LIFE WITH KIDS
IS FULL.
REALLY FULL.

Somewhere amidst all of it, our social life just kind of disappeared.
Before now, there was never a version of a mama centered social life.
The Cotary is that version.Real friendships. Real plans. Kids included.

WHAT IS THE COTARY

THE COTARY IS

A social ecosystem for black mothers who can already see the woman they’re becoming internally but want to participate in her more fully in real life.

THE REASON

IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW

The women you meet and immediately talk to like you skipped the small talk entirely.The conversations that somehow turn into voice notes, dinner plans, and “text me when you get home.”Being around women and in spaces that make your life feel bigger.

"A place where you are understood is a place where you can grow".— D.C.

THE MEMBERSHIP

The Cotary
Collective.

A commitment to sisterhood.

The Cotary Collective is a private cultural society for Black mothers centered around intentional gathering, cultural participation, meaningful connection, and real-life experiences.This is our people.

THE SERVICE

Cotary
Curated.

A personalized experience.

Closing the gap between where you are now and who you’re becoming.

A personalized local experience designed for women who know they want more out of life, but need help finding the right entry points into it.

A SPACE FOR US

Cotary Culture

A cultural publication about friendship, beauty, becoming, community, culture, and building a life that feels good to belong to.

ISSUE ONE

Found In Sisterhood.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

•books •music •conversations
•places to go •women to know
•food •wellness •art

Enter your email to receive Issue One.

Closing
The Gap.

Cotary Curated is a custom itinerary built around your personality, your interests, your current season, and the kind of life you want to grow into.

A month of intentional experiences designed to place you in closer proximity to the life you keep imagining for yourself.Because sometimes becoming starts with changing your surroundings.Delivered digitally.
Designed personally.

COTARY CURATED

For what it means to take the first step toward the life you've been imagining.

$40

GOT IT.
YOU ITINERARY
Is On The Way.

While You’re Here

THE EXHALE

Where We
Release It.

A live experience.

Breathe In and Exhale

An Exhale is a live experience designed specifically for Black mothers.You walk in.
The weight gets set down.Every Exhale is different. Every one is designed around one thing.Returning us to ourselves.

The Kids Experience

Our kids are there.
They have their own experience.

Every child leaves with something they made themselves.Their experience is as important as ours.

WHAT THE SOCIETY OFFERS

This Place Was Made
for US

We Gather

Monthly in-person (Saint Louis) and
VIDEO Call ( nationally) gatherings
covered by dues.No agenda beyond being together.This is where the sisterhood forms.

WHAT THE CIRCLE OFFERS

We Are Celebrated

Birthdays, milestones, new babies, job changes, hard anniversaries. The Collective marks them. A real acknowledgment from her sisters.The sisterhood shows up for you.

SHE IS RESOURCED

Legal, housing, childcare, mental health, financial literacy — Citizens have access to vetted professionals at group rates or pro bono through relationships The Cotary builds and holds. She does not have to figure out who to trust. The village already did that.

SHE HAS BUYING POWER

Citizens pool their collective weight for things she already spends money on — groceries, household goods, kids’ supplies, self-care. The Cotary negotiates group rates, bulk orders, and vendor partnerships on her behalf. She saves real money just by being a Citizen. This is also the first layer of long-term economic infrastructure. The village has power together that she does not have alone.

SHE IS EMPLOYED & ELEVATED

Citizens who have skills, businesses, or services are promoted within the village first. The sisterhood spends with each other before going outside. The Cotary maintains a Citizen directory — vetted, trusted, supported.

SHE IS COVERED

Emergency fund. Meal train. Childcare swap. When something happens to one of her sisters, the village moves. This is built into the culture from day one — not a feature, a value.

SHE GROWS

Not wellness content. Real growth — financial literacy, entrepreneurship, legal rights, career, homeownership. Things that change her material reality. Delivered through village relationships and quarterly focus areas.

WHAT THE VILLAGE OFFERS

WE ARE REMEMBERED

The application answers, our story, our season. The Cotary holds it and reminds us how far we have come. We are known here.The sisterhood pays attention.

WHAT THE VILLAGE OFFERS

WE MOVE FORWARD

Every quarter we set a collective goal. A savings challenge. A group experience. A shared skill. Something we build toward together.We are accountable to our sisters, and our sisters are accountable to us.

The Cotary
Collective.

1. We read your application.
2. We learn who you are.
3. We welcome you home.

Become a Citizen

This society is designed for Black mothers who have already done the internal work and are now seeking environments, experiences, and relationships that reflect who they’ve become.Through gatherings, outings, conversations, cultural experiences, and intentional community, citizens participate more fully in life alongside other Black mothers who value curiosity, growth, beauty, connection, and meaningful living.

