Sweet Mothers – rozapromotions

Sweet Mothers of Staten Island

Empowering Families. Preserving Culture.

The Sweet Mothers of Staten Island (SMOSI) was founded in February 2011 by Mr. Rufus Z. Arkoi, Executive Director of ROZA Promotions, Inc. SMOSI is a unique collective of adult mothers of West African— primarily Liberian—descent who have resided on Staten Island, New York for an average of 20 years or more. Over the years, these women have raised their children within the community, witnessed the challenges faced by families, and observed the social and environmental factors impacting children and families on Staten Island’s North Shore.

While navigating these challenges, SMOSI members have proudly maintained and celebrated their West African cultural identity. Through traditional attire, cooking, strong work ethics, mutual support, and the enduring belief that “it takes a village to raise a child,” the organization continues to preserve and promote rich cultural traditions while strengthening family and community bonds

The goal of SMOSI is to foster women’s friendship, mutual encouragement, and empowerment while strengthening family unity and cultural values through collective action and community engagement.

Programs and Activities

- Annual Mother’s Day Celebration: An event honoring mothers who demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving cultural values through traditional dress, food, music, and child-rearing practices.
- Family Trips: Two annual bus trips to destinations such as Atlantic City and amusement parks, designed to strengthen family connections and encourage social interaction among community members.
- Community-Wide Food Sales: Cultural fundraising events that celebrate African cuisine and promote cross-cultural appreciation. These events allow non-African neighbors to experience and stay connected to African culture through traditional dishes..
- Annual Family Day: A community street fair featuring rides, food, music, games, and giveaways. This full-day cultural festival is open to families from across Staten Island.
- Women’s Empowerment Conferences and Workshops: Educational sessions featuring motivational speakers and professionals who provide guidance on career development, entrepreneurship, and access to community resources.
- Family Support Services: Assistance to families during times of bereavement, illness, graduations, and other life challenges. Members support funeral arrangements and provide financial tokens and recognition to children graduating from elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.
- Elderly Outreach: Visits to elderly community members to assist with daily living needs and distribute gifts during the holiday season.