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Meet D.M. Whitaker
Homeschooling is on the rise in Black communities, and more families are embracing it as a powerful way to reclaim educational freedom, cultural identity, and intentional parenting. In today’s Christian Homeschool Moms podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with D.M. Whitaker, an inspiring author, homeschool mom, and founder of a growing community designed specifically for Black homeschoolers.
This conversation is part of our Summer Interview Marathon Series, where I introduce thought leaders and changemakers who are transforming education with purpose and faith. D.M.’s story is a shining example of what happens when a mother answers the call to create safe spaces for families who too often feel overlooked.
From Crisis to Calling: A Homeschool Journey
D.M. never imagined she’d be a homeschool mom. With a background as a reading teacher, she planned to return to the classroom after having her first child. But life shifted drastically when her newborn son required open-heart surgery just three days after birth. In the whirlwind of hospital stays, medical emergencies, and a cross-country move to Texas, D.M. began seeking spiritual grounding and purpose.
At a Bible Study Fellowship in San Antonio, she found herself surrounded by other homeschooling moms—and the idea took root. “I’d taught other people’s kids for years,” she said. “I realized I could teach my own.”
What started as an unexpected lifestyle shift quickly became a calling. As she moved back to her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, she continued homeschooling her two sons. But the co-op spaces available were often lacking in diversity, inclusion, and understanding of the cultural needs of Black homeschoolers.
Why Safe Spaces Matter for Black Homeschoolers
D.M. shared a painful experience that many Black homeschoolers can relate to: being in a majority-white co-op where her child was racially profiled. Despite paying full tuition and participating actively, her son was accused in an incident where “the only descriptor was ‘a Black boy’”—and he happened to be the only Black child in the class.
This became a defining moment.
Rather than withdraw into isolation, D.M. chose to create a space where her children—and others like them—could thrive. She teamed up with another mom and launched a grassroots effort that grew into a vibrant and growing co-op designed for Black and Brown homeschool families. What began as playdates has turned into a multi-family co-learning group with monthly field trips, weekly meetups, and educational days on local college campuses.
This co-op isn’t about rigid structure. It’s about fostering community, cultural identity, and support. In a world where Black homeschoolers often struggle to find representation and support, D.M. has planted seeds of hope and wholeness.
Authorship and Advocacy Through Storytelling
Beyond homeschooling, D.M. is an accomplished children’s book author with over 30 titles that address everything from social-emotional learning to hygiene and identity. Her latest book, The Grand Adventures of Jade and Grace: A Girl’s Guide to Navigating Periods and Friendships, was co-written with her twin sister, a licensed therapist.
D.M. recalls their childhood memories of reading The Babysitter’s Club, and how those books inspired a love of storytelling. Today, she channels that same spirit into books for Black and Brown girls navigating friendship, peer pressure, identity, and puberty. Her new title tackles conversations that many parents find difficult, providing a gentle entry point into womanhood for young girls.
Helping Others Share Their Stories
After a difficult first publishing experience, D.M. launched Water Rocks Publishing, a boutique publishing and branding agency. Her mission is to help authors, speakers, and creatives retain the rights to their work, build authority, and publish with confidence. Her work is deeply rooted in faith and service.
“If it doesn’t glorify God, I don’t need to do it,” she shared. Her commitment to integrity and impact runs through every aspect of her work.
D.M. also teaches branding and marketing workshops at her local community college, where she helps entrepreneurs and creatives understand how to elevate their platforms. Whether it’s through teaching Canva to authors or coaching clients through self-publishing, she is equipping others to walk boldly in their purpose.
Faith, Family, and First Ministry
For D.M., success isn’t just measured in books published or families served—it’s about obedience to God’s calling. Her first ministry is to her family, and all other projects flow from that foundation. Whether running children’s church, supporting her husband in ministry, or homeschooling her sons, she keeps her priorities anchored in faith.
This season has taught her the power of saying “yes” to what God has called her to—and “no” to what distracts from her purpose. It’s a lesson that resonates deeply with many Black homeschoolers who are not only educating at home but leading, nurturing, and protecting their children against systemic challenges.
What’s Next for D.M. Whitaker?
From virtual pajama parties for girls entering puberty to comic books created with her sons, D.M.’s upcoming projects are full of innovation and love. She’s also writing a branding book for authors and continuing to grow her agency. You can explore her work at dmwhitaker.com and learn about publishing opportunities at waterrockspublishing.com.
Final Thoughts: Community is the Curriculum
Black homeschoolers often face the dual challenge of navigating both educational needs and cultural disconnect. What D.M. Whitaker is doing matters. She’s not just homeschooling her kids—she’s building a legacy of empowerment, representation, and faith-filled leadership.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or a veteran mama looking for community, this episode is a must-listen. And as we celebrate Juneteenth and continue the journey toward freedom and equity, may we be reminded that education is one of the most powerful tools of liberation.
Be encouraged, mama. You are not alone.
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