How it started…
Minority Recovery Collective Inc. (MRCI, pronounced mercy), was founded in 2018 by Naptown (Indianapolis, IN) native, Natasha ‘Tasha Marie’ Cheatham.
Inspired by her own journey of recovery and hope for her mother’s recovery (who transitioned from this Earth September 10, 2020), Natasha started MRCI to provide safe, sober spaces and a platform for black and brown folks in or seeking recovery to promote healthy and positive social (re)integration.
Natasha facilitating the It’s Just Pills workshop at the Opioids: Data 2 Action Conference, April 2019
Natasha and her mother reunite, Mother’s Day 2017
Recovery is an intentional commitment to get and stay well.
Throughout 2019, Natasha put boots to pavement and dove head first into figuring out what her community needed, already had, and what they understood about recovery and recovery support services. After several speaking engagements and hosting Sober Socials, she faced several hardships that almost led to the dissolution of MRCI. But then, there was a hope.
How it’s going…
In 2020, Natasha reconnected with Iisha Wesley of DONT SLEEP to begin defining the mission and vision of MRCI’s programs and services to improve community engagement and include a more wholistic approach to recovery.
After passively raising $1,000 in 2019, together, our co-founders were able to secure over $100,000 in contracts and grants in 2020.
Against all odds, and the COVID-19 pandemic, these two young women from Naptown are on a mission to help themselves and their community heal.
Today, MRCI prides itself on being a collective of individuals and businesses committed to the improved quality of life for Black and Brown folks through collaboration.