We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melodie Slaughter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melodie below.

Alright, Melodie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

One day, I was simply looking for something to do, somewhere to go, a space to just be, but I quickly realized that a lot of what was out there felt like it was either for younger girls or for older women. There wasn’t much in the middle.

That’s when the idea for Roots & Rise started to form. I started thinking “Why not create the space I’ve always needed?” A space where Black women can be fully themselves. Not strong all the time. Not polished or perfect. Not shrinking themselves to make others comfortable. Just… real. Because the truth is, Black women are constantly expected to be everything, strong but not angry, confident but not loud, soft but not too soft. And I wanted to challenge that. I wanted to create a space where we could just exist and feel safe doing so.

When it came to the name, I really sat with it. I knew I wanted it to feel rooted in identity. Specifically Black womanhood and also forward-moving, like growth and elevation. That’s how Roots & Rise was born. “Roots” to remind us of who we are, our culture, our power, our shared experience. And “Rise” to represent how we continue to uplift each other, build community, and grow stronger together.

Now at 19, I’m still building Roots & Rise brick by brick. What started as a thought turned into a space, and soon that space will grow to be home for many.

Melodie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Melodie Slaughter, and I’m the 19-year-old founder of Roots & Rise, A social club created to serve as a safe, empowering space for Black and Brown women to connect, grow, and simply be.

I started this because I know what it feels like to crave community but struggle to find it. Growing up, I was shy and dealt with social anxiety. I wanted to be part of something, but never quite saw spaces where women like me were fully seen or understood. And even beyond that, so many spaces for Black women come with unspoken pressure to be strong, quiet, or polished just to be accepted.

So I created what I needed. A space where softness is celebrated. A space where sisterhood and identity are at the center.

I started putting the idea into motion in December. By February, we had our first event, a non-alcoholic sip and paint. I was only 18 at the time, but I knew love and intention were enough to get started.

Since then, we’ve hosted our second event, “Spring into Self-Care”, in honor of Women’s History Month. Guests came together to build self-care kits for local women’s shelters, learn practical self-care tips, and enjoy an afternoon of music, light refreshments, and community.

With two events under our belt, Roots & Rise is slowly but surely growing. The energy is real. The community is forming. And it’s only the beginning.

Our events are always free or low-cost. I never want finances to be a barrier. Whether it’s creative workshops or a dance class, everything we do is rooted in care and accessibility.

What sets Roots & Rise apart is how intentional we are. We’re not just throwing events. We’re creating environments where black women feel seen, held, and safe to just be. Whether you’re bold, quiet, or figuring it out, this space is for you.

What I’m most proud of is how deeply people have connected to it. I’ve had a few women tell me, “this is great and well needed” and “I’m so happy I found this, I can’t wait to attend future events.” That’s what keeps me going.

If there’s one thing to know about me and this brand, it’s that this is heart work. It’s real, it’s intentional, and it’s just getting started.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ll never forget the night before my very first Roots & Rise event. I was sitting in my room.. creating a playlist, surrounded by paint brushes, canvases, and a million thoughts running through my head. I had done everything I could to prepare for this sip and paint.. booked the space, promoted it online, gathered supplies but all I could feel was fear.

I was 18, shy, and keep in mind still battling social anxiety. I had never hosted an event in my life. I kept staring at the ceiling thinking, What if no one comes? What if this doesn’t make sense? What if I’m not the one to do this?

But deep down, I knew why I started Roots & Rise. So even with all those nerves and doubts, I told myself, just show up.. even if it’s small, even if you’re scared.

The day of the event, I got there with my box of supplies and decorations. Slowly, women began to arrive.. some smiling, some quiet, some unsure of what to expect. Then food arrived and a few more women showed. As we painted and laughed and talked, I watched the room soften. I made a few new connections with some amazing women who keep in contact with me still and I was able to create some bonds for others. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it felt intimate, inviting and full of love. It was exactly what I had envisioned.

That day taught me something I’ll never forget: resilience doesn’t always look like confidence or control. Sometimes, it looks like showing up when your voice is shaking. Sometimes, it’s doing the thing even when you don’t feel ready. That first sip and paint reminded me that even when I doubt myself, the purpose is bigger than the fear.

And now, every time I host an event or take another step forward with Roots & Rise, I carry that night with me. The fear, the courage, and the quiet strength it took to believe in something no one else had seen yet.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I needed to have it all figured out before I could start something meaningful.

When I first had the idea for Roots & Rise, I kept telling myself I needed more.. more experience, more money, more confidence. I felt like I had to be older or more qualified before anyone would take me seriously. That mindset held me back for a while.

But eventually, I realized the only thing I really needed was to start. I had the heart, the vision, and the purpose, and that was enough. Once I let go of the idea that everything had to be perfect, I gave myself permission to grow as I go.

That shift in mindset is what allowed me to launch Roots & Rise. It wasn’t about having it all together. It was about having the courage to begin anyway.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @therootsandrise