Membership

COTARY CITIZEN

For what it means to finally find your people.

$33

/month

OR

$297/year

Application required. Acceptance is not guaranteed.

Membership

CORNERSTONE MATRIARCH

For what it means to build a space your community thrives in.

$55/month

OR

$497 /year

Application required. Acceptance is not guaranteed.

The Cotary runs because someone makes it run.
Matriarchs are the women who build and maintain this village.Each Matriarch holds a role inside one of five Circles — welcoming new Citizens, planning and running gatherings, monitoring the health of the community, managing shared resources and the village network, and documenting the culture so the record of this place outlasts all of us.
The load is distributed.
No one woman carries it alone.Application required. Placement is not guaranteed.

Become a Matriarch

Content by
Tyrah

I create short-form video content for brands whose products belong in the life of a real Black woman. Headwraps. Fashion. Family. If your brand is built for her, I want to talk.Inquiries reviewed within 48 hours. Black-owned brands prioritized.

Every piece is
a Declaration.

She wears it because she belongs to something. And belonging to something changes the way you carry yourself.

BACK TO HER COLLECTION

Back to Her.
She's been everything to everyone for so long she forgot she was someone first.This collection is for the woman on her way back to who she actually is.The one who was always there.
Waiting.Finally.

INNERSTAND TEE

She wears it because...She stopped waiting to be understood.
She started innerstanding herself.
That's not small. That's everything.Cream relaxed fit. Sizes XS–2XL.

$44

STILL HER
CAP

She wears it because...She didn't break.
She held everything together when nothing was holding her.
This cap is for her.Forest green corduroy. Gold embroidery. Adjustable fit.

$38.90

The Village Crewneck

Heavyweight fleece · 3 colorways

Coming Soon

The Village Crewneck

Heavyweight fleece · 3 colorways

Coming Soon

The Village Crewneck

Heavyweight fleece · 3 colorways

Coming Soon

The Village Crewneck

Heavyweight fleece · 3 colorways

Coming Soon

The shop launches when the village does. Join the membership waitlist to be first to know when pieces drop.

ABOUT HER

I'm Tyrah Markesh. Mother of nine. Homeschool mom. Founder.I was ready. Ready for friendships that go somewhere. Real community. A sisterhood built around who we are and not what we've been through.I grew up without it. Reached adulthood and looked for it. Couldn't find it. So I built it.Finally

— Tyrah
Creative Director, The Cotary

The Exhale — The Cotary
The Exhale · Unplugged
When Was The Last Time
You Had A Moment
To Yourself.
What You're Walking Into
A beautiful room.
Nothing is required of you.
You walk in. You drop your phone at the door. You find your spot — already set up, already waiting for you. There is soft music. There is something warm to drink. There are books if you want them.

For 90 minutes you do absolutely nothing. You sit. You rest. You stare out the window if that's what your body needs. Nobody is going to ask you for anything. Nobody needs you to perform or produce or hold it together.

You just exist. That's the whole thing.
Who's In The Room
20 Black mothers.
That's it.
This is not a networking event. Nobody is going to make you introduce yourself or share your story. You don't have to talk to anyone.

But you will be in a room full of women who understand exactly what it took to walk through the door. Women whose Tuesday looks like yours. That part happens whether you say a word or not.
The Kids Experience
They are not sitting in a corner.
They have their own thing.
Your kids are in another room with trained, vetted staff the entire time. They are busy. They are engaged. They are not thinking about you.

Every child builds their own MOM.ENT Box — an activity kit built around one idea: what do I do when mom needs a moment. They build it themselves. They share what they made. They go home with it.

Some of them will leave with a new friend.
0 – 4Held, celebrated, and seen — the same thing you came here for.
5 – 9They leave knowing they can handle themselves. They built something that says — when mom needs a moment, I've got me.
10 +They leave knowing they can create peace for themselves. On their terms. In any space.
Is It Worth It
One ticket.
Every person in your family.
$275 flat. Covers you and every child you bring. No per-kid charge. No add-ons.

A spa day runs $150–$300 and your kids aren't handled. A sitter alone costs $80–$150. A family outing costs $50 a head with none of the intention.

This is the only thing that takes care of all of you at the same time.
What If I'm Uncomfortable
Good. That means
you needed this.
If sitting still feels strange, that's not a sign something is wrong. That's a sign you have been going without stopping for so long that rest feels foreign.

You don't have to do it right. You just have to show up.
WhenSunday, September 20 · 2:00 PM
WhereSt. Louis, Missouri
ForBlack mothers and their children.
Capacity20 women. When it's full, it's full.
One Ticket
$275
You + all your children.
Flat rate. No exceptions.
20
Women Only
Work With Us — The Cotary
Work With Us
We don't work
with everyone.
The women who walk through our doors are not easy to impress. They have earned their skepticism. They don't trust easily, they can't be sold to, and they can spot inauthenticity before you finish your sentence.

