Disclaimer: The story ahead gets messy! Mario, the visionary behind Messy Roots, commenced his professional journey as a middle school English language arts educator in 2012, stationed in Charlotte, NC. Utilizing literature, he ignited his students' awareness of the world, encouraging them to unveil their personal narratives. Mario ardently believed in the transformative prowess of storytelling, recognizing its potential to reshape lives.

Our existence takes on new dimensions when we absorb the stories of others. In his second year of teaching, Mario stumbled upon a profound revelation – he stood as the inaugural black male teacher for many of his students. Witnessing the profound impact he had on their lives, especially the young black boys within his after-school initiative, The Brotherhood, Mario embarked on a mission, fueled by his students, to emphasize the necessity of bolstering the presence of black male educators.

In collaboration with Jason Terrell, Mario co-founded a nonprofit, Profound Gentlemen, in late 2014, officially commencing their endeavor to enhance the representation of black male teachers. Beginning full-time in 2015, their partnership reshaped the support structure for male educators of color and educators at large. Employing a cohort-based model, guided by coaches, they provided tailored services to over 700 men of color within their organization.

Mario's focal role within this endeavor was coach training, a task he embraced fervently and decided to invest more time in. He pursued certifications in coaching, mindfulness, and yoga, aiming to offer industry-standard support to program participants. He generously shared this knowledge with fellow coaches, amplifying the impact of his efforts.

Having dedicated eight years to the cause, Mario and his team of 25+ coaches achieved an extraordinary feat – maintaining an annual retention rate of 98% for male educators of color. This accomplishment held significant weight, considering that male educators are disproportionately inclined to exit the profession, often hindered in their pursuit of leadership roles and career navigation. Mario found solace in listening to the narratives of the educators he served, a practice that fueled his commitment to ensuring their stories were accurately conveyed, whether to potential employers or policymakers.

These stories unveiled the imperative of supporting men and people of color not only in education but across diverse fields. Mario recognized that the scope of coaching needed expansion. Following personal challenges and discord in his role as a black queer nonprofit leader, Mario's coach guided him to envision a life and impact beyond Profound Gentlemen. Fueled by faith, Mario requested to step down, an action met with acceptance, though his ties to Profound Gentlemen remained strong.

Amidst mounting pressures, Mario embarked on a new endeavor, conceiving an organization with a distinct approach to coaching and empowering people of color. Thus, on May 21st, 2022, Messy Roots was born. The name holds symbolism – just as a plant's life hinges on its roots, tangled in the messy, dark, and muddy soil, leadership shares a similar complexity. Beneath the visible success lies an intricate root system that sustains it. Messy Roots seeks to connect with leaders at this foundational level, embracing the challenges and solitude that often accompany it.

Initially designed for male leaders of color to cultivate mindfulness, receive coaching, and evolve as leaders beyond education, the platform expanded organically. As months passed, an increasing number of leaders sought coaching and coaching roles. The program's focus pivoted towards creating pathways for aspiring and established male coaches of color to attain certification and ongoing development.

Messy Roots marked its inception by welcoming a pioneering cohort of leaders ready to transition into coaching roles. Its founding cohort members included Brandon Stephens (Monstera), Carver Ealy (Zanzibar), Courtney Moyer, (Zanzibar), Darren Rainey (Monstera), Davonte Augustus (Alocasia), Jemel Ntumba (Dracaena), Mathu Gibson (Zanzibar), Rogerick Currie (Dracaena), and Ubaid Bhatti (Alocasia). Over the span of a year, Messy Roots blossomed into a space that embraced coaches of color, growing to encompass more than 200 members and solidifying its mission to facilitate their growth.

Things fall apart, and we need someone like a coach to help us mend our lives back together again. Establishing a network of coaches of color presents a holistic approach to nurturing vulnerable leaders and communities on a global scale. Here's to the beauty of embracing the messiness inherent in this journey!