Started in grief. Rooted in love. Growing a future we deserve.
Inspired by Love and Loss
MOCHA was born from the deepest places of my heart — from grief, from anger, and from an unshakable belief that we deserve better.
In March 2018, I lost my grandmother, Linda, just weeks after she was finally diagnosed with cancer — after months of telling doctors that something was wrong and being dismissed.
Her story is one too many Black women share: unheard, unseen, and not prioritized.
Later that year, on October 19th, 2018, we lost Jamauriya, my little brother who was navigating immense pressure, trauma, and silence — who took his own life on his 20th birthday.
I carry their names with me every day.
I founded MOCHA in April 2019 as a commitment to them, and to all of us who have been harmed, overlooked, or left behind by systems that were never built for our healing.
Why Their Stories Matter
Jamauriya and Grandma Linda represent what MOCHA is here to change:
A world where our pain is taken seriously the first time.
A world where young Black people feel safe enough to stay.
A world where elders live with dignity, not dismissal.
This organization is for them, and for all of us still trying to survive and rebuild.
Who We Are
MOCHA stands for:
💛 Mobilizing Our Communities for Healing & Action
We are a Black women-led collective rooted in the belief that healing is a right, not a privilege — and that community is where that healing begins.
Born from lived experience and fueled by love, MOCHA exists to disrupt cycles of violence, offer emotional safety, and reimagine what it means to thrive — together.
Why We Exist
We’ve seen it firsthand: the trauma, the silence, the systems that fail to protect us — and the strength that still rises within our communities.
MOCHA was created to:
Interrupt violence before it begins
Support emotional wellness and mental health
Provide youth and families with tools for healing, hope, and belonging
This work isn’t theoretical. It’s personal.
What We Believe
We believe:
Healing is justice.
Community is medicine.
Black and Brown lives deserve safety, softness, and support.
We don’t have to carry our pain alone.
How We Began
MOCHA was founded by Emani Lewis, a Realtor, Business Consultant, and Community Wellness Advocate with a lifelong mission to create healing-centered spaces.
What started as an idea grew into a vision:
✨ A space where families could be safe.
✨ Where mental wellness and cultural connection are celebrated.
✨ Where young people could feel seen and supported.
Where We’re Going
MOCHA is just getting started. We are:
Building a community wellness center
Launching healing circles and youth programs
Training leaders in trauma-informed care
Partnering with schools, shelters, and changemakers across California
How You Can Support Us
We’d love to partner with you! Send us an email to let us know if you’re interested in helping us expand our reach or collaborating on our next workshop. Every supporter and partnership makes a meaningful difference.
As a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3), all donations are fully tax-deductible.
Tax ID: 83-3948828
“We turn our grief into gardens.
We build what we needed.
And we choose healing — not just for ourselves, but for everyone still here.”
- Emani’ Lewis, in honor of Jamauriya and Grandma Linda