We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Holmes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jasmine , thanks for joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
I have so many heartwarming stories from my time with DFW Black Moms Walking, and each one reminds me why this work is so important. The best part of this journey is watching women connect, form lasting bonds, and create the support systems they need to heal. One recent moment that really touched me was at a birthday celebration for one of our walk leaders. She shared how our organization had been a lifeline for her during a difficult season of her life, helping her find community and heal. I’ve heard so many stories like this, and every time someone opens up about how DFWBMW has made a difference in their life, it reaffirms that what I’m doing is not only needed but is exactly what I’m meant to be doing. There is truly no feeling more heartwarming than knowing you’re making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, I’m Jasmine Holmes, the Founder and Executive Director of DFW Black Moms Walking (DFBMW). I want to share the story of how this organization came to be, what it stands for, and why it has become so much more than I ever imagined.
DFBMW started from a simple yet profound need: the need for support. As a mother of five and a real estate professional, I found myself overwhelmed. At the time, I had two young children at home, and we couldn’t afford daycare. My family lived far away, and my husband’s family was in Southeast Texas, so we had no local support system. We were stretched thin—trying to balance work, childcare, personal time, and finances—and it began to take a toll on my marriage and my mental health.
We couldn’t do it all alone, and through couples and individual therapy, we learned that we weren’t supposed to. Our therapist helped us realize that we had “too many things in our wagon,” and no support to help us carry it. We needed community. We needed resources. We needed to stop trying to do it all ourselves.
That’s when I had an epiphany during a morning walk. I thought, What if there were a space where mothers like me could come together to share the load, support each other, and find healing? And just like that, DFW Black Moms Walking was born. What started as a small Facebook group soon grew into something much bigger—a powerful community focused on empowerment, sisterhood, and mental health.
Now, going into our third year as a nonprofit, DFWBMW is so much more than a walking group. We’re a movement dedicated to supporting mothers in every aspect of their lives. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help mothers create healthy support systems and provide them with the tools they need to thrive in mind, body, and soul. We focus on quality, not numbers—our community has grown to over 1,500 members, but our true goal is to foster deep, meaningful connections that empower each mother.
One of our core values is collaboration, and we prioritize supporting Black-owned businesses. Every month, we partner with a different Black-owned business, ensuring that our members have access to quality products and services from within our own community. We also want to keep our dollars circulating within the community, which is why everything we do is sourced from Black-owned businesses first.
Our flagship program is a 10-month experience designed to support mothers and their children. We offer two virtual sessions each month with therapists and holistic practitioners who guide mothers on how to manage stress, build resilience, and develop healthier relationships with their children. Once a month, we also host “field trips,” where we take care of all the details so mothers can simply enjoy time with their kids. I know firsthand how hard it can be to find the time and financial resources for simple outings. So we aim to remove those stressors, offering free experiences that help mothers bond with their children without worrying about the cost.
Beyond the core program, we’ve also created the DFWBMW Wellness Pass, which gives our members discounts to Black-owned businesses that prioritize overall health and well-being. The pass also includes access to our co-working sessions and monthly “Momma Self-Care Nights,” where we provide childcare so mothers can take some time for themselves without guilt or financial strain. We’re all about supporting the overall health of mothers—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Our organization is also inclusive of “aunties”—women who may not be mothers themselves but want to support mothers in their communities. These women volunteer, walk with us, and offer their help where they can. Together, we’re redefining what community looks like. It’s not just about what you can do for yourself; it’s about lifting each other up and creating a space where no one feels alone in their journey.
At DFW Black Moms Walking, we believe that collaboration is key, and that when we work together, we all rise. We want to build a supportive ecosystem for mothers—one that nurtures mental health, strengthens bonds, and keeps us connected. If we can’t provide the resources you need, we’ll connect you to the ones who can. We are all about community over competition, and we welcome everyone who wants to join us in this mission of empowerment.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Together, we are walking towards healing, sisterhood, and a stronger, more united community for all mothers.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
The advice I have for managing a team and maintaining high morale is rooted in collaboration. I lead a group of eight walk leaders across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, along with a board of six members and five committee members. What’s remarkable is that all these leaders volunteer their time to help me run DFW Black Moms Walking, which is why fostering a collaborative and supportive environment is so important.
One thing I believe makes me valuable as a leader and encourages others to join this mission is the opportunity to fully be themselves and do what they’re passionate about. Instead of placing people where I think they should be, I ask questions to understand their bigger goals and how I can support them. From there, we naturally find a role within the organization that aligns with their interests and strengths.
Building mutually beneficial relationships is at the core of how I lead, and I make it a priority to regularly check in to ensure we’re staying aligned with each other’s needs and the organization’s goals. I see us all as leaders, and I believe in the philosophy that iron sharpens iron. To pour into my team, I organize leadership meetings and outings, where we share ideas and tools to help each other grow. We also host bonding activities, which give us a chance to connect on a deeper level and build stronger rapport.
One critical piece of maintaining a healthy team dynamic is having mediators on hand. If we ever face misunderstandings or conflicts, these mediators step in to ensure everyone feels heard, seen, and supported. Healthy communication is something many people haven’t had the chance to learn growing up, so I believe it’s essential to create a safe space where everyone’s voice matters.
For me, leading this organization is about more than achieving goals—it’s about building a community where we all grow together and thrive as leaders.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story from my journey that illustrates my resilience is the experience of sometimes being misunderstood. As the leader of a women’s group that prioritizes connection and mental health, people often place me on a pedestal. I’m seen as a healer, a mother figure, or a source of endless support—someone from whom so much is expected.
Recently, at our “Moms’ Self-Care Night,” we were doing an icebreaker where each woman spoke positive affirmations to another for 60 seconds. As we went around the circle, so many women cried because they rarely hear affirming words and deeply needed that moment of love and validation. When it was my turn, I laughed. What I kept hearing was “outreach,” and my reaction was taken as me not engaging as deeply as the others.
What people don’t always realize is that, as the facilitator, I’m constantly in the background making sure everything flows smoothly. At events like these, I often can’t fully immerse myself in the experience because I’m leading it in so many ways. My humor and goofiness are how I process things—it’s my way of coping, staying grounded, and managing the many roles I carry.
I’ve had to learn to stand firm in who I am and stay true to myself, even when others try to project their feelings or expectations onto me. My resilience comes from unapologetically being ME, always with the best intentions, even when I’m misunderstood. It’s a reminder that staying authentic is the key to thriving as a leader. Thank you to the ones who see me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dfwblackmomswalkin.wixsite.com/my-site-3
- Instagram: @dfwblackmomswalking
- Facebook: DFW Black Moms Walking
Image Credits
Camping photos by : @pottersclayphoto