04-11-2024 Howard Magazine - Flipbook - Page 45
Patrice West,
Mocha Moms Howard County
president
Patrice West was introduced to Mocha Moms
Howard County during a brunch with women
she had never met before. West was a new
mom and had just moved to Maryland. Despite
being an outgoing person, she was struggling
to figure out how to meet people. That’s when
a friend suggested she reach out to the Howard
County chapter of Mocha Moms, a parenting
organization for mothers of color.
After contacting the chapter, West was invited
to a brunch at a member’s house. Although she
didn’t know the woman, or anyone attending,
West said she trusted the process.
Everyone brought a dish … and they were
welcoming, and that was over seven years ago,”
West said. “From that day, I got right involved
and it was a really great support network.”
West is now the president of the organization,
serving her second term. Mocha Moms,
which has chapters all across the country, was
originally started as a space for moms of color,
specifically Black moms. However, West said
the group welcomes any parent, regardless of
race and gender.
While a lot of their work is supporting
fellow parents, Mocha Moms conducts various
outreach and community service events.
From organizing tree plantings for children to
partnering with local nonprofits to gather food
and necessities for families in need, West said
members and their families are deeply involved
in the community.
“We feel [outreach] is important because
there’s so much distraction in the world,” West
said. “I think it’s important to keep the kids
grounded, even ourselves.”
Her three daughters, who are now 10, 16,
and 17, are still involved in the organization.
However, West said it is more like a resource
for her, and a way for moms to find and support
each other.
Recently, the vice president of the Howard
County chapter lost her husband. West said the
members came together to help the family with
meals, errands, and support.
“I sent emails and the women just came with
all the support,” West said. “And some of these
people never even met her. So it’s that kind of
support, that whatever you need, as long as we
can, we’re there to support each other.”
Patrice West, right, president of Mocha Moms’s
Howard County chapter, and her 10-year-old
daughter, Monreaux West. PHOTO BY KENNETH K.
LAM
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