Altrichia Cook-Wilcox’s purpose is rooted in faith, family, and a calling to leave a legacy of love and leadership.
Born to ministers, Altrichia was raised with a front-row seat to what it means to serve others. That legacy of care lives through her work as a mom, wife, grandmother, and founder of M.A.M.A. Inc.— a nonprofit mentoring agency for maternal adolescents.
The philanthropist’s experience as a teen mom, who navigated college with a newborn, ultimately inspired her life goal of helping other teen moms defy the odds and prevent teen pregnancy from becoming a roadblock.
“College was already hard, but I did it with a newborn and two jobs,” she shares with BrownStyle Magazine exclusively. “Everything I’ve achieved has been through the grace of God.”
While navigating her college journey, Altrichia volunteered with YoungLives, an organization that supports teen mothers, with her baby boy in tow. Earning two degrees while raising her son became the blueprint for something bigger.
M.A.M.A. Inc. Empowers Young Mothers Through Thoughtful Mentorship & Programming
By 2012, after returning to her hometown of Lakeland, Florida, Altrichia began mentoring through the local school board’s Teen Parent Program.
“For me, mentorship is heart work,” Altrichia explains. “It’s deeply personal. I’ve watched young women grow into amazing mothers, earn degrees, launch businesses, and come back to mentor others. It’s a full-circle moment every time.”
That impact can be felt in every initiative of M.A.M.A. Inc., especially the Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away, a soulful celebration designed to honor moms who defied the odds. (The acronym “BREAK” stands for Beautify, Reset, Embrace, Affirm, and Kickback.)
BrownStyle Magazine proudly partnered with M.A.M.A. Inc. for this year’s event. “It was a purposeful collaboration,” Altrichia says. “BrownStyle’s mission of celebrating self-care, opulence, unity, and love aligns perfectly with everything we stand for. Together, we gave these moms a space to feel valued, seen, and celebrated.”
With the support of Polk County Schools Teen Parent Program Director LaTonnja Key, she hosted M.A.M.A. Inc.’s first Sweetheart Seminar in 2014—a one-day empowerment event that has since become a powerful annual tradition. (This February marked its 11th year, celebrating young mothers with inspiration, encouragement, and the tools to thrive.)
This year’s event came with a historic honor. During the 2025 Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away, Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz officially proclaimed May 4, 2025, as Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away Day—a powerful acknowledgment of Altrichia’s impact on her community.
“It was a moment I’ll never forget,” she says. “To have the city recognize the importance of this work means the world—not just to me, but to every mother we serve.”
Rewriting The Narrative For Young Mothers
Authenticity is at the heart of everything Altrichia builds. “Teen moms need real support, not surface-level encouragement,” she shares. “I always tell my mentees that I don’t mean harm, but I do mean business.”
Through M.A.M.A. Inc., she’s built a foundation where vulnerability is honored, strength is cultivated, and self-care is non-negotiable.
She explains, “We can’t pour from an empty cup. I’ve learned that caring for myself is the only way I can truly show up for others. My sister, Applemania Bradford, founder of Teacher BAE, Inc., has taught me about what real self-care looks like. It’s not about perfection, it’s about progression.”
That belief in progression is already fueling what’s next.
This graduation season, M.A.M.A. Inc. is launching SIMOO Clicks 4 Grad Pics, an initiative that provides high school senior moms with professional cap-and-gown photos, complete with makeup and glam. These portraits are proof that motherhood and success can coexist. “It’s about helping these young women feel confident, celebrated, and seen,” Altrichia says. “Success is their only option.”
Altrichia Cook-Wilcox is showing us what’s possible when purpose meets passion. With M.A.M.A. Inc., she’s not only changing lives—she’s planting seeds of greatness that will bloom for generations.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
