Our Story

In June 2020, our founder Tieree Reid created a bucket list of fears she wanted to conquer. One of those fears was competing in a pageant, and another was sharing her infant loss story. Tieree entered the Mrs. Indiana America pageant and was awarded the title of Mrs. Central Indiana 2021.

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As Mrs. Central Indiana 2021, Tieree championed maternal health, pregnancy and infant loss. She pledged to help increase access to resources and support non-profits, doulas, and medical professionals who care for and support grieving families. She made 42 appearances, gave four podcast interviews, hosted three virtual discussions, raised nearly $2,300 for charity, and celebrated her unborn child for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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As her time as Mrs. Central Indiana 2021 began to end, Tieree reflected on the residual impact of her online discussion Real Stories: Black Women & Infant Loss. After the event, she received messages on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook from women who wanted to share their stories privately and others who requested resources for a loved one. The request for resources continued throughout the year from women who recently learned that a loved one had lost a baby. 

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On October 15, 2021, International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, Tieree was contacted for in-hospital resources for a Black woman delivering a baby without a heartbeat. This request came after receiving requests from Black women for infertility, maternal care, and infant loss resources. 

 

Determined to be in a better position to help Black women and their families, at 2:23 am on November 3, 2021, Tieree submitted the articles of incorporation for Shades of Becoming a Mom, Inc. The Indiana Secretary of State approved the incorporation of Shades of Becoming a Mom, Inc., on November 3, 2021, at 9:29 am.