Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Williams.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Michelle Williams — an entrepreneur, hair stylist, and community advocate who turned personal loss into purpose. I’ve been a business owner in the Park Hill community for over 25 years, and throughout that time, I’ve seen firsthand how trauma, access, and lack of awareness can impact families.My journey with A Hand Up Resources & Community Outreach began after losing brother, Kevin K. Jemison, to a fentanyl overdose in 2021. After years of struggling with unaddressed mental health challenges, Kevin started self-medicating to cope. — something he thought would help him — ended his life.
Kevin is my why. His story is the reason I stand in my truth today and the reason I dedicate my work to making sure fewer families ever have to experience the same pain. What I’ve learned through all of this is that this epidemic grows in silence and shame. Too often, families feel judged instead of supported. People don’t talk about it until it’s too late. I wanted to change that — to replace judgment with knowledge, fear with resources, and stigma with action.
In my grief, I made a promise to understand what happened and to do something about it. I trained with the American Red Cross, the University of Missouri–St. Louis Addiction Science Team, and the Missouri Department of Aging to learn about harm reduction, mental health, and overdose response. That’s what laid the foundation for my nonprofit.
A Hand Up Resources & Community Outreach now leads “Support Harm Reduction & Education in Our Community,” a program that teaches people how to recognize an overdose, administer Narcan, and use prevention tools like drink test cards, cup covers, and CPR masks. We later added hands-only CPR and conflict-resolution workshops to help people — especially youth and families — feel confident acting in an emergency rather than feeling helpless or afraid.
We’ve held sessions across Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago, partnering with schools, churches, and community organizations. Every time I hear that someone saved a life, or that someone now carries Narcan and feels confident they could respond in an emergency, it brings me comfort — and it’s my way of keeping Kevin’s name and purpose alive.
Our work has grown with the help of strong partners like Beacon Mental Health’s Prevention Resource Center and the Northland Coalition, who have helped us expand outreach and connect with more schools and community leaders. And we’re continuing to grow — our next phase includes The Blessings Project, a tiny-home community for seniors and veterans, and expanding harm-reduction and CPR training in underserved areas.
For me, this work isn’t just about awareness — it’s about action, compassion, and giving people the confidence to step up when it matters most. That’s how we build safer, stronger communities, one life at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. This work was born out of loss, and in the beginning, it was hard to even find the strength to talk about it. My parents, my sisters, my brother, and I all struggled to make sense of what happened to Kevin. When someone you love is gone suddenly, it changes everything. We were each grieving in our own way, trying to understand how something like this could happen — and why.
When I started doing this work, I didn’t have a clear roadmap; I just knew I couldn’t stay silent. There were moments I doubted myself, wondering if people would show up or care enough to listen. But every time I questioned whether I could keep going, my family became my anchor.
My husband Bryan has been patient with my mood swings and long nights; my kids, Gamil and Mya, never miss a chance to tell me how proud they are; my granddaughter Peyton is even my little social media helper. My sister Danielle is always my loudest cheerleader, and my sister Ceara and my brother Michael have been a huge help behind the scenes — especially with the website and all the tech things I would’ve never figured out on my own. My mom, Sharon, has prayed for me, and encouraged me. And my stepmom Shellie and my dad Michael have shown up to every single event I’ve held in Kansas City — their presence means more than I can express.
They all remind me that this isn’t just my journey — it’s ours. Their support has carried me through the hard moments and helped turn something heartbreaking into something that can help save lives.
Starting a nonprofit while still healing has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I had to learn how to write grants, organize workshops, build partnerships, and step into spaces I’d never been before. There were times I felt completely alone or unsure, but every time someone reached out to say they saved a loved one, or that they finally understood how to use Narcan, it reminded me that this work matters.
Funding has also been a big hurdle. We’re grassroots and rely on donations and community support to keep providing resources like Narcan, CPR masks, and drink test kits. But those challenges have also opened doors — partnerships with organizations like Beacon Mental Health and the Northland Coalition have helped us grow and reach more people.
It’s been far from smooth, but every obstacle has made me stronger, and every story of a life saved reminds me that even pain can lead to purpose.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’ve been an entrepreneur and business owner in the Park Hill community for over 25 years. Before launching A Hand Up Resources & Community Outreach, I built a successful career as a hair stylist — and that work taught me more about people and purpose than I could have ever imagined.
In the salon, I’ve spent years listening to stories from every kind of person — parents, teens, seniors, teachers, and veterans — people who come in carrying life’s joys and struggles. I learned early on that behind every person is a story, and sometimes just being there to listen can make a huge difference. Those conversations helped shape who I am today.
Owning my business for so long taught me discipline, compassion, and the power of community. It also helped me understand the importance of creating safe, welcoming spaces — whether that’s a chair in the salon or a classroom where someone learns how to save a life.
When I started my nonprofit, those same business skills carried over: customer care became community care. Building client trust became building partnerships. Managing a business became managing hope. The difference now is that the work doesn’t just change someone’s day — it can change someone’s life.
Everything I’ve learned as a business owner has helped me lead A Hand Up Resources & Community Outreach with the same dedication and love for people that started behind that salon chair.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I come from a large family, and some of my favorite childhood memories are from our weekend gatherings at my Grandma Ruth’s house. Every weekend felt like a family reunion — kids running around, the smell of barbecue, laughter echoing through the yard. No matter what was going on in life, being surrounded by family at Grandma Ruth’s made everything feel right. There was nothing like it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empoweredhands.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handupresources/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571438393381
