Ep. 34: Raising Dorian Thompson-Robinson

03/07/23 • 83 min

Former Bishop Gorman star and UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson rewrote the record books during his college career with the Bruins. But on his way to becoming UCLA's all-time leader in passing yards, total yards, completions, and touchdowns, his mom opens up about how much outside criticism - and blatant racism - her son has endured as a Black quarterback.

Melva Thompson-Robinson, DrPH, is a tenured professor and Advisor of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice to the Dean of the UNLV School of Nursing. She joins the show a couple days after watching her son throw the fastest ball in the history of the NFL combine.

A mom of three, Melva shares a wealth of advice for parents trying to help their kids navigate the college recruiting process. An active voice on twitter, she talks about dealing with detractors and how she decides when to walk away, and when to swing back at anonymous critis online.

Her stories and insights on what it means to be a Black American in 2023 are essential, and the work she is doing to help promote health equity in communities of color is inspirational.

Our deep thanks to Melva for joining Your Mom, to BodyArmor for their continued support of the show, and to you, our fabulous and beautiful listeners!

Questions, ideas or feedback? Email: [email protected].

Psst...our merch store is live! yourmom.co/shop

Her stories and insights on what it means to be a Black American in 2023 are essential, and the work she is doing to help promote health equity in communities of color is inspirational.

Our deep thanks to Melva for joining Your Mom, to BodyArmor for their continued support of the show, and to you, our fabulous and beautiful listeners!

Questions, ideas or feedback? Email: [email protected].

Psst...our merch store is live! yourmom.co/shop

Previous Episode

Solomon Thomas is our NFL Man of the Year [Super Bowl series]

Your Mom's Super Bowl bonus week coverage rolls on with a two-for-one special, featuring two of the most special people we know.

Solomon Thomas and his mom Martha joined the set in Phoenix before hitting the red carpet for the NFL Honors awards ceremony last month. Solomon was the 2022 New York Jets' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and - like any man of the year would - he invited his mom to be his plus one.

Solomon played football with Lisa's son Christian at Stanford, and you can tell by some of the stories that start flying just how many memories these two families have shared.

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is one of the league's most prestigious honors, recognizing an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. Solly may not have won that award this year, but he's officially Your Mom's NFL Man of the Year and we think that's the vote that really matters anyways.

To learn more about the critical work Solomon and his family are doing to honor his late sister Ella, please go to their website: https://thedefensiveline.org/. And congrats again to Solomon, the inaugural Your Mom NFL Man of the Year!

You can support us by supporting our partners! We are able to keep growing and celebrating motherhood because of their support. Flexpower is a black-founded, woman-led company dedicated to helping you get moving and stay moving. Their natural pain relief products help calm your muscles, clear your head and nourish your skin. For 20% off their amazing products, use our code YM20.

Check out this episode and additional bonus material on Your Mom's YouTube page.

Questions, ideas or feedback? Email: [email protected].

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Next Episode

Ep. 35: Raising Ndamukong Suh

Bernadette Suh has a fascinating story. Born in Jamaica and raised by her grandparents, she didn't meet her own mother until she moved to the U.S. when she was 15 years old. After living with her parents for three years in Boston, Bernadette moved across the country to go to college in Oregon. She started a career in Early Childhood Education, got married, and had two gifted children of her own.

Her daughter Ngum Suh, played soccer at Mississippi State and was a member of the Cameroon women's national team. Her son Ndamukong Suh was an All-American defensive lineman at Nebraska. One of the most decorated players in college football history, he was drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2010. Suh has played for five NFL teams, competed in three Super Bowls, and in 13 NFL seasons has never missed a game because of an injury. He is currently with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Bernadette opens up about her childhood, how she raised her kids, and what she worried the most about as a mom. She divulges the one thing she wishes she had known before she got divorced, but also details why she is cherishing retirement and this current phase of life on her own. As an Early Childhood Educator for nearly 35 years, she has a unique take on the one thing she believes many parents are getting wrong.

You can watch the full episode on our YouTube Channel.

For more background on Ndamukong Suh's business ventures that are discussed, we encourage you to listen to this interview with Bloomberg Sports.

You can learn more about the amazing work Bernadette is doing with PFPMA by visiting their website, https://www.pfpma.org/

Thanks for listening and please go hug a mom today!

Questions, ideas or feedback? Email: [email protected].

Psst...our merch store is live! yourmom.co/shop