Expectant and new moms everywhere came out to TKP New York on Saturday, September 14, 2013, to celebrate motherhood while discovering new and interesting parenting tools at the Baby Bash and Bling Expo. The community event offered many activities for guests to enjoy, including the ‘Bump the Runway’ show that featured the latest fashion trends in maternal wear. Monica Byrd, Creator and Style Maven of the Baby Bash and Bling Expo, and Maggy Fancy Francois, Fashion and Special Event Producer, organized the event.
Nicole Ari Parker-Kodjoe was one of several attendees, and served as host of the Expo. Blackcelebkids.com caught up with the celebrity mom and was privileged to ask the actress a few questions about her family and foundation, Sophie’s Voice, which she and husband Boris Kodjoe established in honor of their daughter, Sophie, who was diagnosed with Spina bifida in 2005. Check out what the award-winning actress, entrepreneur, and founder of Save Your Do™ had to say!
What made you want to get involved with Baby Bash Bling?
Well, I met Maggy at the Leading Women Defined [conference] back in March. She reached out and told me she was producing this event that reached out to expectant mothers and mothers who had just had babies, really creating a space to exchange information. I felt really passionate about it because I have access to a lot of information that people made available to me when i was pregnant. I appreciated it and i remembered it so i am paying it forward.
What’s in store for Sophie’s Voice?
We don’t have any events planned. We have focused most of our efforts on research and prevention at the Rollins School of Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. We are doing a lot of international outreach, and working towards fortifying foods in countries where Spina bifida rates are very high. It is very cheap and easy to fortify flour in certain countries with folic acid, which is a very cheap B vitamin. It’s pennies on the dollar. We have just been working towards increasing awareness and prevention and improving the quality of life of children who already have Spina bifida like Sophie.
How do you balance motherhood with your career?
It’s difficult. I have help. I have a great husband, mom, and nanny. I make my kids my priority and i keep my life really simple. There is a lot of traveling, but there is not a lot of upheaval. My children have a very stable life as much as possible. I think that it falls into place because it is a group effort. We have all chosen to make this life work. I am not doing it by myself. We are not going in different directions. We are all-my husband and my kids- on the same page.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently shooting a few episodes on Revolution, which is a show on NBC and it premieres September 25th.
How is your business venture, Save Your Do Gymwrap, coming along?
It is going great. I had an idea. I started a little online business. My retail plan was five years in the making , it happened in a year later. I am getting on shelves, i am getting out there. It has been wonderful.
Nicole and Boris have two kids, 8-year-old Sophie and Nicolas, who will be 7 years old in October, together. For more information on when Baby Bash and Bling will be in your city, head HERE.
