2024-2025 Mentoring Corp Leaders

Fun Facts:

1. I have 2 businesses
2. I use to compete in Cheerleading, Archery and Tennis competitions
3. I use to perform dancing and singing

Why Behavioral Health?

I decided to study behavioral health because I wanted to expand my view on life and human experience. I also find great joy in learning and helping others overcome. Throughout my life, I’ve naturally stepped into roles where I could guide and support people, and it’s fulfilling to see them achieve their goals and overcome their challenges. My own experiences and being around others facing difficulties have shown me just how important genuine support, resources and understanding is. This personal journey has inspired me to pursue a career in behavioral health, where I can make a real difference by offering the support that people need to thrive.

Fun Facts:

1. I write with my left hand but shoot a basketball with my right hand
2. I’m the youngest of four and a first-generation college graduate
3. I love to fish

Why Behavioral Health?

I have a deeply embedded passion to help others take control of their lives in order to become the absolute best version of themselves. I have a passion to bridge financial gaps in my community, as well as help people in my community find resources they need to overcome barriers in their lives.

Fun Facts:

1. I’ve studied abroad in London.
2. I answered the winning question in our 5th grade Brain Bowl competition.
3. I am passionate about acai, and want to own an acai franchise one day.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose a career in behavioral health because I believe we are more than just our physical or material selves. Growing up, I always felt empathy for individuals and understood that they were more than their circumstances. I believe that trauma, childhood experiences, and various social and spiritual factors shape our being. I pursued this career to help teach, support and heal others.

Fun Facts:

1. My birthday is 01/01/01.
2. I enjoy going to concerts and sewing.
3. When I was younger, I used to be terrified of pinecones.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose a career in behavioral health because I want to increase positive health outcomes of Black women suffering from perinatal mental health disorders (or PMADs). Black women are disproportionally affected by postpartum health conditions and are largely misunderstood in healthcare. By choosing a career in this field, specifically through social work, my work is guided by social justice principles that allow me to recognize their challenges holistically. To be fully supported as you navigate parenthood and mental health is a critical way to empower my community and accomplish reproductive health justice.

Fun Facts:

1. I am third generation native Washingtonian
2. I practice mindfulness-stress based reduction practices
3. I am founder of a community-based organization.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to pursue a career in the behavioral health field to encourage practitioners and caregivers to re-conceptualize our understanding of complex trauma and grief. In my work, I aim to investigate how the culture of homicide & compounded interlocking systems of oppression play a vital role in shaping African homicide survivors socio-emotional experiences following loosing a loved one to a violent crime. My mission is to discover how cultural factors related to grief and mourning as well as post-traumatic growth serve as important factors that help populations of color thrive after experiencing a trauma, or the death of a loved one. I strive to empower myself and other clinicians to embrace somatic wellness practices, understand the importance of culturally intelligent interventions, & leverage their privilege by utilizing humility as tool for learning and growth.

Fun Facts:

1. I love to travel the world
2. I’m very family oriented (family means the world to me)
3. Im a foodie 🙂

Why Behavioral Health?

I decided to pursue a career path in behavioral health because I learned that I had a passion for psychology as an undergraduate student at Albany State University. I realized that as a teenager, my siblings would come to me for advice and to be heard/understood without having to worry about being judge by me. Since then, I have been growing in my professional career path at Clark Atlanta University and I am grateful for the opportunity!

Fun Facts:

1. My birthday is July 4th.
2. I have a black belt in karate.
3. I travel out the country every new year.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to pursue a career in mental and behavioral health because I wanted to be the representation I never had but always needed as a Black man. I aim to change the stigma associated with mental and behavioral health, providing support and understanding within my community. My goal is to offer the kind of guidance and care that was lacking in my own experiences and to help break down the barriers that prevent people from wanting and seeking help.

Fun Facts:

1. I have climbed to the top of Mt. Kenya.
2. I have a poodle named Simba.
3. I am getting married in Jamaica this year.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to pursue a career in behavioral health because I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of mental health disparities on minority populations, especially within my own Kenyan-American community. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, and now studying at the first HBCU medical school on the West Coast, I am acutely aware of how systemic inequalities can hinder access to quality psychiatric care. My passion for global health and psychiatry was ignited during my time at the CDC, where I analyzed data on suicide and overdose, uncovering the stories behind the statistics. I am committed to bridging the gap in mental health services for underserved communities and advocating for equitable healthcare. Through my work, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have been marginalized and overlooked.

Fun Facts

1. I love to cook and bake many things from scratch!
2. I am a first-generation graduate student.
3. The top destination I’d love to travel to is Italy.

Why Behavioral Health?

