About us
Our History
In 1997, friends Jolene Ivey and Karla Chustz began publishing a newsletter called “Mocha
Moms” in the hopes of connecting with other African-American mothers across the country
who were taking time off from their careers to raise their children. The newsletter was intended
to encourage these mothers to feel good about their choice and to provide information to enrich
their parenting experience. The first Mocha Moms newsletter was published in the spring of
1997 and was distributed to many mothers nationwide.
In May of 1997, Cheli English-Figaro learned about the newsletter and contacted Jolene
immediately. After hours of conversation, the women decided that the Mocha Moms
newsletter should become an actual organization and should begin by forming a chapter in
Prince George’s County, Maryland so that African-American at-home mothers could meet and
support each other. Cheli's friend, Joby Dupree became the fourth founder in the fall of 1997
and the Prince George’s County, MD Chapter of Mocha Moms began operations in November
1997. The first Mocha Moms, Inc. playgroup (now called Mocha Sister Social) was held in
January 1998 and the first Moms Only Potluck Supper (now called Moms’ Night Out) took
place in February 1998.
Mocha Moms, Inc. began as a support group for mothers of color who had chosen to alter their career paths to devote more time to their families and communities. As such, the organization was essential because historically, mothers of color, particularly African-American mothers, have not had the opportunity to devote the majority of their time to caring for their own families. It all started with the publishing of a newsletter called Mocha Moms in the hopes of connecting at-home mothers of color with each other. The newsletter was intended to encourage these mothers to feel good about their choice as well as to provide information to help them be the best and most important influence in their children's lives. It was distributed to over 100 moms across the country in the spring of 1997. That summer, four mothers of color in Prince George's County, Maryland decided to form a national support group and they called it Mocha Moms, Inc. .
Our Mission and Purpose
Today Mocha Moms, Inc. serves as the premier voice for all mothers of color. While many of our members have eliminated employment altogether, others have gone back to work outside the home, work part-time, flex-time, and/or any other variation. We support the m all because, regardless of the professional choices any of us have made, we face the same concerns about our children and families.
Mocha Moms, Inc. serves as an advocate for those mothers and encourages the spirit of community activism within its membership. In 2006, Mocha Moms, Inc. adopted the community service initiative entitled Closing the Gap on Minority Achievement, which focuses on the health, educational and financial disparities which currently exist in our country. We are honored to partner with and serve as a stakeholder organization with the following:
Community Service
America's Promise Be The Match Boys Booked on Barbershops/
Girls Booked on Beautyshops Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases United Nations Foundation - Shot @Life
Government
U.S. Department of Education U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SISTER ORGANIZATIONS/ADVOCACY Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association Mamiverse Moms Clean Air Force Moms Rising The Black Women's Agenda
Our National Platforms
• Non-exclusivity
• Community activism and the spirit of volunteerism
• Support for work-at-home mothers
• Non-partisanship
• Strong commitment to strengthening marriages . Health and Wellness of ourselves, our families and our communities Education of our children and nation's children
Mocha Moms, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Mocha Moms, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic level, education, or religion. Anyone who supports the mission and purpose of Mocha Moms, Inc. is welcome to join.
For more information, please visit www.mochamoms.org
