Matriarch: A Memoir

Knowles and Mathew soon learned that Beyoncé loved jazz. It was one of the best ways to calm her when she was upset. Shortly before Beyoncé’s first birthday, Lumis fell ill. Knowles was almost constantly at his bedside, but wasn’t there when he died. At Lumis’s funeral, Knowles realized how special her father was.

Knowles reflects on her first years as a mother. When Beyoncé was three, Knowles started attending Franklin Beauty School. However, she dropped out when she discovered how much trouble Beyoncé was having at daycare. Not long later, Knowles’s friend Cheryl came over with her infant, Coline, and had Knowles do her hair. Cheryl encouraged Knowles to open her own salon. During the visit, Knowles observed Beyoncé with Coline and wondered about having another child.

Knowles and Mathew took a trip abroad that fall. The trip was positive, but Knowles soon realized that her and Mathew’s marriage wasn’t working, as he was often unfaithful. However, she soon discovered that she was pregnant again. Knowles began planning her escape: She wanted to start her own business to provide for herself and her children.

While pregnant with her second child, Knowles began formulating a business plan with Cheryl’s help. She also attended and completed beauty school. Finally, she found a space for her salon, which she planned to call Headliners. A few months later, Knowles gave birth to Solange Piaget Knowles. Mathew was distant during this time and involved with another woman. Knowles insisted that if he didn’t commit to counseling, she would leave him. Mathew agreed and counseling helped their marriage.

Meanwhile, the family welcomed Solange, who showed early signs of loving language as much as Beyoncé loved music. Knowles was working on her business plan, too.

One day her niece Denise and her daughter Ebony came to live with Knowles. Beyoncé and Ebony developed a close relationship; Knowles was thrilled that Beyoncé had a friend. Just before Headliners opened, Knowles brought Solange to Mathew’s mother in Alabama. She cared for Solange while Knowles launched Headliners.

Knowles opened Headliners. The salon prioritized making women feel good and was an instant success. Mathew started a new job and the family made plans to move. Meanwhile, Knowles formed a bond with Solange and renewed her connection with Larry’s daughter Angie.

By the end of 1986, Knowles’s family was living on Parkwood Drive. Denise and Ebony were still with them. Meanwhile, Headliners thrived. Then one day, Knowles discovered that Ebony and Beyoncé were mistreated at school. They were denied lunch even though Knowles had given them money. Knowles wanted to stand up for her girls so they’d know they were valuable and beautiful.

After Denise and Ebony moved out, Beyoncé became more quiet and shy. She also faced bullying. To treat her daughters, Knowles started taking them out of school for Wednesday beach days. She remembers how “happy and free” (184) they seemed dancing together on the beach.

Knowles enrolled Beyoncé in dance class with Miss Darlette Johnson. One day, Miss Darlette took Knowles aside to remark on Beyoncé’s singing talent. She encouraged Knowles to let her participate in a talent competition. Knowles and Mathew were shocked when they saw Beyoncé perform—she was transformed on stage.

From then on, Beyoncé began participating in pageants. Beyoncé was a natural and established herself in the pageant world quickly. Meanwhile, she and Solange continued attending Miss Darlette’s dance class. They excelled and outshone their peers; however, they were always humble and kind.

Beyoncé joined a group called Girls Tyme. Beyoncé proved herself a leader from the start. However, she got upset when another girl, Ashley, was given all of her parts. Knowles insisted that Beyoncé work harder and take advantage of her voice lessons. She listened to Knowles, took the lessons, and earned back her parts.

Around this time, Johnny’s partner Peanut was diagnosed with and died from cancer. Johnny was devastated. His grief worsened when Peanut’s family barred him from the funeral. In an attempt to help him, Knowles invited him to move in and help with the girls.

Kelendria (Kelly) Trene Rowland joined Girls Tyme. She and Beyoncé formed an instant connection. Knowles befriended Kelly’s mom Doris. Knowles soon invited Kelly to live with her family because Kelly’s dad wasn’t around and Doris was “a live-in nanny for white families” (201), many of whom didn’t want her bringing Kelly along.

While Beyoncé and Kelly devoted themselves to Girls Tyme, Solange developed a passion for writing and storytelling. Meanwhile, Knowles started costuming for Girls Tyme. Kelly stayed with them throughout this period. Knowles was always careful to invest in and show Kelly love.

As the girls grew up, Knowles was careful to teach them about love and acceptance. She often had them volunteer with her and the church. She believes these experiences taught them vital lessons. Meanwhile, she continued running Headliners and working on her and Mathew’s magazine Hair International.

Finally, Girls Tyme got to compete in Star Search. When they lost, Mathew asked the host what they could do to improve. He suggested they work hard and keep trying. Afterwards, Mathew quit his job to focus on Girls Tyme. Since they had to rehearse so often, Solange was often left out.

When Solange showed an interest in entertainment too, Knowles reminded her she could pursue other things, but she let Solange make her own choice. Meanwhile, she noticed distance forming between Solange and Beyoncé. Worried, she brought them to a therapist. Over time, their relationship improved.

Knowles and Johnny’s relationship suffered when Johnny started seeing someone Knowles didn’t approve of. Johnny soon moved out. In the meantime, Knowles tried to plan for Headliners’ future and worked closely with her assistant Abel Gomez.

Mathew secured Girls Tyme a deal with Silent Partner Productions and Daryl Simmons. Knowles, Mathew, and the other girls’ families agreed to let them travel to Atlanta, but they had to have parental supervision at all times. They also told Daryl they didn’t want the girls exposed to drugs, smoking, or alcohol. He was understanding, but soon violated their agreement. When Knowles pushed back, Daryl canceled the contract. She and Mathew soon discovered the production company had gone under.

Meanwhile, Solange struggled at school, as her teacher displayed overt discrimination in the classroom. Knowles and Mathew stepped in. Not long later, Knowles decided to leave Mathew when she discovered he’d taken the rest of her savings and put them back into Hair International without telling her, even though the two of them had previously decided to end the magazine.

Knowles made plans to leave Mathew. She found new schools for Beyoncé, Kelly, and Solange. Then she found them a new apartment. When they moved in, she told the girls she and Mathew were breaking up. The girls were upset, but Knowles tried to do her best. They continued seeing Mathew and she never said anything bad about him. In retrospect, she admits that saying nothing made it harder for the girls to understand their situation.

The family spent Christmas together. Knowles realized she was still in love with Mathew and she and the girls moved home. Things seemed better. Mathew started helping Girls Tyme again and they secured a record deal with Columbia.