As our economy continues to struggle, some women of color are making the decision to put the concerns of their families before the financial rewards of their careers -- including our "Mom-in-Chief" Michelle Obama. Cheli English-Figaro, Esq. has founded Mocha Moms, Inc. to support women of color like these employed with the full-time job of motherhood. With about 3,000 members who are mostly African American, the diverse group is also 15% white, Latina and Asian. As Mocha Moms' co-founder and president emerita, Cheli shares her thoughts on women who choose to put family first during tough economic times.

What made you decide to start Mocha Moms?

When I met and married my husband Michael, who was an Air Force physician at the time, and later gave birth to our son Brandon, I thought life had given me the whipped cream and the cherry on top. After we got married, the United States Air Force transferred him. We had to leave New York City – where we had both grown up and where all of our friends and family lived – and move to Maryland , where we didn't know a soul. Fortunately, I found a job and we started our new lives. Shortly after arriving to Maryland I became pregnant. I was working full-time outside the home during my pregnancy and had assumed that, like "every other" black woman in America, I would return to work after a brief maternity leave. But my son was a high-need baby with a bad case of colic and he cried every minute that he was awake. We were worried about leaving him with someone who wasn't a family member or who wasn't highly recommended by someone that we knew very well. Michael said, "Honey, I think you should stay at home and take care of our baby yourself."

I thought Michael had a good idea and I decided it was worth a try -- at least for a little while. Unfortunately, my father didn't take the news so well. "You got all of that education to stay at home and watch a baby?" he said. "Anybody can watch a baby!" His words stung. A part of me knew he had a point. I had worked hard to be a professional and I felt as though I would have no identity without my job. But I also didn't believe that I had found a sitter I could trust not to strangle my baby boy, who screamed every waking moment of every single day.

There I was with a wailing newborn and no friends whose shoulders I could cry on. Let's just say I didn't get out much for the first few months. After three months, I decided I had had enough of the isolation, so I decided I would join several women's groups in search of friends. I joined the Officers' Wives Club, the Lawyers at Home division of the Women's Bar Association and La Leche League, the national organization for women who breastfeed. I was happy to form new friendships with women of all races. But I formed a special sisterhood with the handful of black women in those organizations. Whenever we went out together with our children during the middle of the day, we would meet other black moms and we would expand our circle of friends.



The four founders, Karla Chustz, Joby Dupree, Jolene Ivey and I, began Mocha Moms, Inc., because we wanted to create an easy way for African American women who considered themselves at-home moms to find each other and receive support, encouragement and friendship. [Ms. English-Figaro is pictured second from the left above with the current national board, not the founders.] We believed that it was important for at-home moms to connect with each other because historically, African American women did not have the opportunity to alter their employment outside the home when they became mothers. Therefore, these mothers often had no role models and few friends who had made a similar lifestyle choice.

When my first child turned one, I had nearly 30 black at-home moms over at my house for his first birthday. Having these friends made me understand and appreciate the necessity of "mommy" friends. Mocha Moms, Inc. is a nationwide community of "mommy" friends who support and encourage each other. That is why we exist.

Michelle Obama has said that as first lady she will be America's Mom-in-Chief, putting her family first. How does your organization see her choice?

Mocha Moms across the country are thrilled that First Lady Michelle Obama has stated that she will be spending this season of her life as "Mom-in-Chief." It in some ways validates the choices our members have made to step away from high-powered careers to devote time to their families. However, every woman's career choice is hers alone to make and only she knows what is right for her family. Further, many Mocha Moms are employed either part-time, flex-time or even full-time -- inside and outside the home. We recognize that the time devoted to being at home with children represents only a small season of life and that most of us will forge new careers or reclaim old ones at some point in our lives.

What is the biggest challenge in making the decision to stay at home?

Separating myself from my peers and having to balance life on a lower income was a huge challenge to both me and my family. As an attorney, I spent a great deal of time, energy and resources preparing for what I hoped would be a lucrative career. My husband and I had not originally planned for me to stop working full-time and our monthly budget was always based on two incomes. I balanced my checkbook down to the penny every few days, "robbed Peter to pay Paul" on many occasions and my husband and I learned to enjoy the simple (and free) things in life. Emotionally, it was important for me to find friends who were making similar lifestyle choices and sacrifices. This was important to maintaining my sanity and my self-esteem.

As the economy puts more pressures on families, some moms who used to not work might be making the transition to working part-time to make ends meet. Do you have some special tips for them?

It's important for me to note here that all moms work. Some moms are employed with a paying job and some are at-home moms who aren't financially compensated, but all moms work. That being said, I encourage moms to take a very realistic look at their family's schedules and commitments, even if choosing a part-time job. Even if your children are in school all day, there are school holidays, summer vacations and sick days to take into consideration.



With President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in office, we have seen the issue of race become more prominent in the mainstream. Has this affected the racial diversity of your organization?

From the very beginning of Mocha Moms, Inc. in 1997, the public has questioned the need for the club's existence; however, Mocha Moms, Inc. is essential. We have always welcomed parents of all races into our organization, since it is open to anyone who understands and supports our mission and purpose. In fact, some of our strongest supporters, who are currently among the best leaders in our organization, are not African American. I do believe that because of the Obamas, people are becoming more aware and more sensitive to the cultural diversity that exists in our nation, thus increasing tolerance across the board.

What are some tips Mocha Moms have collected for balancing flexible careers, family life, romance with their spouses and all the other things that Mocha Moms take care of?

The Mocha Moms have collected a few general tips to help moms make their personal, home and career lives work:

+Develop a routine: The best way to maintain an organized and efficient household while still having time to have fun with your husband, children and friends is to create a system or routine that works for you. I don't know too many moms who are incredibly enthusiastic and joyful about doing a mountain of laundry every Thursday, but the organization helps get those types of projects done.

+Don't be afraid to delegate: Life at home will require that you delegate certain chores or tasks, learn to function on less sleep and decide when tasks are worth putting aside. There's never any shame in getting the whole family involved! And sharing cleaning jobs with your hubby can actually boost your romance too -- Mr. Clean recently conducted a "Keep It Fresh" national survey which found that three in five married adults believe doing household chores and cleaning together is an effective way to keep their relationship with their significant other fresh.

+Be frugal and purchase wisely: As mentioned, I learned quickly how to pinch pennies and can attest to how important this is to any mom. Stock up on coupons, look for sales and choose products that pull double duty.

+Coupons: Take a look at your saver-packs that are mailed home. Even some Web sites offer coupons for your favorite products or stores

+Double Duty: Products that can multi-task will help keep your budget in line. For example, I love Mr. Clean Magic Eraser because it easily cleans a greasy stove top, counter top or bathroom tile just by adding water to this handy tool. Products like the new Swiffer Sweeper is a two-in-one cleaning tool that completely cleans dirt, dust and pet messes with Dry Cloths and spills with Wet Cloths.

+Sales: Chat up your friendly neighborhood grocer (or clothing store owner) and learn what days (if any) are prime times for sales so you can plan your shopping accordingly.

As a mom of color who runs an organization dedicated to helping others, do you have any special words of encouragement or advice for the Black Voices community?

Our children are our most precious resource and education is key to their success. If African Americans are going to continue to make tremendous strides in this country, we must focus on our children by pouring all of our time, energy and resources into them. We need to hold the educational system, and ourselves, accountable for making sure our children are literate, well-spoken and have all of the tools necessary to move the next generation forward.