Mocha Moms, Inc. announces it is expanding its mission to advocate for Mothers of color, broadening its origins 18 years ago as a support group for at-Home mothers of color.

"There's been a lot of change and growth in our organization," said Kuae Mattox, National President of Mocha Moms, Inc. "Our new mission allows us to continue to support at-Home mothers as well as those formerly at-Home Mothers who, in this new season of their lives, have gone back to their professional lives now that their kids are older."

Mocha Moms, Inc. is rooted in the unique history of women of color in this country and for almost two decades has reflected the progress of communities of color across America.

"When we began, the American economy was experiencing the type of growth and prosperity which allowed many African-American mothers to leave full-time employment outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families," said Mocha Moms co-Founder and President Emerita Cheli English-Figaro. "It was of utmost importance to support those at-home mothers as they were making choices that were not always accepted by their extended families and were certainly not common practice in any part of African-American history or culture. Mocha Moms, Inc. will continue to support those mothers."

In recent years, however, statistics have painted a dire picture for communities of color. The Pew Research Center reports that, during the economic recovery between 2010 and 2013, median white American household wealth has actually increased 2.4-percent. Meanwhile Hispanic household wealth fell 14-percent and Black household wealth dropped by nearly 34-percent. According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, Black and Latino students make up 40 percent of students at schools that have gifted programs but only make up 26-percent of students in those programs. Black students are expelled at three times the rate of White students. This disparity starts as early as pre-K where Black students account for 18-percent of those enrolled but make up 48-percent of those with multiple out-of-school suspensions. And with the last few years' spate of questionable, at best, murders of black and brown boys at the hands of law enforcement officers, Mocha Moms, Inc. took a stand.

"We found ourselves speaking out on a variety of issues that are important to mothers of color regardless of their employment status, education or financial standing," said Kuae Mattox, Mocha Moms, Inc. National President. "Most, if not all, mothers of color worry about their sons being stopped by police. Most, if not all, mothers of color want better educational outcomes for their children and want those outcomes to be free of racial bias. Most, if not all, mothers of color are tired of the extra burden we bear if and when we decide to enter or re-enter the work force. When we speak out on these issues, we're speaking for all of them."

Mocha Moms, Inc. is a national, non-profit support organization for mothers of color. It's mission is to support, inspire, educate, and advocate for mothers of color. Its platform includes strengthening marriages and families, promoting self-care, strong educational foundations, volunteerism, and activism. Mocha Moms, Inc. has been featured on 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.

Mocha Moms, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Mocha Moms, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic level, education, or religion. Anyone who supports the mission and purpose of Mocha Moms, Inc. is welcome to join.