Black Marriage Day 2009: Making It Official and Inspiring a New Generation of “I Dos”

Section: Romance

The New Orleans Chapter of Mocha Moms and Wedded Bliss Foundation, Inc., will host the Seventh Annual Black Marriage Day celebration honoring couples who are inspiring a new generation to say “I do.” Nola Mocha Moms’ goal is to have couples from the Greater New Orleans area celebrate marriage in the African American community Sunday, March 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Balcony, 4738 Utica, in Metairie.

This year’s theme: Making It Official and Keeping it Thriving to Inspire a New Generation of I Dos. Tickets are $100 per couple and will give attendees access to an evening of music, dancing, continuous food and drinks. The featured speaker will be New Orleans’ own Lloyd Dennis also known as the Love Doctor who will share a message on how to keep your marriage filled with love and passion. For tickets, email nolamochamoms@bellsouth.net or visit the events page at http://www.nolamochamoms.org/Upcoming_Events.html to purchase online tickets

An African American Marriage Hall of Fame will be introduced during the evening. Three couples will be the inaugural inductees to cement an annual tradition.

Nola Mocha Moms will join advocates in more than 200 cities around the country to highlight the benefits of married life. The local event will offer a celebration to strengthen and promote marriage in the Crescent City’s Black community.

“Now is the time to uplift marriage in the Black community,” said Ty Salvant, president of Nola Mocha Moms. “There are so many stories about why marriage doesn’t work or why it’s better to maintain relationships that are more about having options than commitment. We want to rewrite the story and show the value, the true gift of spending your life with the right person in a married union. Our hope is to make this a signature event in the Black community that inspires and educates.”

Black Marriage Day has been celebrated annually at locally sponsored events hosted by faith-based and community groups on the fourth Sunday of March since 2003. Marriage advocates in more than 150 cities celebrated Black Marriage Day 2008.

Mocha Moms, Inc. is a national, non-profit support organization for mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families. Its mission and purpose is to support and encourage women of color who are making parenting a priority in this season in their lives. Its platform includes strengthening marriages and families, promoting self-care, strong educational foundations and volunteerism. Mocha Moms, Inc. has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony and JET. The New Orleans Chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc. was chartered in June 2008. For more information, visit Mocha Moms online at www.mochamoms.org.