our story.

from seeds to blossoms:

Imagine being one of the only Black girls in a suburban school—smart, ambitious, but constantly overlooked. That was the reality for both Dr. Mallory D. McCoy and Aisha Williams. We grew up on opposite sides of Missouri, but our experiences were painfully similar. Teachers and counselors steered us toward less challenging courses, and opportunities slipped by because we found out about them too late. We had to adapt to environments that weren’t built for us, all while trying to hold on to our identities. It wasn't just about fitting in; it was about surviving and thriving in spaces that often didn’t see us or value us.

These experiences left a mark on us. Mallory channeled her journey into her doctoral research, exploring the social-emotional awareness of Black girls in suburban spaces. She discovered what we both knew deep down—Black girls in these environments are often left out of the conversation. Aisha, fresh off her Freedom Dreams Project with Surge Institute, recognized the same gaps and reached out to Mallory. When we met, we clicked instantly. Our shared passion to make a difference became the seed for bell’s garden, which we planted in July 2024.

meet the team.

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about

Dr. Mallory D. McCoy

Dr. Mallory D. McCoy is a dynamic entrepreneur with many talents. She is a Black woman scholar, a mother, a partner, and a proud plant mom. She is also a veteran educator and currently nurtures young voices as a children’s choir director. She is a lifelong learner and constantly seeks knowledge and growth.

Dr. Mal is also an accomplished vocalist, an aural creative, and an advocate for storytelling. She also is the Founder and CEO of her own personal brand and serves her family as a property manager and owner of real estate properties around the Kansas City metro area. She is truly multi-passionate, refusing to limit herself to just one passion.

She lives in Kansas City North with her son and spends a lot of quality time with him. But, when she's not with him, she's writing and recording her podcast (whenmallorylives.com), running a business with her business partner (bellsgarden.co), running outside, at the gym, exhausting her ‘40 at 40’ birthday year list, traveling, and being a social butterfly.

about

Aisha Williams

Aisha Williams is a co-founder of bell's garden, an organization passionately dedicated to empowering Black female-identifying individuals. Proudly serving her hometown and the community her family has cherished for generations, Aisha is committed to creating positive change and fostering a sense of belonging. As a proud alumna of the Surge Fellowship, she has honed her leadership skills and deepened her commitment to educational equity and community empowerment.

Aisha is also the founder of Birth, Love & Harmony, a doula and lactation coaching practice dedicated to supporting Black mothers and families. Through this work, she provides culturally competent care, advocacy, and education to improve maternal health outcomes.

Currently, Aisha serves as the Family & Community Outreach Specialist for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). In this role, she works tirelessly to build strong connections between schools and families, ensuring that every student has the support and resources they need to succeed. Her efforts in community outreach have been instrumental in fostering collaboration and trust within the community, making a tangible impact on students' lives.

Prior to her role with KCPS, Aisha made significant contributions at City Year Kansas City. She began her tenure as an Impact Manager at both the Ewing Marian Kauffman School and Central High School. Her dedication and exceptional performance led to her promotion to Impact & Analytics Director, where she worked across several Kansas City Public Schools, including Central High School, Northeast High School, East High School, and Central Middle School. Her strategic insights and leadership helped shape numerous educational initiatives, driving student success and community engagement.

Aisha's journey in education began in 2014 when she joined Teach For America in Atlanta, teaching 7th grade English Language Arts at Forest Park Middle School. Her dedication to her students and commitment to educational equity laid the foundation for her future roles.

Aisha is a proud alumna of Mizzou, where she majored in Multicultural Psychology and minored in Gender Studies. Her academic background provided her with a profound understanding of the diverse cultural dynamics and psychological principles that inform her work today. She also holds a degree in Psychology from Cottey College, a prestigious women’s college, where she deepened her passion for mental health and well-being.

In addition to her work in education and birth support, Aisha is the owner of The A21 Creative, a design business that showcases her artistic talents and entrepreneurial spirit. She also plays a vital role in her family’s business, Mike P's Kansas City Style Sauces and Rubs, contributing to the rich culinary traditions that are a hallmark of her community.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Aisha is a devoted mother of two children and a supportive wife. She enjoys movies, travel, and exploring new culinary experiences, finding joy in discovering new places and flavors, which enrich her perspective and creativity. Aisha resides in Kansas City with her supportive husband James, their spirited daughter Alyse, and energetic son Xavier. Her family’s support and shared commitment to community service inspire her continued efforts to make a lasting impact on the lives of those around her.