*On this date in 1997, Mocha Moms, Inc. began. They support non-white mothers who have chosen not to work full-time outside the home to devote more time to their families and communities.
The first support group meeting was held in Cheverly, MD. There are over 100 chapters throughout the United States, and the organization is continually growing and evolving to meet the needs of our moms, their families, and their communities. Mocha Moms, Inc. began by publishing a newsletter called Mocha Moms in hopes of connecting with other at-home mothers of color across the country. The newsletter was intended to encourage these mothers to feel good about their choice and provide information to help them be the best and most important influence in their children’s lives.
In the beginning, the Mocha News was distributed to over 100 moms nationwide in the spring of 1997. The original moms formed a support group from this newsletter called Mocha Moms, Inc., a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Mocha Moms, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, socio-economic level, education, or religion. Anyone who supports the mission and purpose of Mocha Moms, Inc. is welcome to join. Their platform contains seven main issues or pillars:
1. The first is non-exclusivity.
2. Community activism and the spirit of volunteerism
3. Support for work-at-home mothers:
4. Non-Partisanship:
5. A strong commitment to marriage and the support of our husbands:
6. Self-care and taking time for ourselves - mind, body, and spirit:
7. The education of our children:
Community service and outreach are a key part of Mocha Moms, Inc. Each local chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc. must perform two community service projects each year, one of which must focus on the National Community Service Initiative. While many of their members have eliminated employment, others work part-time, flextime, night shifts, have home-based businesses, consult or freelance from home, or have chosen alternative, less demanding career paths to make them more available to their families.
Their goal is to support the decisions made by our members. We will never pass judgment on mothers who choose to make or are forced to make different decisions for their families. Mocha Moms welcomes people of all religions, races, educational backgrounds, and income levels. Anyone who supports the mission of Mocha Moms is welcome to join. Mocha Moms’ National Board meets regularly to determine ways to assist local chapters in supporting members, planning national community service projects and events, establishing policies and procedures, assisting in forming chapters, and much more.