When they love something — they tell people. Not because they were asked to. Because they trust their own judgment and they share what they believe in.

That word of mouth cannot be manufactured. It cannot be bought through traditional advertising. It lives in group chats, in church lobbies, in conversations over someone's kitchen table.

That is what a partnership with The Cotary offers.
How It Works
Vetting first.
Bid second.
Placement earned.
1
You Apply
Product partners send samples. Event sponsors complete our questionnaire. Either way, the conversation starts with us learning who you are — not what you're offering.
2
We Vet
We test your product personally. We research your brand independently. We review how you treat your people and what your business stands for. Every approved brand receives written feedback regardless of outcome.
3
You Bid
Up to three approved brands per category are invited to bid for placement. The highest bid wins. One brand per category. Exclusivity is earned — not sold.
4
We Partner
A signed agreement locks in the terms. You deliver. We hold the standard. Every person in that room goes home knowing your brand was in the room because it deserved to be.
What We Don't Do
We don't sell placement. No amount of money bypasses the vetting process.
We don't compromise the room. If a product or brand doesn't meet our standard, it doesn't get in. Period.
We don't work with brands we haven't personally experienced. If we haven't used it, worn it, eaten it, or tried it — it's not going in front of our community.
We don't partner with brands whose values conflict with the women we serve. This is non-negotiable.
Two Ways to Work With Us
Choose your track.
Track One
Product Partner
Your product is placed in the room during a Cotary Exhale event. Every attendee interacts with it. Every attendee leaves with it in their MOM.ENT Box. You send samples first. We test them personally. If approved, you bid for the placement.
Track Two
Event Sponsor
Your brand is recognized as a community partner of The Cotary. Name and logo on the event flyer and landing page. A personal acknowledgment from the founder at the event. You complete our questionnaire first. We research independently. If approved, you bid for the placement.
Ready to Start
Start the
conversation.
If you believe your brand belongs in this room — reach out. Tell us who you are and which track you're interested in. We'll take it from there.
→ Get In Touch

Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: April 2026
Effective Date: April 2026These Terms & Conditions govern your use of The Cotary website, events, membership, products, and any other services offered by The Cotary, a DBA of DOTÉA LLC, based in St. Louis, Missouri.By accessing our website, purchasing a ticket, joining the waitlist, becoming a member, or purchasing a product, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.1. Who We AreThe Cotary is a community brand for Black mothers, operating as a DBA of DOTÉA LLC, a registered limited liability company in the State of Missouri.Contact: [email protected]
Website: thecotary.com2. Age RequirementYou must be 18 years of age or older to use this website, purchase tickets, join the Cotary Collective membership, or purchase products from our shop. By using our services you confirm that you meet this requirement.3. The Exhale EventsTickets
All event tickets are sold through our ticketing platform. Ticket prices are listed at the time of purchase and are final.Refunds
If The Cotary cancels an event, you will receive a full refund within 10 business days. If you are unable to attend after purchasing a ticket, tickets are non-refundable. Tickets may be transferred to another eligible attendee at your discretion — please notify us at [email protected] if you transfer your ticket.Conduct
The Cotary events are intentional, community-centered spaces. We reserve the right to remove any attendee whose conduct conflicts with the values, safety, or integrity of the space — with no refund obligation.Children
Children attending Cotary events are the responsibility of their parent or guardian. The Cotary and DOTÉA LLC are not liable for injury, illness, or incident involving a minor attendee beyond the standard of reasonable care provided by our staff.Photography and Recording
The Cotary may photograph or record events for brand purposes. By attending you consent to being photographed or recorded in group or ambient shots. If you have concerns, notify us before the event.4. The Cotary Collective MembershipEligibility
Membership in the Cotary Collective is by application only. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. The Cotary reserves the sole right to accept or decline any application for any reason.Billing
Membership is billed at $33 per month. Billing begins on the date your membership is activated. You authorize recurring monthly charges until you cancel.Cancellation
You may cancel your membership at any time by contacting [email protected]. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle. No partial refunds are issued for unused days in a billing period.Conduct
The Cotary Collective is a private, vetted community. Members are expected to engage with honesty, respect, and care. The Cotary reserves the right to remove any member whose conduct conflicts with the values of the community — with no refund obligation.5. The ShopProducts
All product descriptions and prices are listed at the time of purchase. We reserve the right to update pricing or discontinue products at any time.Orders
Once an order is placed and payment is confirmed, we will process and ship within the timeframe listed at checkout. You will receive a confirmation email with tracking information when your order ships.Returns and Refunds
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days of delivery at [email protected] with a photo of the issue. We will replace or refund damaged or incorrect items. All other sales are final.Shipping
We currently ship within the United States. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. The Cotary is not responsible for delays caused by carriers once an order has shipped.6. MOM.ENT BOXMOM.ENT Boxes are included as part of The Cotary Exhale events and may be offered as standalone products in the future. Contents vary by event and product release. All sales are final. If your box arrives damaged, contact us within 7 days of delivery.7. User Submitted ContentWhen you submit information through our forms — including waitlist applications, membership applications, or questionnaire responses — you grant The Cotary permission to use that information internally for the purpose of operating our services. We do not sell, share, or publish your submissions without your consent.8. Intellectual PropertyAll content on thecotary.com — including but not limited to text, design, graphics, logos, and the names The Cotary, The Cotary Collective, The Exhale, and MOM.ENT Box — is the property of DOTÉA LLC and may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed without written permission.9. Partnerships and SponsorshipsBrand partners and sponsors working with The Cotary are subject to a separate Collaboration Agreement or Sponsorship Agreement, which governs the specific terms of each engagement. These Terms & Conditions apply to all general interactions with The Cotary brand and website.10. Limitation of LiabilityThe Cotary and DOTÉA LLC are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of our website, attendance at our events, use of our products, or participation in our membership community.Our total liability to you for any claim arising from our services shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 30 days preceding the claim.11. Changes to These TermsWe may update these Terms & Conditions at any time. When we do, we will update the date at the top of this document. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.12. Governing LawThese terms are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of our services shall be resolved in the courts of St. Louis, Missouri.13. ContactQuestions about these terms? Reach us at [email protected].The Cotary · A DBA of DOTÉA LLC · St. Louis, Missouri

