UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland, Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In response to the Ferguson, MO grand jury’s failure to indict Darren Wilson for the murder of unarmed teen, Michael Brown, Mocha Moms, Inc. organized a #blackboysmatter social media campaign to combat the negative stereotypes of black and brown boys. At the time of this press release, that social media campaign had exceeded 10-million impressions in less than two weeks.

Moms of color from across the country are submitting photos of their sons in an effort to put real faces to, and humanize black and brown boys in America.

“What these shootings in the last couple of years have shown us is that, for too much of America, black boys are threatening,” commented LaShaun Phillips-Martin, National Social Media Director for Mocha Moms, Inc. “We can’t change the grand jury decision but we can change the way America sees our boys. So we took to social media with positive images of our sons and the hashtag #blackboysmatter.”

In a statement issued shortly after the grand jury decision was announced, Mocha Moms, Inc. issued the following statement, which read in part:

“While we are disappointed, few of us are surprised. We respect the process of justice we have in this country. However, we will never accept the culture of preconceived notions and stereotypes that drives our sons unfairly and disproportionately into that process. We are so tired of our boys being killed. We are so tired of courts failing to recognize the value of our children’s lives.

We will continue to teach our children to be respectful. We will continue to teach our children to value themselves and others. The only way America can truly become the great society we claim ourselves to be is if Americans commit to doing the same, and stop marginalizing and criminalizing our black and brown children.”

ABOUT MOCHA MOMS, INC.

Mocha Moms, Inc. is a support group for mothers of color who have chosen to alter their career paths, either temporarily or permanently, to devote more time to their families and communities. While many of our members have eliminated employment altogether, others work part-time, flex-time, night shifts, have home-based businesses, consult or freelance from home or have chosen alternative, less demanding career paths so they are more available to their families. We support the decisions made by our members. We will never pass judgment on mothers who choose to make or are forced to make different decisions for their families.

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.

The organization is essential because historically, mothers of color, particularly African-American mothers, have not had the opportunity to devote the majority of their time to caring for their own families. Mocha Moms, Inc. serves as an advocate for those mothers and encourages the spirit of community activism within its membership.

CONTACT: Danae Jones Aicher
National Director of Communications
Mocha Moms, Inc.
+1.804.433.0071
daicher@mochamoms.org
www.mochamoms.org