Today we’d like to introduce you to Shontrice (Miss Slay) Slayton.
Hi Shontrice, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello everyone I am Ms. Slay, founder of Mentally Cultured! Community and healing trauma through our modern resources is the premise of what Mentally Cultured is built around and for. We specialize in trauma repair for African American families in the form of personal, social, and lifestyle wellness.
When I was given this assignment by God to soften the wounds of those who have encountered mental warfare without an outlet, it made so much sense but was heavy (and still is!). I have a gift of being a listening ear while offering empathetic sound advice as well as possible next steps. Even as a child, I witnessed and identified within my own family that the disparities of depression and alcoholism could have been prevented if they had access to the right tools, tools that would help renew their minds and their strengths. I too had to face certain trauma that I had experienced and realized that in order to be a vessel for others I had to consider myself as well. This was tough for me because I had to face things that I chose to bury until I couldn’t. As of today my family is MC’s biggest supporter and we have all evolved into the people we have always deserved to be(which is still a process of course). Without them, there is no Ms. Slay or Mentally Cultured (MC). All glory to God!
To be exact, in 2019 the clear vision of MC was founded. I have worked with kids all my life and even continued being a mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters during undergrad. Youth Villages, which is a multidimensional rehabilitation center for youth to receive the support they need to reintegrate back into society, was a good fit to start my career as an educator. I had been at Youth Villages for about 4 years at this point and began pursuing my Masters in school counseling at Capella University. I had worked in multiple roles at this organization and my last position was as an Administrative Assistant. I began to experience burnout as an educator in the rehabilitation space so I applied for a different location & role. What started as an idea has now taken root and blossomed into Mentally Cultured, a modern-day wellness community focused on healing trauma and promoting personal, social, and lifestyle wellness among African American families.
The Administrative Assistant position allowed me the space to hone my skills in being organized & creating systems while cultivating the essence of MC. I would engage in lifestyle consultant training through conversations with my beautiful colleagues while also promoting MC’s clothing brand “Smile Memphis” (THEE Brand That Inspires). Then I transitioned to Oakland, CA in November 2020 right when the pandemic hit for a better job opportunity, which offered me the opportunity to broaden MC’s resources making MC a bicoastal wellness community, with even more leverage. My friend and I literally drove cross country for three days and mind you I had just started my business and was making great connections in the M, which I still have to this day. The beauty in trusting the process is that you allow yourself to take chances and expose yourself to more on-brand opportunities.
What does it mean to be mentally cultured? To walk in your truth with confidence and to strive to continue to grow within your holistic wellness through seeking out the tools for your journey. MC began as a visual representation through our sister brand Smile Memphis which offers positive apparel through affirmation buttons and notorious “Money Green” crossbody bags. Our most popular button is “ It Takes Courage To Love” plus sweatshirts and t-shirts with the encouraging slogan “Smile Memphis”. We are currently trying out new designs and apparel, which is super exciting. Our organization as of today has held multiple wellness events that unpack the importance of wellness being a part of one’s daily routine while unlocking the power each person innately possesses to make themselves a priority in their journey. Each participant walks away feeling seen and empowered. The premise of each encounter with our community is to Empathize, Educate, Empower, and Evolve. We instill the confidence to aid in one being Mentally Cultured.
The lives MC has been able to impact and support are our biggest joy & blessing. When we volunteer we make sure to take our affirmation buttons with us to pass out. One thing that has continually put a smile on our face & also our community is when we ask, “What is something you love about yourself?” Most people are taken aback at first, but then their face lights up when they realize how powerful they really are and begin to share what they love about themselves. At our Brunchwell event in Memphis, we had a gratitude wall, where family and friends shared something they appreciated about themselves. This was a nice start to our event and getting everyone in the headspace to receive the upcoming dialogue. Since being in Oakland, MC has organized a wellness event “Wellness & Friends”, and been featured on the news to discuss our mission and our partnership with “Black Girls in Blazers”. We see each opportunity as an opportunity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Investing in yourself and your vision does come with a hefty price & sometimes you may be asked to cut back on everything to pursue your passion. For me, it has always been a no-brainer. I have cried, prayed, and prioritized. I just recently invested in a free personal financial advisor and it has been a breath of fresh air, alongside having the guidance of MC’s Accountant.
As a business owner that is striving to cover a lot of territories, I have found it to be rather impactful to encompass the skill of outsourcing and also the balance of autonomy. A clear vision of your mission allows you to compose a team with versatile strengths to assist along the way. There have been days that I have been overwhelmed but then I would hop on a call with one of my sisters/ teammates and we always unpack the current situation through a solution-focused lens. My goal with MC’s team was to partner with the most innovative black women bosses that I knew and merge our greatness. I am thankful to know many of these women who I also call friends.
Currently, MC has CPAs and multidisciplinary visionaries that are holding us down and they can be found on our podcast. Boundaries are vital as well because they allow you to be of service to others rather than feeling depleted. What helped me to stand firm on my boundaries was realizing how stressful life would become when I didn’t prioritize myself, this pattern thrived when my boundaries were not a part of the equation. Stand solid in your boundaries Fam, you deserve it!
