Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercy Strickland.
Hi Mercy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Meet Mercy Strickland — Founder of “Chai and Chit Chat,” – Building Community, One Cup at a Time!!!
When Mercy Strickland moved from the UK to Dallas, Texas, she carried more than her suitcases — she carried a dream. “Back in the UK, I had started a small group of Desi ladies,” she recalls with a nostalgic smile. “We bonded like family. We laughed together, supported one another, and it truly felt like home.”
So when Mercy relocated to Dallas, she found herself longing for that same sense of belonging. “I wanted to recreate that feeling — a space where women could just be themselves, share life, and connect over chai,” she says.
With that thought, Mercy made a simple post on a local social media page, inviting a few women — then complete strangers — to meet for a cup of chai. “We met, we talked, and we instantly clicked,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “That first meeting reminded me of what I had in the UK — the warmth, the laughter, the connection. And that’s really how Chai and Chit Chat, affectionately called as C3, was born.”
What began as a small chai gathering in 2021 has now grown into a vibrant, thriving sisterhood of over 6,000 South Asian women across the DFW metroplex. Today, C3 is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to connect, empower, and uplift South Asian women navigating life far from home — all without any membership fee.
“Our motto is ‘Fostering Friendship, Building Community, and Uplifting Together,’” Mercy shares proudly. “We wanted to create a space that feels like home — a safe, joyful, and welcoming community where every woman belongs.”
Under her leadership, C3 has blossomed into over 70 subgroups, catering to nearly every interest imaginable — from Cooking, Gardening, and Crafts to IT and non-IT knowledge sharing, Fitness, Social work, Single moms, Pregnant moms, Cancer conquerors, Infertility Support, Elementary/Middle Schoolers/Highschoolers and much more. “No matter your stage of life or your passion, there’s a group for you,” she says.
But Mercy is quick to point out that she doesn’t do it alone. “C3 wouldn’t be what it is without our incredible team — we have close to 70 dedicated leaders and hundreds of volunteers who are truly the backbone of this community. They pour their heart into everything we do.”
Before founding C3, Mercy worked as a Human Resources Director, and her background shines through in her leadership style — grounded in empathy, inclusion, and servant leadership. “HR taught me that people want to feel valued and heard,” she explains. “That’s the same principle I carry into C3.”
Over the years, C3 has grown into far more than a community group — it’s become a lifeline for countless women. “We’ve celebrated milestones together and walked through life’s mountains & valleys hand in hand,” Mercy shares softly. “We’ve sat by the bedside of women who were struggling with cancer, held the hands of those fighting depression and loneliness and surrounded them with mentors who gently helped them navigate their everyday battles.”
She pauses, her voice heavy with emotion. “We’ve stood beside women in hospital rooms as they brought new life into the world, cheering them through sleepless nights and the uncertainty of being a new mom in a new country. We’ve helped women rebuild their lives after abusive marriages, stood beside those walking through painful divorces, and cried tears of joy at weddings that reminded us of second chances and new beginnings.”
There have been moments of laughter that echoed through rooms and moments of quiet tears shared over a cup of chai. “We’ve seen women rediscover hope when they thought all was lost,” Mercy says. “When one woman falls, the rest of us gather around her — because no one in C3 walks alone.”
Through every joy and every storm, the heartbeat of C3 remains the same: to be a community that shows up — to hold, to help, to heal, and to remind every woman that she is never alone.
As C3 continues to grow, Mercy’s vision remains clear — to build a lasting legacy of connection and empowerment for generations of Desi women to come. “If one woman feels less lonely because of C3,” she says, “then my purpose is fulfilled.”
With her infectious warmth and quiet determination, she proves that one person’s vision, fueled by compassion and chai, can truly bring thousands together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been so rewarding. When I started C3, my goal was simple — to create a warm, genuine space for South Asian women to connect and support each other. In the beginning, building trust and engagement took time because that meant meeting people one on one, listening to their stories and ensuring everyone felt valued & welcomed and balancing the group with my personal and family commitments was definitely a challenge.
Some days are emotionally intense — attending a funeral of a person that you really cared and a wedding of another person that mean a lot to you on the same day, or spending hours at court with someone going through an abusive relationship, while still celebrating milestones with other members, could really take a toll.
As C3 grew, I learned the importance of delegation and teamwork. Today, seeing women form real friendships and the group blossom into one of North Dallas’ most vibrant communities makes every challenge completely worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I started my career as a Customer support for a Telecom company and worked my way up to become a Human Resources Director over the span of about 15 years.
I specialized in people management, leadership development, and building strong workplace cultures. I’m known for leading with empathy and creating environments where people feel valued and motivated.
What I’m most proud of is being able to help others grow — both personally and professionally. I believe what sets me apart is my ability to combine structure with compassion, bringing both heart and strategy into everything I do.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about titles or positions — it’s about impact. I define success by the number of lives I’m able to touch, encourage, and uplift.
In my community work with C3, it means seeing women find friendship, confidence, and hope again.
If someone walks away feeling less alone or more empowered because of something I’ve done — that, to me, is true success.
Contact Info:
- Website: chaiandchitchat.org
- Instagram: C3_Dallas
- Facebook: chai & chit chat (C3)
- Linkedin: C3 Women
