Hope you’ve got your greens, beans, potatoes, sweet potato pie, and all of your favorite fixings loaded up because Pastor Shirley said we eatin’ good this Thanksgiving!😂
But even with all the laughter and plates piled high, the holidays can bring up heaviness, including grief, worry, and the weight of missing loved ones.
This year, as we gather, we’re holding space for both the joy and the reality: some families face empty seats at the table because the right care wasn’t there when it mattered most.
At 1M4, we’re grateful for the people who show up every day, our Village, our Sistas, and everyone spreading awareness through the #HomeForTheHolidays campaign. We connect people to trained crisis responders instead of police, helping ensure that everyone has a chance to make it home safely.
And with Giving Tuesday around the corner, your support is what keeps this work going. Every donation helps us expand our resources and continue building a community that protects life, joy, and care.
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for you, your time, energy, and commitment to keeping our people safe.
“I now understand that life, and living it, is more about being present. I’m now aware that the not-so-happy memories lie in wait, but the hope and the joy also lie in wait.“
— Viola Davis
Post of the Week
Our good sis Makeda and 1M4 board member is back to share more about the amazing Sistahood we’ve cultivated and why you should join us if you haven’t already.
📲 Check out the full post and don’t forget to follow and engage with us.
What We’re Reading
Our hearts break for the family of Ta’Kiya Young. The officer who murdered this 21yr old pregnant mother was acquitted of all charges Friday.
There are few words that encompass how the acquittal makes us feel…but the family attorney summed it up well “..an American tragedy…”
Read the full article by Capital B News [HERE]
What We’re Listening To
Our Founder, Tansy McNulty, sat down with Therapist Jess to discuss how community safety and personal peace go hand in hand
Take a listen on Spotify and share with your tribe [The Balanced Woman Podcast HERE]
Your Expertise is Needed!
We’re completely revamping The Right Response Directory and need your input to ensure it meets our community’s needs.
This critical resource connects you to alternative first-response programs offering compassionate support through peer responders, clinicians, and trained EMTs for calls like welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic incidents, and mental health crises.
Your feedback is vital for us to improve. Please take a few minutes to complete our confidential survey. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
A Mental Health Tip For You
Chile getting the ‘itis’ after tearing some food up is a universal experience!
This Thanksgiving, even a 5–10 minute walk around the block before or after your feast can do wonders for your mental health.
Notice the crisp air, the crunch of leaves, the sky. Moving your body releases tension, boosts endorphins, and gives your brain a mini reset amid holiday stress.
Spread Some Blessings!
The consequences of police violence extend far beyond the loss of life. For families affected, it’s the loss of income, the sacrifice of basic necessities, and the start of a high-cost legal fight. If you have the capacity, consider donating to 1M4. Proceeds help support impacted families and sustain the work of 1M4 toward ending police violence for good.
Yesterday was International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, a reminder of the weight carried by so many in our communities and the importance of checking in with ourselves and each other.
If you’re feeling extra stress as Thanksgiving approaches, know that 1M4 has resources to help you navigate difficult feelings, find support, and stay grounded. Mental health matters every day, and asking for help or taking a pause is always okay.
And for those cooking or hosting this upcoming week, remember: you don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to make every dish from scratch, entertain alone, or be “superwoman.”
Ask friends for help, order in if you need to, and allow yourself to actually enjoy the time with family.
Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of others. When you show up well for yourself, you can show up fully for those you love.
This holiday season we want each of you and your loved ones to make it safely #homefortheholidays . Help us raise awareness of The Right Response and help ensure no empty seats at the holiday table.
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To ensure our community has the resources provided by 1M4 and are fully empowered to shield their immediate community from harm, our Founder will hold weekly office hours to answer any questions and walk members through our safety resources.
No registration required. Simply join 1M4 through the button below then tap into our online community at 12pm EST every Tuesday starting this week.
Got a pressing question? Reply here and we’ll answer you via email and first thing Tuesday at noon EST.
October 22 is the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, organized by the October 22 Coalition. Since 1996, this day has brought people together—those directly impacted by police violence and those standing in solidarity—to resist brutality, mass incarceration, and political repression. As we face rising white supremacy and authoritarian threats, the Coalition continues building a nationwide network of protest and actions we can all take to strengthen our collective resistance. Watch the video above to see 1M4 and others in action, fighting for justice and community protection.
1M4 will be attending the 6th Annual Black Mental Wellness Conference. This year’s theme, Reclaiming Our Power and Protecting Our Peace, centers healing in the Black community, honoring our past, acknowledging the present, and envisioning a liberated future. Over 1,000 attendees—psychologists, educators, advocates, families, and allies—gather to connect, learn, and celebrate.
In October and beyond, help raise awareness of alternatives to police for mental health emergencies. Share the Right Response directory with your local community, snap a few pictures, and let us know about it. We would love to highlight you and your advocacy in our newsletter and social media pages. Share your advocacy results HERE. Whether you shared with two people or 200 people, each life matters.
We are celebrating you as the trusted voice in your community!
Any questions? Simply hit “reply.”
Ready to join in shielding your community? Click HERE
Ok so… we’re on TikTok now! Follow, engage, and rep 1M4 over there. We’re doing our best to reach the people.
Help some Sistas out!
You Got Your 1M4 Merch Yet?
Visit the 1M4 merch store to make sure you’re representing at court support, protests, or in line at your favorite coffee spot. We want to see YOU in your 1M4 gear. Every purchase goes directly to funding the work of 1M4 increasing access to safety and wellness.
