Hey ForbesBLK. Ayisha Mendez here. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the first time in U.S. history, more babies are being born to women over 40 than to teenagers. While that trend may not be shocking, what continues to stun is the persistence of the motherhood penalty—the measurable career and income sacrifices women make when they become mothers.

Recently, I sat down with Erica Cobb, a TV and podcast host whose latest project, Fertility Unfiltered sheds light on her deeply personal journey with infertility. It’s a challenge that affects Black women at nearly twice the rate of white women, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. 

In our conversation, Cobb, the CEO of digital media company ComebackTV, recalls a pivotal moment early in her career. She landed a dream job, only to overhear leadership suggesting that a future co-worker on maternity leave was no longer needed as Cobb had filled an adjacent role. That moment, Cobb says, revealed the quiet calculations that too often sideline mothers in the workplace. It also impacted her decision to prioritize a career before motherhood.

According to the Institute For Women’s Policy Research, “motherhood accounts for nearly 80% of the gender pay gap in the U.S.” Add to that systemic discrimination, career drop-offs, burnout, and soaring childcare costs – it’s clear: the professional world still hasn’t made room for working mothers, causing many women to delay motherhood. 

“It’s not too late,” Cobb says.  “You can have both.”

Thanks to science, advances in modern medicine, and accessible family planning, women are gaining more agency over when and how they choose to build a family without sacrificing their professional ambitions. Still, at its core, Cobb’s mission is clear: to help women feel less alone, stay more informed, and be empowered to advocate for the lives and careers they deserve.  

Check out the full interview here.

Until next time, stay connected with me on LinkedIn and Instagram!