Charlotte nonprofit throws parties for mental health awareness
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Not Just A Smile's next event, a R&B only party, is Sunday, May 18th. Photo: Courtesy of Not Just A Smile
Not Just A Smile is more than a social group — it's a community-driven effort to make mental health support more accessible, especially for people of color.
Why it matters: Through its "For the People, By the People" day parties and "Feel in the Gap" workshops, the nonprofit creates space for open conversations around therapy and mental well-being.
"Being an African American woman, when it comes to mental health, it almost feels like this is a misnomer in our communities," Not Just A Smile founder Taylor Marshall tells Axios.
Context: Marshall first started Not Just A Smile in Greensboro, N.C. during the pandemic after she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
- She says there was a lack of mental health awareness in her family and she wanted to change that, so she created a community to make it easy for people to learn about it.
- "Mental health is not a bad word," she said.
- Last fall, Marshall moved to Charlotte and brought the nonprofit with her.
Not Just A Smile hosts one event each month.
The "For the People, By the People" day parties raise funds for mental health support.
- Proceeds benefit their "Grounded Therapy" fund, which provides people with free therapy sessions at MBS Therapeutics, which offers holistic wellness approaches, including traditional talk therapy and other methods like Reiki.
- Applications open May 27.
"It's about accessibility and giving people tools when everybody can't afford therapy," said Marshall.
Driving the news: The next "For the People, By the People" party is Sunday, May 18, from 3-8pm at Queen City Grounds.
- There'll be themed drinks and local DJs will provide the soundtrack. Plus, people who attend can write down affirmations that'll be posted around Charlotte. Tickets range from $10 to $15.
"Feel in the Gap" is a series of workshops led by licensed clinicians.
- The free events include presentations, group discussions, and activities based on the workshop topic.
- Past topics included self-love, recovering from a broken heart, and the next one is about community.
- The next "Feel in the Gap" event will be in June and Marshall will announce more details on Instagram.