I identify no losses, only lessons & blessings. What is meant for you will always find you. The scripture that stood out like a sore thumb when MC first started was and one that we are built on is Romans 12:2, “ Do not be conformed by this world but transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Comparison is the thief of joy. Tunnel vision is important and necessary. My advice to all African American entrepreneurs is to be brave in your calling, find your community, and trust your heart. I am a Christian so a lot of my strength comes from God and his calling over my life. This journey will have unforeseen events but just know you are built differently for a reason.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
MC’s current services are to offer trauma recovery in a modern way. We cater to the whole individual and not just parts. As a lifestyle consultant, my expertise stems from being a Licensed Educator, Professional School Counselor, Certified Wellness + Education Advocate, and avid lover of the arts + personal fashion, as well as a child who was deemed “bad” rather than being misunderstood and without the words to express my pain. My testimony is the leverage of healing for others and allowing a space to speak their TRUTH.
We have three tiers that target personal, social, lifestyle wellness, and a growth mindset. Each tier we offer has a unique purpose and goal. Those interested can sign up for a program via our website by setting up a free consultation with Ms. Slay.
Our personal wellness tier is all about YOU & your current existence. Current programs include:
Intentional Wellness(IW) Sessions -These sessions support individuals to reach a desired goal with adequate insight from a lifestyle consultant. Working with Ms. Slay is an inclusive process rather than just reading over mundane content. During this time we will nurture the practice of commitment + alignment to reach your desired goal & outcome.
Culturally Responsive Educator Seminar- This seminar is for educators connecting with their scholars and understanding the importance of being culturally competent as well as insight into Special Education Systems. It is good practice for all educators to be familiar with the scholars in their classroom who are receiving services beyond general education. As an educator, I am also aware of factors that can prohibit this efficiency from being handled with fidelity. Regardless, all stakeholders deserve this training and knowledge especially the scholars and their families.
We currently are working with Virgin Union University by way of an educator we were introduced to when accepting our new role in California. This seminar assists educators with working through becoming burnt out, especially as new educators. There are things that can only be taught once you are in the classroom through practice and guidance. We are very open to working with new organizations, especially in Memphis & surrounding areas.
Social Wellness Tier is connecting our community with a common desire to heal while honoring our differences in dope safe spaces!
Podcast-“Me and The Homies Been Talkin”, highlights conversations Mentally Cultured already has with dope energies, while cultivating a space for our black + brown community to be open & vulnerable in the most colorful way via conversation. An unapologetic safe space. This can be found on Spotify and our Youtube Channel “Mentally Cultured”.
Wellness & Friends Event/BrunchWell-Wellness and Friends with Mentally Cultured fosters communal healing. This mindfulness mixer is given in a speakeasy fashion coupling nature and harmony. Wellness and Friends center intentional grounding and fruitful conversation! Be ready to experience joy and connect with other beautiful souls.
Playlist/ Virtual Wellness Soundbar- Elevated Feelz was birthed through our initial playlist “Mentally Fueled” and is about moving beyond the standard thought of music. This experience is about the spirit of music and how healing it can be for our community. Broadcast on Soundcloud and Apple Music.
Lifestyle Wellness Tier highlights that the way in which we show up daily becomes our imprint on the world and most importantly ourselves.
Positive Apparel (Smile Memphis). Our apparel strives to tell a story through the scope of joy in mind by honoring the art form of wellness & mental health. All are available via our website.
Vendoring & Pop-Ups. We offer pop-ups that take components from the different tiers and bring them to the community on a wide scale. This allows us to become engrossed in our community & offering services that are often hard to find with our wellness twist. We strive to give an experience & to be a part of the essence of other great beings.
With Mentally Cultured (MC), we aim to be a major resource to families, creating a safe space that is equipped with the resources to support overcoming trauma holistically. We have been given the chance to spread wellness awareness in multiple states as well as shift the negative stigma that comes with oppressed communities choosing to invest in holistic wellness resources.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Memphis is my hometown, and I am so grateful to have been born and raised there. Now that I am bicoastal I can truly appreciate it for what it has given me over the years. I love our swag, grit, heritage, innovativeness, accent, and food (more so when I wasn’t primarily plant-based lol) as well as, our homegrown gifted artists & musicians.
Memphis is expanding and is on the rise. There are some amazing individuals paving the way for others and spreading great knowledge plus love. There is no place like home, man!! I want to see us continue to push boundaries and take care of our community along the way. Love and prayers always for the city that held me before the world knew me. As a great philosopher once said, “ Memphis Memphis, Memphis, Memphis, Memphis, the most beautiful land in the world.” Period!
Contact Info:
- Website: Mentallycultured.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentallycultured/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClU6IxYEiSd217u3Cqw4rjg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mentally-fueled/elevated-feelz-vol1
Image Credits
Meauxhouse, Regina Bowen, and Khalil Downey