I truly believe that choosing a career in behavioral health found its way to me. As a young child, it was difficult to find spaces that were safe for me to express my emotions. As I grew older I found that it was a shared experience for a lot of children, especially of color. From there I became passionate about creating a new normal of holding compassion for our mental health in diverse communities. Sharing this passion with others in need with empathy has become something I hold deepest to my purpose in life. My pursuit of this has fostered devotion to my goal of impacting and touching many lives through a trauma-focused mental health practice

Fun Facts:

1. I played the drums for 5 years.
2. I love acting.
3. I studied abroad in Rome, Italy.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to pursue a career in behavioral health because I believe in the transformative power of understanding and communication in healing. Growing up in a culturally diverse community, I learned the importance of identity, resilience, and community support. These experiences, coupled with witnessing the impact of systemic challenges on mental health, fueled my commitment to addressing disparities and providing culturally competent care. I am dedicated to fostering environments where individuals can explore their strengths and challenges, leading to meaningful personal and communal growth.

Fun Facts:

1. I have visited over 25+ countries and have lived outside of the United States in two different countries.
2. I started my own LLC called Mind & Medicine to help families and patients suffering from mental health and substance use disorders.
3. In the last year I’ve won sponsored trips to New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and California.

Why Behavioral Health?

Growing up of Caribbean descent in a family of meagre means and with limited access to education, I was raised among a culture where mental illness was feared and misunderstood. It became a goal of mine to address this misconception as a health education and behavior major in college. It was through this coursework I came to learn about the complex circuitry of psychiatric disorders and the various social and environmental factors that compounded them.

Fun Facts:

1. I am left handed.
2. I have a pet gecko.
3. I like to crochet.

Why Behavioral Health?

As an individual with many minority identity characteristics, I have always found it easy to recognize the ways in which individuals are systemically marginalized and discriminated against. From inadequate healthcare to disproportionate rates of poverty, minority individuals experience an outrageous amount of threats to their well-being, often with very few resources to combat them. Additionally, I have always believed it’s important that people who are passionate about working with oppressed and at-risk populations are in spaces where they can advocate for them, provide representation, and make a difference through culturally competent service. As such, I have felt called to a career in the behavioral health field, particularly in social work, where I can deepen my knowledge and become an agent of change challenging the intricate systems and circumstances that impose these barriers. Ultimately, I aspire to become the type of professional who works to ensure all people have their basic needs met, their rights protected, and the opportunities to thrive and reach their highest potential.

Fun Facts:

1. I love to play basketball.
2. I love to coach basketball.
3. I love to work with youth with behavior issues.

Why Behavioral Health?

I choose to pursue a career in behavioral health to understand the difference/importances of behavioral health and to help individuals who are in need.

Fun Facts:

1. I play videogames in my free time .
2. I love cooking and watching cooking shows.
3. I have 6 brothers.

Why Behavioral Health?

For a long time, I was lost. I knew I wanted to work with people, but many people who I knew personally didn’t have a college education nor had the same drive as me to want to help people. Many of my peers in high school had an idea about what career path to follow because of family guidance, yet there was me, a high schooler who didn’t even try to apply to college because I didn’t even know how. It wasn’t until this counseling intern, who, surprisingly enough, knew my family, asked me about counseling, and slowly introduced me to the degree requirements for counseling,. Before I knew it, I was enrolling in a community college and looking up all the requirements to be in this profession. While it has been tough, trying to navigate the world of academia as a first-generation college student, I wouldn’t change my career choice I’ve grown to love the world of counseling the more I studied it and have been apart of it.

Fun Facts:

1. I am a avid gamer who enjoys building my own PCs.
2. I am a former rugby player.
3. I am dog dad to Nugget.

Why Behavioral Health?

As a physician in training, I see the unique opportunity to build rapport with patients and develop treatment plans that cater to each person’s unique needs both from a pharmacological standpoint as well as from a system standpoint. In my time working through the various clinical sites associated with Morehouse School of Medicine I have come to understand the importance of competent and culturally sensitive care. I have also grown to recognize what gaps exist in care and particularly those with the youth. The field of child and adolescent psychiatry is not only important for the early action on conditions of the youth but also understanding and working within the dynamics of parent-child relationships and societal systems that shape the day to day lives of our patients.

Fun Facts:

1. I helped get Juneteenth recognized as a holiday in Philadelphia.
2. I have my own senior residential home.
3. I love traveling.

Why Behavioral Health?

Growing up in Philadelphia, I witnessed a lot of untreated trauma. Many individuals from my neighborhood suffer from mental health issues and cover it up by responding with violence or ignorance. I believe if I can take an intentional approach and meet my people where they are, they can be more receptive to a positive outlook on mental health and have more coping skills. I grew up with my mother helping everyone and was a beacon of light in many people lives. Growing up at times, I would wake up with many of my items missing and they were given to people who needed it more. This has not only conditioned me to not be attached to materialistic things but to always move with love and help others in need. My mother always instilled in me, “Be kind, help others if you can. In a snap of a finger, God can take everything from you and you can be in the same situation as the next person.” My mother’s words lived with me throughout my whole life and I have dedicated my life to helping others in need.

Fun Facts:

1. I wanted to be a guest on the Mickey Mouse Club when I was a kid.
2. I collect rocks and plant seeds from every state/country I visit.
3. Turtles are my favorite animals.

Why Behavioral Health?

