Roleen Demmings
Roleen is an elementary school teacher and a fitness instructor. She created Baddie Cardio, an intense workout series, powered by popular hip-hop, latin and reggae music. Roleen resides on the westside of Indianapolis with her husband, Antoine and their three children: Reya, Maxwell and Aria. She enjoys hosting epic themed parties, composing educational songs and fanatically shopping for lipstick at MAC.
Beyond Goodbye: Embracing Life After Loss
The moment I reached out for help navigating my grief is permanently etched in my memory. My mom had died a month prior, and...
Harmony at Sea: Disney’s Racially Inclusive Voyage
As a Black girl growing up in a predominantly Caucasian suburb, it was clear that I was different. None of my teachers or friends...
Ink Therapy: How Tattoos Helped Me Grieve
Tattoo parlors are filled with people addicted to ink. Some love the artistic expression, while others aim to brand themselves with a mantra or...
A Lifeboat in the Ocean of Grief: How Our Puppy Brought Us Joy
My mom was in hospice care when she met our puppy, Remy. Never a fan of dogs, she looked at his wriggling, fluffy body...
Mimi’s Heaven Party: Saying Goodbye to our Beloved Mom and Grandma
Fluffing her tutu until it was just right, my two-year-old daughter, Aria, was finally ready to sit front and center for her Mimi's Heaven...
Thanksgiving Without My Mom
With eyes as wide as saucers, my three-year-old daughter, Aria, whispered loudly to her baby doll, “Mommy said we are running away from the...
Raising Libras: The Internal Justice Scales Never Tip
Zodiac signs are spoken of frequently to excuse unflattering behavior or explain extreme emotions. I’m sure you’ve heard someone dismiss their stubbornness, sharing that...
Celebrating the Fourth of July as a Black American
As a child of immigrants, the Fourth of July was just another day. I didn't start celebrating it until high school when my American...
The Password Kid: I Have a Favorite Child and That’s OK
With a bold smirk, my preteen daughter, Reya, enters the room and gets close to my face. "I know the answer to this, "she...
Stop Killing Us: The Pain and Pride of Being Black in America
Keenan Anderson was an educator and a parent, just like me. When I saw his death on social media, my heart felt like it...
Smile! It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month!
My one-year-old son, Maxwell, carries his stuffed toy Elmo everywhere with him: in the car, in his high chair, and to bed. Elmo endures...
Missing my Dad: Losing a Parent to Type 2 Diabetes
“Through the years, we all will be together, if the fates allow.” That Christmas song line always makes me tear up because I think...
Shhhhh… Mommy has a Migraine
My head was throbbing, and I felt like I could blow chunks at any moment. More than anything, I wanted to crawl into bed...
Playing Second Fiddle in Our Family Orchestra: When You’re Not Your Child’s Favorite
My kid doesn’t like me. OK, I’m being dramatic. Of course, he likes me; I grew him in my womb and breastfed him for...