Often when we think about being safe, we think about stillness. But Founder, Teya Knapp, proves that safety can be achieved through movement and flexibility, under her nonprofit; A Safe Space Mentor. From hikes and retreats, to support groups centered around deep healing and vulnerability, Teya has cultivated a third space that shows up and shows out for mental health equity.
We know all too well that adulting consists of obligation after obligation. So where would we go to build communities and find time to feed our joy, outside of our homes and careers, especially at a low cost? A third space.
During the BLM movement and pandemic, Teya created A Safe Space Mentor to provide mental health equity to BIPOC communities. Because she grew up in her grandmother’s soup kitchen and even started her own mentorship program called Project Hue at 19, she’s always been involved in service work. So when she saw the need for a safe space, she made a way. Her fearless work has influenced new connections, emotional and mental healing, and even educational building. I had the privilege to speak with Teya and learn more about the why and how behind this impactful organization.
Let’s first take a moment to highlight the social work you’ve been doing pretty much all your life. How have you carried your experience working in the soup kitchen and with Project Hue into A Safe Space?
TK: I was young when I worked in the soup kitchen, but it really instilled in me that putting community first was so important. My grandma wasn’t rich, but made sure to help others. ‘Cropblocks’, which are hikes where everyone would bring food and eat before hiking, inspired the hiking we now incorporate in A Safe Space. Also, family dinners are incorporated in most retreats. I started Project Hue when I raised enough money from a Fashion Show to bring 30 young adults to a Brooklyn brownstone for 2 weeks. Now, with A Safe Space, I’m sometimes able to bring people together completely for free. We’ve been able to take a trip to Japan, and other countries in the past.
Do you think there is a relationship between third spaces and the inner child?
TK: Oh, absolutely. I just remember being a child and having the best time outside at the park or even just running through a field. Also the public library. These were all places for growth and building community as kids. We had a lot of fun in these spaces, so having third spaces that are also interesting is just as important.
Now I know you recently became a mother to a beautiful baby boy, so I wanted to ask how motherhood has been, and how it has changed your approach to your organization?
TK: Before giving birth, we were hosting 4-5 monthly events but now I’m not able to attend as often. Not only do I love to be present and interact, but also those who attend our events get used to interacting with me as well. So now I’m more intentional about how and when we’re hosting. We recently shared a survey to ask our community what they need. My life is changing, having a serious partner and new baby, but so is everyone else’s. Being a mother has made me be more thoughtful and intentional when it comes to A Safe Space.
Wellness is interpretive. But if you had to, what advice might you give someone who’s experiencing A Safe Space Mentor for the first time?
TK: I would say be open-minded. Our events range from intimate support groups that can get deep and involve crying and other aspects of healing, or they can be something playful like our recent rollerskating event. Roller skating was more light, but both can be used to remedy depression. Be ready to talk to strangers and open to meeting new people. You might go on a retreat where you know absolutely no one and it’s like a camp for adults, so you’ll probably be meeting new people.
As a founder, what have you implemented to make people feel safe?
TK: When I show up, I share my story and I’m vulnerable. I’m a leader, but so is everyone else in the room, so I want them to feel like they can be vulnerable as well. Listening and getting feedback is important. We also like to be intentional about who we’re partnering with, and even sometimes having a smaller space for an event so that people feel the event is intimate enough to be vulnerable.
It seems like a common theme for A Safe Space Mentor is movement. Can you speak to the importance of moving your body and resting, as it relates to mental health?
TK: We try to incorporate physical activity to remedy restlessness, depression, and anxiety. And this is on top of the regular health benefits that come with movement, like helping to avoid something like heart disease. We’ve had a lot of events around this, and even done a kickboxing class in the past. In terms of rest, most of us probably haven’t truly rested since we were young children. Many of us have so many obligations as adults, especially functioning as a single adult and having to handle most things on your own. It’s important we create a space where people can just show up and not have an obligation outside of rest.
What are your thoughts on IRL third spaces versus online social platforms?
TK: There are pros and cons to third spaces in social media. It’s a great way to find inspiring spaces and content. It’s actually how we’ve built a lot of our community. But it’s also easy to get stuck scrolling on social media for hours on end, and comparing yourself to the content you’re consuming. Scrolling for too long is not great because we actually need human connection. And not to mention, experiencing the blue light alone from our phones, for extended periods can be unhealthy too.
It’s a difficult time for BIPOC and queer people under the current administration. Have any of your offerings or methods changed in this current political climate?
TK: A Safe Space Mentor was started to provide programming and resources to BIPOC, and ultimately a lot of our community is queer. We’ve gotten questions about expanding our events to additional communities and while we don’t tell people no, we remain intentional about keeping our spaces exclusive. Inclusive to our community. Our funding has also been affected under DEI cuts because we are women of color-owned, but we’re still standing.
How would you like to see A Safe Space expand or evolve?
TK: We actually have talked about this recently. We want to stay true to our values, but support new things like environmental causes, funding the food disparity problem, and maybe even working with trauma victims. In terms of expanding, we recently held The People’s Pitch where we allowed entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas for a social impact organization, and the winner left with $2,000 unrestricted funds to get started. I also led a class on building your brand for social impact in an effort to provide more educational tools. Expanding would be creating social impact outside of mental health because we want to make sure we are helping people who need it the most.
Lastly, do you have any upcoming events you’d like to share with our audience?
TK: We are currently planning for winter/spring right now, and we typically use the holidays to gather and rest. There will be a men’s group in January called Penmanship. This is in partnership with Author Joél Leon and NARC (Not a Run Club). Men need these spaces, so we’d love for them to come out. And the date is TBD, but there will be another The People’s Pitch again in the spring.
Be sure to keep up with @asafespacementor on Instagram and Tiktok for ways to support & engage with their growing community. Check out our full Centering Third Spaces Cover Series, also featuring Gladys Books & Wine, and Saint James Libations.
Credits:
Photographer: Breanna Nichelle
Written by: Asya Evans
Deputy Editor: Blue-Waverly Wahome
Head of Editorial & Content: Naomi Brooks
Director of Music & Culture: Skylar Rochon
Producer: Kaya Nova
Production Assistant: Nzingha Florence