I believe in both the effectiveness and efficiency promoted by being well and being healthy. The two are symbiotic. Study in the field of Behavioral Health is an excellent way to acquire knowledge that is useful in assisting with healing and sustaining the whole person, authentically and holistically. Realistically, the impact is beneficial to ALL participants in various ways. Developing a greater sense of self in context with connections through human experiences is also an advantage in learning what the components of health and wellness look like, and how best to infuse them to improve quality of life. This is integral to the overall mental, spiritual, and emotional elevation and evolution of humanity, personally, professionally, publicly, and privately.

Fun Facts:

1. I enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
2. I’m an avid horror film watcher.
3. I am an alumnus of The Illustrious University of Georgia.

Why Behavioral Health?

The rates of depression and anxiety among minorities have increased significantly over the past few years for a variety of reasons including social injustice, socioeconomic insecurities, and societal pressures. As someone who is a part of this community, I have been plagued with this reality myself. Not only have I observed a lack of access to culturally competent mental health care services for minorities, but I have also personally seen the consequences of what happens when these inadequacies are not properly addressed. One of my life goals is to play a part in stopping the generational curses that have continually plagued ‘us’ and inhibited the growth and success of numerous black youths. I desire to not only be an agent of change in the perception of mental health but to also be an image of positivity and optimism.

Fun Facts:

1. I love to cook.
2. I love to attend concerts.
3. I love spending time with family and friends!

Why Behavioral Health?

My choice to pursue an advanced degree and eventual career in the field of behavioral health (specifically, counseling psychology) is motivated by my belief that the acts of listening to and holding space for one another are sacred to human existence. It is my hope that through both research and clinical practice, I am able to cultivate and provide safe spaces for people to learn to express their most authentic selves and access their individual agency.

Fun Facts:

1. I love traveling and exploring new places and I’m always ready for my next adventure.
2. I’m passionate about football, whether cheering for my favorite team or playing the game myself.
3. I enjoy volunteering, dedicating my time to helping others, and positively impacting my community.

Why Behavioral Health?

My love and passion for behavioral health arose from a desire to understand the brain, thoughts, and human behavior. I wanted to explore how psychological factors influence behavior, emotions, and mental health, and assist others in navigating the challenges they face. Having experienced and witnessed the benefits of mental health support, I am driven to help others achieve the same. It’s both a personal and professional calling for me to promote mental health, consult with individuals about their concerns, help them achieve their wellness goals, and provide support and care for those receiving mental health services while advocating for better mental health care.

un Facts:

1. I am left-handed.
2. My dream travel location is Thailand.
3. My favorite artist is Chris Brown.

Why Behavioral Health?

I decided to pursue a career in social work because I understand the importance of having someone by your side to help you reach your goals without judgment. Social work is a field that allows you to choose from a multitude of career options, all while actively using your degree and ensuring job security. I chose social work because I knew that with this particular degree, I could enact changes to policies and programs that negatively impact the lives of people of color, women, and children. Pursuing a degree in social work will allow me to positively impact my community by giving back and providing the necessary resources I see are lacking, such as mental health awareness and resources, and community advocacy. Pursuing a degree in this field will allow me to create an open and resourceful community environment ensuring that access to resources to meet all basic needs is available.

Fun Facts:

1. I’m a member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
2. I enjoy cooking/ baking in my spare time.
3. I love watching sports especially football!

Why Behavioral Health?

I wanted to pursue a career in behavioral health because I believe it is important that everyone from all backgrounds have access to mental health care. For me, it is important to break the negative stigma toward mental health especially in black and brown communities; sometimes it’s okay to not be okay. Mental strength does always mean carrying every burden but having the strength to vulnerable. In my future career, I know I may not be able to help everyone, but being able to provide mental tools for one person can change those around them is enough. Mental health is a domino effect.

Fun Facts:

1. My favorite color is green.
2. I love music.
3. My alternative career choice would be a florist or interior designer.

Why Behavioral Health?

The choice to pursue a career in behavioral health began after I observed the stark differences between my community and others. As I grew up and garnered more autonomy over my environment, I was driven to understand why these disparities existed. Seeing how various social and environmental factors influenced people’s well-being and individual behavioral patterns sparked my curiosity. Through these, and other experiences, my passion for uncovering and addressing the underlying causes emerged as my passion.

Fun Facts:

1. My favorite childhood activity was going camping with my friends. My longest trip was 10 days!
2. I don’t like chocolate.
3. My childhood nickname was Pistachios because they were my favorite snack and I always had some with me.

Why Behavioral Health?

I have always been passionate about healthcare and public service, but my interest in behavioral health and psychiatry deepened during my third year of medical school. Through my patient interactions, I recognized the significant need for mental healthcare, particularly among underserved and marginalized populations. I observed firsthand the detrimental effects of untreated mental illness on individuals, families, and communities. Conversely, I also saw how medical treatment, therapy, and social support can empower people to reclaim their lives. These experiences solidified my desire to become a mental healthcare provider and advocate.