Mocha Blog Archives 2018
Seasons Greetings!
It's hard to believe that 2018 is almost over and we are about to wrap up a busy holiday season. We hope you are spending precious time with your family, friends and loved ones and taking in all that the season has to offer. For many of us, this is a magical and wondrous time, an opportunity to connect with others, spread some holiday cheer and help those who are less fortunate. For others, it's a bittersweet time to remember those who have passed and share sweet memories. We have so much to be thankful for...the love of family, the laughter and smiles of our children, the generosity of friends, the support that we give and receive from this wonderful sisterhood of mothers.
To all of our Mocha Sisters, warm wishes and special thanks for being an important part of our organization. You are what makes us special. We wish you and your families a very happy and joyous holiday season full of abundant love, simple laughter and never ending peace.
Much Mocha Love,
The Mocha Moms, Inc. National Board
Kuae, Cheli, Kim, Shalaun, LaShaun, Danae and Tiffany
Posted: December 24, 2018
Happy Channukah!
Danae Aicher, National Director of Communications
The winter holidays bring so many beautiful traditions! In our Mocha Moms family, we have sisters from diverse cultures and sometimes they go unrecognized. We want to acknowledge as many of them as we can. Below are just a few upcoming winter holidays from various cultural traditions. You might even take some time with your kids to look them up and learn about some of the less well-known traditions.
Thursday, Dec. 6- St. Nikolaus Day (Tag)
Wednesday, Dec. 12- Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe
Thursday, Dec. 13- St. Lucia Day
Monday, Dec. 17- Saturnalia
Tuesday, Dec. 18- Asarah B' Tevet
Friday, Dec. 21- Yule
Tuesday, Dec. 25- Christmas Day
Wednesday, Dec. 26- Kwaanza
Wednesday, Dec. 26- Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day
Monday, Dec. 31- Omisoka
Posted: December 10, 2018
Thanksgiving Challenge
Danae Aicher, National Director of Communications
For many, if not most, of us, Thanksgiving is a time to get together with family and to take some time to reflect on all the wonderful blessings in our lives. For others, however, it is a day of mourning. History doesn't change just because the story we tell does. As mothers of color, the challenge we have is to hold on to all the good while making sure our kids are equipped with all the stories and lessons of history to keep them protected. Furthermore, teaching complexities builds cognitive skills.
Debby Irving, a well-respected leader in racial equity, recently wrote about the beauty of Thanksgiving while encouraging us to recognize the truths about the holiday's origins. Doing this, she says, can actually lead us to healing and to helping our children break free from the chains that bind us to cycles of inequity.
Have a very happy day of thanks!
Posted: November 19, 2018
Real Talk: Mocha Moms and Mental Health
Tiffany Kerr, National Director of Community Service
All of us, at some point or another, go through things we don't want to talk about. We marry, have children, and take on the many responsibilities of nurturing a family, a home and, for some of us, our careers! Maybe you're a single mom telling yourself you've got this, when sometimes you don't. Perhaps you just had a baby and your mind is racing with regrets, anxiety, and exhaustion. You're being pulled in so many different directions, when you're alone you cry or want to scream. Or just the thought of another added task is simply too much. Whatever the issue, too many of us suffer in silence even though we are part of Mocha Moms, Inc. We don't have to! We joined this amazing organization for a reason. We were all looking for something or going through something we thought other women like us would understand.
Please know that your Mocha sisters have your back! Let's talk about it and be real about it! Mental health is not something to ignore. It's real life. When you just need time alone, away from the kids or your husband, Mochas understand. Let's be the support group that is open to conversations without judgment or diagnosis. Let's discuss true symptoms, promote awareness and provide sisterly support.
To help Mochas to provide each other with the best support possible, we have partnered with NAMI, (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for resources, website information, helpline support for referrals, and community service opportunities for your chapter to spread awareness about how important it is for moms to say, "It's okay. Today is not a good day." This partnership will also bring better awareness of any symptoms of mental health so that we can continue to be amazing mothers to our children.
Start sharing ways to support and build up each other's mental health. Join us with NAMI by first taking the #StigmaFree pledge HERE.
Posted: November 4, 2018
A New Mocha Moms Chapter - Richmond, VA!