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 2026
Effective Date: April 2026This Privacy Policy explains how The Cotary, a DBA of DOTÉA LLC, collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our website, purchase tickets or products, join our waitlist, or become a member of the Cotary Collective.By using our services you agree to the practices described in this policy.1. Who We AreThe Cotary is a community brand for Black mothers, operating as a DBA of DOTÉA LLC, a registered limited liability company in the State of Missouri.Contact: [email protected]
Website: thecotary.com2. What Information We CollectInformation you give us directly:
- Your name and email address when you join our waitlist or submit a form
- Your responses to application and questionnaire forms
- Your name, email, and any other information you provide when applying for Cotary Collective membership
- Your name, email, shipping address, and order details when you purchase a productInformation collected through third-party services:
- Stripe processes all payments on our behalf. When you make a purchase, Stripe may collect your payment card information and billing address. The Cotary does not store your full payment details. Stripe's privacy practices are governed by their own Privacy Policy at stripe.com/privacy.
- Form processing — Some of our forms are powered by a third-party form service. Information you submit through these forms is collected and shared with us. The form service's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy.
- Website hosting — Our website is hosted by a third-party hosting provider. Basic site interaction data may be collected as part of that hosting. The hosting provider's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy.Information collected automatically:
- We may use website analytics tools in the future to understand how visitors use our site. If and when we do, we will update this policy to reflect what is collected and how it is used. At this time no analytics tools are active on our site.
- Our website may use cookies or similar technologies as part of our hosting platform. These are used for basic site functionality, not for advertising or tracking.3. How We Use Your InformationWe use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiries and communications
- Process ticket purchases, product orders, and membership subscriptions
- Review and respond to waitlist and membership applications
- Send you updates, event information, and community communications you have opted into
- Operate and improve our services
- Fulfill our legal and contractual obligationsWe do not use your information for automated decision-making or profiling.4. How We Share Your InformationWe do not sell your personal information. Ever.We share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers — We share information with third-party platforms like Stripe, Tally, and Carrd only to the extent necessary to operate our services.
- Legal requirements — We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal request.
- Business transfers — If DOTÉA LLC is acquired or merged with another entity, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.5. How We Store and Protect Your InformationWe take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.Your information is stored for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law.6. Your ChoicesEmail communications
You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send. You will continue to receive transactional emails related to purchases or membership until those are cancelled.Membership and account information
You may request that we update or delete your personal information by contacting us at [email protected]. We will respond within 10 business days.Form submissions
If you have submitted information through one of our forms and would like it removed, contact us at [email protected].7. Children's PrivacyOur services are intended for adults 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.8. Third-Party LinksOur website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies independently.9. Changes to This PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy at any time. When we do, we will update the date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.10. ContactQuestions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information? Reach us at [email protected].The Cotary · A DBA of DOTÉA LLC · St. Louis, Missouri