Women in the Black Community

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Mocha Moms, Inc. Invites Michelle Obama to Its Inaugural Gala

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mocha Moms, Inc., the national non-profit organization for mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside the home in order to devote more time to their families and communities, will host an inaugural gala on January 18th at 7 p.m. in celebration of the historic inauguration of the 44th U.S. president, Barack Obama. Hundreds of Mocha Moms from across the country will gather at the Lake Presidential Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland for a night of food, dancing and fellowship. Mrs. Michelle Obama has been invited to attend. On Inauguration Day at 10 a.m., the organization will also host a watch party at the same venue for families to witness the historic inauguration.
 

"We could not miss the chance to honor this historic occasion with a celebration of our own," says Dee Dee Jackson, national president of Mocha Moms, Inc. "We are thrilled that a beautiful, unmistakably Black woman will be the First Lady of the United States and have the opportunity to focus both on her own family and on improving the lives of families across the nation."
 

The mission and purpose of Mocha Moms, Inc. is to support and encourage women of color who are making parenting a priority in this season in their lives. Its platform includes strengthening marriages and families, promoting self-care, strong educational foundations and volunteerism.
 

Today, the fast growing national, non-profit organization has more than 100 chapters in 27 states throughout the country. Mocha Moms, Inc. welcomes people of all genders, religions, races, educational backgrounds, and income levels. Anyone who supports the mission of Mocha Moms, Inc. is welcome to join. Mocha Moms, Inc. has been featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC's Nightline, Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony and JET.
 

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Mocha Moms, Inc. inaugural celebrations, visit www.mochamoms.org
 

Source: Mocha Moms, Inc.

New Study Examines Moms by Race

African American and Caucasian Moms Differ on Battling a Down Economy, Aspirations for their Children and Parental Challenges

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to motherhood, nothing is black and white. As we usher in the inauguration of our first African American President, a new study examines the behaviors and values of mothers across racial lines. The research shows that while all mothers are battling with the growing concerns facing our nation, some of a mother's coping strategies and motivations are tied to her culture and ethnic background.
 

The research was conducted by BSM Media, www.bsmmedia.com, a leading marketing to moms firm led by Maria Bailey, author of "Mom 3.0: Marketing With Today's Mothers by Leveraging New Media and Technology".
 

"Moms share universal concerns for their children," says Maria Bailey, CEO of BSM Media. "It is clear, however, that the way she reacts to the economy, rising food costs and the dreams she has for her children is impacted by her personal experiences, upbringing and ethnic background."
 

BSM Media partnered with several prominent African American mom bloggers to field the research: Jennifer James, editor of Mommy Too! Magazine (www.mommytoomag.com), Melanie Sheridan from Mel, A Dramatic Mommy (www.meladramaticmommy.com), Kimberly Coleman from Mom in the City (www.mominthecity.com/), and Michele Dortch, The Integrated Mother (www.integratedmother.com).
 

"Identifying the specific needs of African American Moms is timely," said Melanie Sheridan from Mel, A Dramatic Mommy, www.meladramaticmommy.com. "Companies and media need to be more culturally aware and prepared for the expanded audiences recent historic events may bring their way."
 

Key Findings of the study include:
 

-- Although the majority of all moms have made household adjustments to cope with the economic crisis, African American moms are more likely to delay major purchases (57%) and avoid stores to reduce shopping (54%). Caucasian moms are coping by using coupons and discount codes (73%) and driving fewer places to conserve gas (62%).
 

"It takes a lot of time and concerted effort to use coupons effectively and save money, and time is something that many African American moms don't have," says Jennifer James, editor of Mommy Too! Magazine (www.mommytoomag.com). "In addition, many of the manufacturer coupons found in the newspaper are not found in the retail locations in urban communities and if they are, many African American moms opt to purchase lower cost generic brands which usually don't issue coupons."
 

-- African American moms are more likely to turn to clergy for support (60%) than Caucasian moms (41%). Other popular support outlets among both races included spouses, parents and other moms.
 

