Welcome to grownwoman! In this episode, CeCe Boozer shares her extraordinary journey of motherhood, faith, and sacrifice.
When doctors diagnosed her unborn son, Carmani, with sickle cell anemia, they told her what was best—but deep down, CeCe knew she had to take charge of his life. Following her mother’s intuition, she made the unthinkable decision to bear twins as donor matches to save him.
Join CeCe and Shannon as they dive into the power of a mother’s instinct; why you are the expert on your child, not the medical system, and why listening to that inner voice is sometimes the difference between life and death.
CeCe also opens up about the pressures of raising sons under the shadow of their famous NBA father, Carlos Boozer, how faith carried her through every challenge, and how her family’s health struggles led her to build assisted living facilities to help others.
Listen in for an unforgettable story of resilience, sacrifice, and the power of a mother’s intuition. If you’ve ever had to stand firm in the face of doubt or fight for someone you love, this conversation is for you.
KEY POINTS
(02:15) CeCe openly shares her fear and vulnerability about her children leaving home.
(04:57) CeCe shares her son’s sickle cell diagnosis and the life-changing decision to go through another pregnancy to be her son’s donors.
(14:10) She reflects on supporting her children’s dreams and the values she hopes to instill.
(30:25) Cece on serving others and maintaining humble, outward-thinking perspectives.
(34:50) How CeCe credits her farm upbringing for the discipline and perseverance behind her success.
(38:35) CeCe and Shannon discuss raising feminist sons who value and are respectful to women.
(42:28) She discusses transitioning from hands-on parenting to a steady source of support as her kids grow.
QUOTES
“I had stopped saying to myself: ‘I have to do it.’ And I started saying: ‘I get to do it.’” – CeCe Boozer
“Being a grown woman means that you encompass all of your founding principles, and that's different for everybody. For me – [it] is love, being a servant spirit, [and] family.” – CeCe Boozer
“If your foundation isn't correct, then it doesn't matter what you build on top of it, it's all going to fall.” – CeCe Boozer
GUEST RESOURCES
CeCe Boozer
IG | @3amigosmom
RESOURCES
Shannon Allen
Grown Website | https://www.grown.org/
IG | @swalkerwil
🌱 Stay Connected & Explore More
🔗 Visit the Grown Website Grown.org
📲 Follow Shannon on Instagram @swalkerwil
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Grown Woman is produced by EPYC Media Network