We are excited to welcome a new chapter - Richmond, Virginia - to our Mocha sisterhood!
Posted: October 22, 2018
Introducing our new New Jersey State Coordinator
Rosalind Cox Larrieux joined Mocha Moms in 2009. Since then, she has helped charter two chapters in New Jersey, where she continues to be an active member and leader in the Middlesex County and Jersey Shore Chapters. Several initiatives were developed under her leadership.
In her professional career, Rosalind is a Physical Therapist with a specialty in women's health and pelvic rehabilitation. She enjoys teaching, community service, and "all things spa". Rosalind is married with two daughters and a teenaged son. The children are hoping to grow their family with a fur baby at some point in the near future!
Rosalind is very passionate and dedicated to Mocha Moms, Inc. and she is looking forward to building and growing the momentum in New Jersey!
We are lucky to have her step into another leadership role!
Posted: October 15, 2018
Rest, Relax and Recharge!
Join us July 12-14, 2019 at the Kingston Plantation Resort Condos and Villas in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as Mochas nationwide come together for a weekend of relaxation, fun and socializing to recharge our batteries!
Book your accommodations NOW on your own (use a discount hotel broker such as Expedia or booking.com or feel free to contact the hotel directly) so that you can secure a room. There is no Mocha room block, but current discount broker rates are excellent. This is a very popular resort that often sells out many months in advance (by December!). Don't miss out. Book now! The Very Early Bird Special rate of $135 is available until Nov. 30, 2018.
This is a MEMBERS ONLY event! Click HERE for more information.
Posted: October 8, 2018
A New Mocha Moms Chapter - Metro DC, DC!
We are excited to welcome a new chapter - Metro DC, District of Columbia - to our Mocha sisterhood!
Posted: October 1, 2018
A New Mocha Moms Chapter - Jersey Shore, NJ!
We are excited to welcome a new chapter - Jersey Shore, New Jersey - to our Mocha sisterhood!
Posted: September 10, 2018
United State of Women Summit
Mocha Moms, Inc. sent 20 Mochas from California's Inland Valley, San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Chapters to represent at the 2018 United State of Women Summit (USOW) in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. The USOW Summit is a gathering of women from across the country and abroad, who know their energy and power to break down barriers that stand between women and full equality. Thousands of women convene to inspire and be inspired, to motivate and be motivated, to teach and to learn.
Posted: May 7, 2018
Heifer International Community Leader Series: Meet LaShaun Martin
"We deserve a seat at the table. If one is not offered to us, we buy the hammer, wood and nails and build our own chairs." ~ LaShaun Martin
National VP LaShaun Martin, along with other familiar Mocha faces are featured in Heifer International's Community Leader Spotlight. Heifer Int'l works to end world hunger, poverty and provides resources to help women thrive, grow and change communities. Click here to read the interview.
Posted: April 18, 2018
Meet Our New National Director of Community Service!
Please join us in welcoming Bergen County, New Jersey Mocha Tiffany Kerr to the National Board! Tiffany joined Mocha Moms, Inc. in 2009 when her daughter was two years old after relocating to New Jersey. She has been a member of the Bergen County, New Jersey chapter ever since. Click here to learn more.
Posted: April 16, 2018
Calling All Military Mochas!
Military Mocha Moms had a great first network meeting last week. We discussed some of the difficult aspects of motherhood that are unique to military moms and even more the Mocha military mom. We explored the best way that this network can provide support for this group of ladies at this point in our journey. Our next group discussion will be held in the last week of April. We'd love to have more military Mochas join in the conversation. Whether you are an active duty, reserves, or retired member or spouse, we'd like to hear from you. Join the network and our military Mocha Moms Facebook page to connect with this amazing group of ladies. The Network Director, Jené Wilkerson, can be contacted at militarymochas@mochamoms.org.
Posted: April 9, 2018
Calling All Homeschooling Mochas!
If you are a homeschooling Mocha please sign up for the homeschooling network. This is the time to start getting ready for the new school year, and we want to make sure you are up to date on any changes to state laws and curriculum fairs. We are planning on having a teleconference in May and we want your participation. Let's also applaud and thank Katrina Morrison of the Atlanta Mocha Moms chapter for being willing to serve as the homeschooling coordinator for the state of Georgia. Don't forget, if you're homeschooling or are interested in homeschooling, reach out to Irene Tucker at homeschool@mochamoms.org.
