world is deeply rooted in my Blackness. My culture informs my perspective and provides me with a unique lens through which to create. I make it a priority to center Black voices and stories in everything I do, as representation and inclusivity are crucial for not only myself but for the community I am a part of. I strive to use my platform to uplift and empower the Black community.

"THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO LEARN AND LOVE WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK CULTURE."

PAOLA MATHE

Q: What inspires you to be creative?

A: Life inspires me. I have a zest for living. I pay attention to the small details and simple beauty. I also love to play with color.

Q: What is something important you think people should know about black history and this month in general?

A: Black history is more than just a month. It's important for the world to support and encourage Black owned businesses and creators throughout the entire year.

Q: Black is beautiful because:

A: Black is beautiful because it just is. How do you describe why a rainbow is beautiful? You just stop and admire it. You're thankful because you got to witness it. That's how I feel about Black beauty.

Q: What are your goals for 2023?

A: To be more present. To make room to do and learn about the things that aren't so much fun in my work in order to grow. To take my time to do the things I love. And to keep growing and motivating my team.

Q: How does black culture influence your content?

A: Black culture continues to evolve and inspire the world. I'm inspired by my Haitian roots. I'm drawn to various genres of African and Caribbean music. I love American Black culture and the way it challenges every industry. I know that Black culture is no monolith. There are so many different things to learn and love when it comes to Black culture. I'm Black and I create content. I am Black culture.

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