Mocha Moms Offer Support And Sisterhood

Tennessean.com:

Mocha Moms, Inc. started in 1997, when Jolene Ivey and Karla Chutz began publishing a newsletter called “Mocha Moms,” “in the hopes of connecting with other mothers of color across the country.” According to information on the national Web site, by June of 1997, Ivey and Chutz teamed up with Cheli English-Figaro to make Mocha Moms a national support organization; the first chapter was established in Prince George’s County, Md.

Mocha Moms of Nashville member Jada Lundy learned about the organization that same year, when she was a graduate student in Washington, D.C. Her family’s move to Nashville from Boston made staying at home with her two children possible; the former teacher homeschools her children.

“I’ve had both experiences (working mom and stay-at-home mom), and being a mom is just hard, regardless of who you are, and where you come from,” Lundy said. “It’s all about juggling your roles. But I’ve become unapologetic for taking care of myself. For many of us, having someone to remind you it’s okay to do that is important. And that’s part of what this group does for us.”

The group of moms has weekly meetings, moms-only get-togethers and community service projects. All moms, regardless of race, creed or color, are welcome. Platforms of the group include support for work-at-home mothers, commitment to marriage, self-care and education. An overall theme for the group is support, and other members say that’s primarily what the group offers to them.