Posted: April 9, 2018
March For Our Lives
Thousands of students across the country participated in the March for Our Lives rally across the country. Among them were some Mocha kids, including 15-year old 9th grader Arija Martin. She was there in Washington, DC and posted this statement. And be sure to watch 11 year old Naomi Wadler's amazing speech at the march.
Posted: March 26, 2018
Southwest Regional Leaders Summit
We had a wonderful time at this weekend's Southwest Regional Leaders Summit! Southwest Regional Director, Imani Nash-Bey, brought together leaders from that region for a day of learning, sisterhood and fun in San Jose.
Posted: February 26, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Leaders on Good Day Washington!
Posted: February 8, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Summit
We had yet another wonderful day in Mochaland at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Summit in Maryland with DMV Mocha Leaders. This region is where it all began in 1997. We are blessed to have Co-Founder Cheli English-Figaro as part of this region and the JEWEL of this organization. Thank you to Regional Director Damita Coats Wray and her State Coordinator team for your awesome leadership in the Flagship Region!
Posted: February 5, 2018
Southeast Regional Leadership Summit
Our Mocha Tour headed to Atlanta last weekend for the Southeast Regional Leadership Summit. National Board Members LaShaun Martin and Danae Aicher joined 2018 Mocha Leaders from Alabama, Florida, The Carolinas and Georgia for an amazingweekend. Our Mocha cups overflowed with tons of Mocha Love from the laughter, tears, Exhale and sister bonds formed. Thank you to the Southeast Regional Director Cree Davis, for serving from your heart.
Follow the highlights at #mochamoms on all of our social media platforms
Posted: February 2, 2018
Northeast Regional Leadership Summit
The National Board is still rolling on our Mocha Tour! Our next stop was the Northeast Regional Leadership Summit in New Jersey! Over 25 leaders from NY, NJ, CT, and PA were hosted by Regional Directors Tanisha Day and Shanequa Levin. National President, Kuae Mattox and National Vice President - Operations, LaShaun Martin joined these dynamic Mochas for a day of training, sisterhood, support and laughter!
Follow the highlights at #mochamoms on all of our social media platforms
Posted: January 26, 2018
Tweens and Teens Network: A Day on Not Off
On MLK Day, Mocha TnTs served their community by committing to "A Day on Not Off" of service. The TnTs filled six boxes with toiletries for Covenant House Georgia, a shelter for homeless youth between ages 18-21. We collected socks, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wipes, lotion, etc. When we dropped those items off, the shelter's staff members were surprised and grateful for the amount of items that we were able to collect in just six days. I am extremely proud to be a part of the TnT Network, they have a passion for giving and are simply AWESOME!
Posted: January 22, 2018
Midwest Regional Leadership Summit
Our 2018 Midwest Mochas leaders kicked off the year in St. Louis, MO with a fun Moms' Night Out and a day of learning at the first Regional Leadership Summit of the year.
Leaders from the MO - St. Louis, Kansas City, OH - Columbus, MI - Detroit, Grand Rapids, IL - Chicago Chapters, as well as National Board Members LaShaun Martin and Danae Aicher were hosted by Saleemah Jackson, our new Midwest Regional Director.
National Board Members will travel to each of our 5 Regional Leadership Summits this year and look forward to training all of our 2018 leaders to ensure a successful Mocha year.
Posted: January 8, 2018
Travel Bloggers Summit
Have you studied abroad? We are excited to be part of the Travel Bloggers Summit this week in NYC (formerly White House Travel Bloggers Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship). The summit shares initiatives and new strategies for American students to study, volunteer, and work abroad, including scholarships and exchange programs. #studyabroadbecause
WHY STUDY ABROAD?
Did you know that one in three current world leaders have been on an exchange program in the United States?
Studying abroad is a critical component to deepening and broadening relationships with citizens overseas. Today, fewer than 10% of U.S. students take part in study abroad.
Today’s global economy demands students have more than just a degree when they graduate from college, but also the cultural and language skills to be effective.
MORE RESOURCES TO COME!
Posted: October 27, 2017
