by Nisa Islam Muhammad
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON (FinalCall.com)�As soon as the October 30 Final Call article about Mocha Moms hit the streets, the calls started coming in.

�The article was great and people started responding,� explained Jolene Ivey, founder and president of this stay-at-home mothers support group.  But that was just the beginning. Not only did the article generate interest in the group, it has also led to three new chapters being started in New York.

�We were astounded with the feedback,� said Jill Downing, head of chapter development. �All I could say was �wow!�  The women who read the article were not only interested, but they wanted to start their own chapters where they live.�

This overwhelming response from Final Call readers was totally unexpected by the group, which has received national attention from articles in Ebony magazine, the Washington Post and the Washington Times.

�Our previous articles did not generate this type of response. It was so quick and fast. The audience says it all.  The women in the Nation of Islam and those that read The Final Call seem to be more diligent about their roles as mothers. The Muslim women seem dedicated to being great moms,� explained Mrs. Downing.

In addition to the new chapters, the article has spawned relationships that otherwise would not exist.

Tracey Muhammad and her family had recently moved to the Washington, D.C., area from New York when the article was published.  Home with a newborn, she was yearning for sisterhood and companionship.

Enitzia Muhammad, a friend in New York, called Tracey and told her to read the article about Mocha Moms. Tracey knew from the moment she read the article that Mocha Moms was for her, and her search for the group was on. 

She called friend Joycelyn Muhammad who located the Mocha Mom website (www.mochamoms.org).  The rest was the beginning of something great.

�I immediately called Jill [Downing].  It was incredible.  I had finally found a friend,� said Tracey, who was suffering from cabin fever. �{Jill] came and picked me up.  We went to Jolene�s [Ivey�s] house, we went to a playgroup and we�ve just been going ever since.�

Tracey explained that a playgroup is when mothers and children get together for play and companionship. Mrs. Downing said her friendship with Tracey has been mutually beneficial.

�This has been awesome.  I didn�t know much about Islam.  I�m a Baptist.  But talking to Tracey has opened my eyes.  I�ve been so educated by this. I�ve learned about Ramadan and so much more.  We would have never met for any other reason but Mocha Moms has brought us together,� said Mrs. Downing.

Tracey brought a lot of energy to the group and her dedication was immediately noticed.  She is now an officer in the College Park, Md., chapter of the group. 

�They wanted me to be vice president but I declined.  I just moved here and want to get comfortable with the area and the group.  I�m the playgroup coordinator.  Mocha Moms has become a vital part of my life,� Tracey said.

Census data show an overall decline in the work force of women with infants from a record-high 59 percent in 1998 to 55 percent in 2000; however, there was no decline in the Black community.

�Black women don�t see being at home as an option.  For years we were expected to stay home and raise someone else�s children.  Even after we reach a certain education level, we�re expected to enter the workforce. Staying at home is not an acceptable option in our culture,� said Mrs. Ivey.

Mocha Moms is hoping to change those statistics by providing support services to the mothers, and recently a few dads, who have chosen to stay home and raise their children. 

The members meet every week for a playgroup, they have potlucks and other social outings designed to help mothers with the challenges of parenting and marriage.

Nevertheless, these are not high school dropouts who can�t get work and are resigned to just be at home for lack of anything better to do. Au contraire.

Mrs. Ivey has a master�s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.  �I wanted my children raised by someone with an education.  That�s me,� she said.

For Chapter Development Director Jill Downing, a high school graduate, it was just basic mothering. � My husband and I decided this while we were dating.  We wanted to be the biggest influences on our children�s lives.  We planned everything with the thought of living off of one income.

�The husbands of our Mocha Moms are really proud of us for making this decision.  One husband told me that he just loves his wife so much because she had enough faith and confidence in him to quit her job so she could stay home to raise their children.  That is a powerful love,� she said.