Meet Tenise Hordge | Certified Lactation Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tenise Hordge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tenise, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Unfortunately, breastfeeding, the original way we feed our children, has become taboo in our society despite the many benefits to both mother and baby. As a Certified Lactation Counselor, CLC, and a breastfeeding mother of two, I understand both the frustration and beauty of breastfeeding. It can be daunting needing help but not knowing where to turn. Furthermore, African American mothers face significant challenges to breastfeeding, including social economical access to support and resources as well as cultural aversions. My goal is to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. I accomplish this through prenatal education, advocacy, awareness, and building confidence in new moms (parents).

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the operator and owner of Mother’s Magical Milk. I launched this firm to answer the need of a lack of resources, support, and education for nursing mothers (mother’s wanting to nurse). Breastfeeding offers many benefits to both mother and baby, including reduction of certain cancers and instances of metabolic disease in mothers and a reduction of ear infections and reduced instances of childhood diabetes and obesity in children. Additionally, black mothers initiate breastfeeding at a reduced rate then their counterparts yet, lead the country in maternity morbidity and mortality rates.

I left my 20 year corporate career to provide breastfeeding and childbirth education and resources to expecting parents. The transition was easy and really fueled by passion, however I have had tremendous support from friends and family. I encourage those wanting to break away into another field to definitely work with a business coach – or 2!

What sets me a apart from other lactation professionals and childbirth educators is my experiences (both personal and professional) coupled with science and evidence based research that I package and deliver to each of my clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Covid has really changed how we hang out but I would definitely recommend brunch at Madea’s in Everman. You get extremely generous portions of food for the price and excellent customer service. (I do however need a new brunch spot with mimosas!)

Pre Covid, we would definitely catch a play at the Jubilee Theater in downtown Fort Worth or the Dallas Black Arts and Letters. There are great hiking trails (Cedar Hill Park) and the walking paths between the cities (Arlington and Mansfield).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shenece Johns. When my child was in the NICU, Shenece, a friend, colleague, and fellow previous NICU mother, comforted me and heard me regarding my concerns about my child’s care. Not only did she hear the fear of the unknown/worry she also heard the passion I had for being a part of child’s treatment plan and calmly stated that my purpose in life just may be becoming in advocate for other mothers. That was almost exactly 3 years to the date before I recognized and started pursing my passion!

Website: www.mothersmagicalmilk.com

Instagram: @mothersmagicalmilk

Linkedin: Tenise Hordge

Facebook: @mothersmagicalmilk