MOCHA MOMS, INC. TO HOST 2009 NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO

Members Launch National Letter Writing Campaign to Invite First Lady Michelle Obama

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - Hundreds of Mocha Moms from across the country will descend upon the Chicago area, July 30-August 2, for "Managing the Family Business -- Making Ends Meet," a national conference at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport aimed at enriching the mind and spirit, and helping mothers of color continue to be the hearts and souls of their families, particularly during difficult economic times.

Kmart®, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings, will be the main conference sponsor. Additional sponsors include McDonald's, Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Soft & Beautiful Just for Me and Kimani Press. The conference will feature workshops such as Parenting Without a Paddle,Communicating with Special Needs Children, Love Talk: Resolving Conflicts in Marriage, and Surviving Financial Hardship When the Budget Plan Changes. Mocha Moms will also participate in sessions on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, educational options, and constructing family conversations. The luncheon keynote speaker will be Dr. Sandra Baxter, former director of the National Institute for Literacy, a federal agency that works to help the nation meet current and emerging literacy challenges.

Mocha Moms, Inc. was founded in 1997 by four mothers of color in Maryland who saw the need for a growing segment of stay at home mothers of color to connect and support each other. Today, the fast growing national, non-profit organization has 100 chapters and more than 3,000 members in 29 states throughout the country, as well as partnerships with such organizations as the America's Promise Alliance, the Black Women's Health Imperative, the National Institute for Literacy, the National Marrow Donor Program and PBS Kids. The primary mission 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. All chapters are actively engaged in a wide range of community service, including mentoring students, hosting educational summits, financial forums and healthy moms symposiums, and setting up reading nooks in barbershops and beauty shops throughout the country as part of the groundbreaking national initiative Boys Booked on Barbershops.

Mocha Moms across the country recently sent heartfelt letters to First Lady Michelle Obama urging her to attend the conference, particularly in light of the White House's "United We Serve" campaign Mrs. Obama just launched to foster the importance of community service.

"We are 'Moms in Chief" who have made great sacrifices to devote more time to our families and give back to our communities," says Dee Dee Jackson, Mocha Moms national president. "We feel a special kinship with Mrs. Obama. Not only does she look like us, we are inspired by the message that she is sending to the world, that her family is her utmost priority."

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.