What happens when someone falls through the cracks of our systems? When traditional pathways fail, where do people turn? Racheal Chantel faced these questions head-on and decided to build a solution from the ground up.

In this powerful conversation, Racheal shares her remarkable journey from commercial construction management to founding Mane Up Memphis, a revolutionary approach to mental health support. After returning to Memphis and experiencing the pandemic's forced pause, Rachel began noticing how intentionally designed gaps in our systems keep vulnerable people trapped. "People falling through a gap is a system that's built intentional," she explains. "That's how you keep the rich rich and the poor poor, and it's very expensive to be poor."

Through graduate studies in urban planning and public administration, Racheal discovered what she calls "the cheat code to the matrix" – understanding how these systems function but fail to serve everyone. This knowledge became both a burden and a catalyst. When traditional therapy helped her process these realizations, she understood that mental health access was the missing link for many trapped in cycles of struggle.

What makes Mane Up Memphis different is its approach to mental health as infrastructure rather than just another service. Instead of waiting years for policy changes, Racheal built something to help those who need support right now. Whether it's domestic violence victims who fall between law enforcement and family court jurisdictions or individuals without resources for therapy, Mane Up Memphis creates immediate pathways to safety and healing.

The name itself carries deep cultural significance, drawing from Memphis's unique local language and community spirit. "I wanted to make sure that the culture wasn't lost," Racheal shares. This grassroots authenticity has helped the organization's rapid growth and acceptance across Memphis.

Ready to be part of something transformative? Visit madeupmemphis.org to learn more about volunteering, attending workshops, or supporting this vital work. As we say at Mane Up Memphis: leave the baggage, keep the change.

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