By: Cal Parish
When Janice Robinson-Celeste launched Successful Black Parenting Magazine in the 1990s, she wasn’t chasing trends—she was answering a call. At a time when Black children rarely, if ever, graced the covers of parenting publications and culturally relevant advice was often nonexistent, Robinson-Celeste saw a gap—and filled it with purpose, passion, and a mission-driven vision that continues to evolve today.
“I was working as a parent educator at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” she recalls. “A coworker saw the parenting articles I wrote for clients and said, ‘This should be bigger.’ That conversation sparked something, and soon, we turned those resources into a full-fledged national publication.”
Blazing a Trail—and Breaking Barriers
Launching a niche magazine is no small feat. Doing so as a Black woman, without traditional funding pipelines, adds layers of difficulty. “Less than one percent of Black-owned businesses receive venture capital,” Robinson-Celeste notes. “And if you’re not a tech company? The odds are stacked against you.”
Despite these hurdles, she pressed forward. Today, Successful Black Parenting Magazine is an international publication with a loyal readership across the U.S. and U.K.—and it’s more than just content. “We don’t just publish articles,” she says. “We advocate. We strive to fight for parents’ rights, shine a light on injustice in schools, and help families navigate tough conversations with institutions.”
Recognition for the Movement
Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Robinson-Celeste has earned numerous accolades, including awards from Women in Communications, the LOVE Award, Allstate’s Woman of Triumph Award, and the Benjamin Franklin Technology Award. Through SBP Publishing, she also produced a children’s board book—Miles’ Stuffy Nose—which earned a Mom’s Choice Gold Seal for excellence.
Still, even as her impact grew, the pushback was real.
“I’ll never forget walking into a major ad agency and being asked, ‘Do Black people even read?’” She recalls. “That lit a fire in me. From that moment on, I was determined to show the world who we are—our intellect, our excellence, our stories.”
Expanding the Legacy
This past year marked a turning point. Successful Black Parenting began collaborating with major brands like Meta, Google, and Disney, significant moves that are propelling the brand into new arenas. From online masterclasses via the Black Parenting Academy to virtual conferences and in-person events on the horizon, Robinson-Celeste is building a multifaceted media ecosystem.
And now, with the launch of her animation studio, Ethnic Animations on YouTube, she’s stepping into a new dimension—creating culturally rich content that reflects the beauty and diversity of Black families.
“I see us expanding in television, animation, and live events,” she says. “This is the beginning of a new chapter.”
A Speaker, Advocate, and Voice for the Culture
With over 25 years of experience as a speaker and entrepreneur, Robinson-Celeste is now taking center stage to share her expertise on parenting, media, and entrepreneurship. “I bring lived experience and a deep understanding of our community. I’m ready to speak, teach, and uplift wherever I go.”
Her aspiration?
“To make Successful Black Parenting Magazine a household name—and a movement that aims to honor, equip, and uplift Black families around the globe.”
Published by Jeremy S.
