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Meet Cayana Mackey of Party Because ATL in West End

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Cayana Mackey.

Cayana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Chattanooga, TN. When I graduated high school, I decided to move across the country and went to Baylor University in Waco, TX and studied Public Relations. I loved Baylor and became very involved in student activities and made many friends. Attending Baylor shaped my life, but I did not end my college career there.

Halfway through my sophomore year, I suffered from a mental breakdown and became hospitalized. Because of this traumatic experience, my parents wanted me to come home to Tennessee for the rest of the semester. I was devastated to leave my friends and my dreams. When I decided to go back to Baylor, I found out that I lost all my scholarships and would not financially be able to attend.

Later that year, I went back to the hospital two more times and received a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

This discovery threw a giant wrench into my plans. I dreamed of being a publicist living in Dallas or Austin; instead, I was a 21 year old with Bipolar disorder living in Tennessee. I refused to let that be the end of my story. After getting on a regimented treatment plan and staying connected to an amazing doctor, I entered my road to recovery.

I volunteered at an after-school program through Urban League of Greater Chattanooga; they later hired me as the Physical Education Coordinator. Working with the students gave me so much joy and a new passion to work in the nonprofit sector.

I enrolled at Lee University and finished my degree in Public Relations, with an emphasis in event planning. I’ve always enjoyed bringing people together. No matter what holiday or obscure event (I planned a President’s Day Party once) I enjoy seeing the smiles of people enjoying themselves at an event. I wanted to bring my two passions together to help the community.

I graduated and did two service terms in the AmeriCorps Program which brought me to Atlanta to work at Habitat for Humanity International.

After I worked at Habitat, I got a job working at a law office as a receptionist. They eventually let me go because it was a horrible fit for me. I began working odd jobs just to be able to pay rent. I knew I could not make this my life. I thought of my passions and goals, and I decided to plan a holiday event. What started as a way to pay rent, became a way to bring the community together. I planned the East Atlanta Slay Ride which benefited East Atlanta Kids Club. Partygoers went to four parties hosted at local bars in the neighborhood. People loved that they could party for a cause.

This idea caught on. After the event, I decided to start Party Because ATL. We hosted four events last year and now, have a robust year ahead of us.

None of where I am today could have happened if I gave up after my diagnosis. It’s crazy to look back and see how far I’ve come with the help of so many people along the way.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a business is anything but glamorous. Social media paints a picture of being a #girlboss as laughing with friends over mimosas and cheesing with awards an accolades. I even fall victim to posting the unrealistic picture of entrepreneurship. The hardest obstacle is building a name when Atlanta is filled with so many amazing people doing incredible things. We decided early on to not do what everyone else is doing when it comes to events. I’m constantly pushing my team to think outside the box. I’ll say, “Great idea! Now, how can we take it to the next level?” I love that my fierce team of black women are able to think creatively and move the needle.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Party Because ATL – what should we know?
Party Because is a social impact event group focused on bringing the party while supporting a cause. We connect young professionals with local causes at fun and engaging events. Our vision is to see Atlanta change responsibly by bringing causes and people who would not know the work they are doing together through collaborative community events. We are creating a space where the next generation of “change-makers” can collaborate to do good.

We are known for the connections that are built at our events. When I go to events, I hate feeling like I have to stay in my group of friends; Atlanta at times can feel clique-ish. We are killing that vibe to bring collaboration. People come to our events alone and end up making friends. That’s the secret sauce and the question I constantly put before the team. How can we bring diverse people together in a crazy and uniquely fun event?

We have worked with several social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and startups to bring their causes and ideas to life. This year, we have a few surprises coming so definitely follow us on Instagram to stay connected! @partybecause

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I choose every day to get up. Having a mental illness can cause me to not want to get up after a setback or even out of bed sometimes. However, I fight that mentality daily. When I fall, I get up. When I fail, I get up. Choosing to keep moving has helped me build a business and maintain it.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Quivana Waddles

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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