When San Diego-based content creator Katrena, known to her 25,000 Instagram followers simply by her first name, posted a heartfelt video this week, she wasn’t selling a product, pushing a brand, or chasing clout. She was seeking something far more human: a mother.
“Okay, this might be a crazy request,” she began, looking straight into the camera. “But I hope this reaches the right people… I’m seeking a Black mom.”
The three-minute video — which has since gone viral — features Katrena explaining her desire to “adopt” a maternal figure into her life. Not biologically, but emotionally.
She described herself as a “creative 24/7 and a nanny 6/5,” a 30-year-old San Diegan who loves roller skating on the boardwalk, singing, and reading. But under the humor and charm lies a longing that resonates deeply in the modern age: the need for connection in a fragmented world.
A “Newspaper Ad for the Heart”
Katrena’s post reads like a vintage personal ad:
“Musts: politically progressive & accepting 🏳️🌈, open to weekly/bi-weekly conversations (to vent, catch up, talk about dreams, etc). Preferably: local, 50+, never had kids or have a daughter-shaped hole, believer of God/spiritual.”
She clarifies, however, that she isn’t looking for a “sugar mom” or financial benefactor — just a nurturing presence.
“I’d love to offer you treats,” she laughs. “Coffee dates, salad dates, daughterly support.”
Her vision is simple but profound: two women bridging generations through shared vulnerability and mutual care.
“Maybe you’ve never had kids and always wanted a daughter,” she says in the video. “Or maybe your kids are grown, and you still want that bond. I’m just looking for someone to talk to — a Black mom who’s progressive and accepting.”
A Deeper Cry Beneath the Viral Moment
While some online commenters dismissed the post as odd or performative, many others found it moving — a raw expression of the isolation many adults face in today’s hyperconnected yet emotionally detached culture.
“Not a crazy request at all. I think this is beautiful and brave. Based on the comments I think you are going to find that Black adoptive mom and a whole village of Black women here for you. Count me among them ❤️,” someone commented.
Sociologists note a growing phenomenon known as “chosen family” — non-biological relationships that provide the emotional grounding often missing from traditional family structures. Particularly among younger, queer, and creative communities, this kind of intergenerational connection can serve as a lifeline.
Katrina’s open mention of seeking a Black mother suggests a spiritual and cultural longing for connection within the Black community that transcends bloodlines.
She calls Black mothers “some of the most special beings in the world,” admitting that she’s “sad [she] never had the opportunity of having one.”
That statement, for many, hit home.
The Digital Age of Vulnerability
Katrena’s video represents a new kind of emotional transparency emerging online — a blend of confession, community-building, and faith.
“I’ve been praying for one,” she says softly near the end of her video. “A mother with melanin. I really want one.”
In an age when algorithms often amplify outrage over empathy, her post feels disarmingly human. There’s no irony, no brand tie-in, just a woman acknowledging her emotional needs and trusting that someone might answer.
And some already have. Comments beneath her post show dozens of older Black women offering kind words and open hearts:
“Baby, you already got a Black mama praying for you,” one woman wrote.
“DM me, I live in Chula Vista,” another added.
A Story of Faith, Healing, and Human Need
At its core, Katrena’s appeal isn’t just about finding a “mom.” It’s about reclaiming softness in a world that often punishes vulnerability — especially among women of color and queer individuals. Her willingness to seek love, rather than wait for it, is a quiet act of rebellion.
Whether or not she finds her “Black mom,” Katrena has sparked a conversation that’s deeply relevant in today’s America: how many of us are still walking around with parent-shaped holes, searching for belonging in places that feel like home?