-- Although moms across racial lines ranked education as their greatest dream for their children, African American moms are more likely to aspire for their children to have a deep religious commitment as adults than Caucasian moms.
 

"For many of us, our faith has sustained us," says Kimberly Coleman of Mom in the City, www.mominthecity.com, in response to the importance of religion in the African American community.
 

-- Caucasian moms named managing the desires of their children for material things as a challenge (45%), while African American moms are battling with affordable housing (35%).
 

-- While online, African American mothers are more likely to read articles (68%) and experience music (45%). Caucasian mothers are likely to frequent social networks (45%) and message boards (43%).
 

"The results of BSM's research confirm one very important fact - we may share a common bond as mothers, but each of us brings a unique approach to motherhood that must be recognized," says Michele Dortch of The Integrated Mother.
 

About the Survey
 

The survey was conducted in January 2009 via online invitation. An ending sample of over 1,400 Moms with children under 18 living at home completed the online questionnaire. For more information, or full research results, contact Amy@bsmmedia.com.
 

BSM Media is a full-service marketing and media firm in Pompano Beach, FL that specializes in marketing to moms. BSM Media CEO Maria Bailey is the author of "Marketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion Dollar Market", "Trillion Dollar Moms: Marketing to a New Generation of Mothers" and "Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today's Mothers By Leveraging New Media and Technology".
 

Source: BSM Media
 

Web site: http://www.bsmmedia.com/
 

Former Essence Editor and Author of Mocha Manual Book Series Launches New Online Magazine and Community for African American Moms

Timely Topics, Fresh Content and Real-Deal Advice for "Mocha" Mom Market

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mocha Manual(R) Company announces the launch of MochaManual.com as the new premiere lifestyle destination and online magazine for moms of color. MochaManual.com delivers vibrant, informative content and inspiration from pre-conception to the toddler years. It also features timely tips on money, starting your own business, sex and relationships, personal growth and juggling careers with kids. MochaManual.com provides real-deal advice and an online community that speaks directly to the underserved market of modern, confident mothers of color.
 

"Due to the lack of national consumer publications for parents of color, I am proud to build on The Mocha Manual as the leading brand for moms of color, with our new content-rich, web-based magazine. The new MochaManual.com is an important next step in our movement to empower mothers and perfectly complements our popular maternity tee shirt line and instructional DVD sold at Wal-mart stores," says Kimberly Seals Allers, founder and editor-in-chief of MochaManual.com and author of The NAACP Image Award nominated-book, The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy (ISBN# 9780060762292/ $14.95; Amistad/HarperCollins).
 

"MochaManual.com gives today's moms of color everything they need to connect and thrive as hot mamas, loving wives and sophisticated women living with passion and purpose, while supporting our mission for healthy moms and healthy babies" says Seals Allers, an award-winning journalist and former senior editor at Essence.
 

About The Mocha Manual Company Inc.: The Mocha Manual Company is the fast-growing brand for the underserved market of modern, confident African American mothers. The company operates MochaManual.com, a leading web-based publication for Black parents, sells The Mocha Manual maternity and new Dad tee shirt line, and produced The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy instructional DVD, sold nationwide at Wal-mart and Acme Supermarkets. The Mocha Manual Company and MochaManual.com were founded by Kimberly Seals Allers, author of The Mocha Manual series of books. To learn more visit www.mochamanual.com.
 

About Kimberly Seals Allers: Kimberly Seals Allers is founder and editor in chief of MochaManual.com and is the leading voice and "mommy expert" for today's African American mom. She is an award-winning business journalist, a former writer at Fortune and senior editor of Essence magazine and author of The Mocha Manual(R) series of books for black women. The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy is a NAACP Image Award nominee. The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion into Profit--How to Find & Grow Your Side Hustle in Any Economy (Amistad/HarperCollins) will be released this month. The third Mocha Manual, a guidebook for military wives will be released in June 2009. Seals Allers appears frequently on television and radio.
 

Source: The Mocha Manual Company Inc.
 

Web Site: http://www.mochamanual.com/

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