CAREGD Launches 'Drop the Weight' to Normalize Care in Black Community Spaces

The initiative aims to embed emotional check-ins and crisis clarity into trusted Atlanta organizations.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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CAREGD, a cultural care infrastructure organization, is launching Drop the Weight Atlanta to create space for emotional honesty and care in Black community spaces like churches, campuses, barbershops, and athletic programs. The initiative includes guided check-ins, creative workshops, and education on crisis resources, with the goal of reducing isolation and strengthening community connectedness.

Why it matters

Many Black spaces celebrate strength and resilience, but often silence vulnerability. Drop the Weight aims to break that pattern by giving people permission to name what they're carrying, whether academic pressure, financial strain, or emotional fatigue. By making care visible and intentional, the initiative seeks to strengthen a protective factor in the Black community.

The details

Drop the Weight Atlanta includes three core elements: a guided 'Drop the Weight Check-In' where participants identify and release what they've been holding, a 'Headspace Song Lab' where emotions are transformed into original music, and interactive training on when to use 911, 988, and other crisis resources. The model allows organizations to host single activations or build ongoing quarterly 'Headspace Drops' focused on themes like identity, family, anger, and life transitions.

  • Drop the Weight Atlanta launched in February 2026.

The players

CAREGD

A cultural care infrastructure organization building systems to embed emotional check-ins into sports, faith spaces, campuses, community hubs, and workforce environments.

Lisa C. Williams

The founder of CAREGD, who says Drop the Weight was created from what the Black community has 'lived and kept silent.'

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What they’re saying

“In our community, strength is honored — but too often that strength becomes silence. We are unapologetic. We are checking in loud so no one checks out quietly.”

— Lisa C. Williams, Founder, CAREGD (richmondnewsnow.com)

“Community connectedness has always been a protective factor in the Black community. When we make care intentional and visible, we strengthen what has always protected us.”

— Lisa C. Williams, Founder, CAREGD (richmondnewsnow.com)

What’s next

Organizations interested in hosting the Drop the Weight Experience and Headspace Song Lab can request partnership information by contacting Aniya at [email protected]

The takeaway

By making emotional care visible and intentional in trusted Black community spaces, Drop the Weight Atlanta aims to reduce isolation, strengthen community connectedness, and give people permission to name and release what they've been carrying.