Fun Facts

Fun Facts

• I am the primary advisor for the Gamma Chapter of Lambda Tau Youth Sorority Inc.
• I am the owner of Dream Events Planning and Coordinating
• I am the brand ambassador for Plush Boutique in Rayville, La.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to work in the behavioral health field, because it has always been a passion. I love to be able to advocate for my people and to provide children and families with resources and information that can ultimately assist them in living a better life. I want to be able to help remove the stigmatization placed on mental health in my community. I also want to be able to help those in the African American community break generational curses, understand that mental health is to be taken seriously, and know that it’s okay to have God and therapy.

Fun Facts

• My mother is the most influential person in the world to me. She’s awesome!
• I love soul food
• Everything that I do in life is to make my father proud

Why Behavioral Health?

Growing up in the African American community, I saw first hand how behavioral health issues have continuously been overlooked. The negative stigma that comes with behavioral health or mental illness prevents the African American community from seeking and receiving the help that they need. I chose the behavioral health field because I would like to change the outlook on behavioral health and mental illness in the African American community. I want to go into inner cities and advocate for the behavioral health field. It is my hope to change the attitude of the African American community in regards to mental health. A career goal of mine is to help young males express their feelings and emotions. I want them to understand that it’s ok to be vulnerable it’s ok to be scared. Ultimately, it’s ok to be human!

Fun Facts

• I enjoy writing poetry and short stories
• I love to travel
• I love art

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose Clinical Mental Health Counseling because I want to help others make lasting changes, end self-destructive patterns in their own lives, and achieve their personal or professional goals.  I am interested in getting to know, understand, and empathize with people’s most intimate hopes, fears, dreams, and struggles. I feel as though my current institution is preparing me for this life changing career and I am excited about the journey.

Fun Facts

• I was adopted at 3 months old
• I am a proud Afro Latina
• I have lived in Boston, MA, Tampa, Florida, Puerto Rico, and now Washington D.C

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to obtain my PhD in Social Work to conduct the research that is missing from literature as related to people of color and mental health. Dominant ideologies create dominant narratives about people of color, and unfortunately some of these narratives are false or have been misconstrued. My hope is to be able to contribute to the growing body of research of African Americans and Afro Latinos in the areas of mental health, and help reduce the stigma of mental health in Black communities.

Fun Facts

• I started driving at 13 years old
• I often get mistaken for my daughter’s sister
• Although I’ve never been a teacher, I have worked with students for the last 7 years

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose behavioral health as my profession because the community deserves to have someone that genuinely cares about their mental well-being without bias. It is my opinion that multicultural, competent, highly educated therapist should be accessible to everyone. I will promote a more just and humane society through counseling in collaboration with school and community partnerships and counselor education programs. I recognize that there are stigmas associated with mental illness. It is my goal to help more minorities seek out therapy as they find more relatable professionals.

Fun Facts

• I absolutely love reading historical fiction and books with well crafted lore
• I love anime and video games
• I recently started a small jewelry company to channel my creative passions

Why Behavioral Health?

I have always had an interest in mental health and a passion to serve the African American community. It has always been my intention when entering the field to contribute to research and work that enhanced the overall mental wellness of the African American community. The holistic tenets of rehabilitation counseling truly resonate with the work I want to accomplish in my community; seeing and treating the entire individual, in an empowering humanistic way. On a personal level, as a young African American woman who has grown up in the rural south, I have seen the benefits counseling can provide when dealing with mental illness, but also how hard it is to obtain valuable resources. It is important to me to directly confront stigma surrounding mental health within our community.

Fun Facts

• I have been writing a performing spoken word poetry since I was 11 years old
• I started a non-profit organization in 2012 called Global Issues Incorporated
• I was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to become a Mental Health counselor because I love to communicate a help people. I believe that change is attainable for everyone. I have taken great interest in the opioid epidemic and feel that I can be of service in the fight against it as a counselor. Substance abuse counseling is my top interest as I believe that addiction is a disease that can be managed under the proper circumstances.

Fun Facts

• Sung with artists such as John Legend, Common, Jennifer Holiday, and Demetria McKinney
• Featured in a photoshoot for the 2018 March Issue of Essence Magazine promoting the Disney Dreamers Academy Program
• Beginner’s level American Sign Language

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose to be a School Psychologist because I have a love for the brain and I believe that children are the root of our success. If we fail them, we fail as a people. Ensuring that our children have the best educational resources along with the best behavioral models is what motivates me to work in the field of education. I feel that if one child can be impacted in a positive way, imagine the other children you can have an impact on. I want to give back. Not just to my community, but the school community at large by making sure children are provided the best at all times.

Fun Facts

• I enjoy traveling and make it a mission to visit a body of water in every place I venture
• Liberation is always a topic of interest with strangers
• Being able to create a beloved community makes my heart happy

Why Behavioral Health?

I want to pursue a career in behavioral health because communities that experience displacement are limited in accessing behavioral health supports. It is imperative for me to be able to apply my unyielding activism and life experiences to empower communities that are put at risk. As a Behavioral Health Ambassador, I will be able to continue research examining the synthetic marijuana (K2/Spice) crisis facing the nation by looking at how to improve access to services and person-centered care for vulnerable populations.

Fun Facts

• I am a full-figured model
• I love to be outdoors although I am bonafide city girl from Chicago, IL
• My five year old niece and I have recorded very crazy and funny Facebook live videos of our antics since she was two years old, called the Sugie N DeDe Show. We really need a YouTube channel.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose the behavioral health profession because I always wanted to help people get to the root of their problems to generate solutions. Now, as a future clinical social worker, my goal is to help individuals cultivate a more holistic lifestyle that incorporates mental wellness and behavioral health support.

Fun Facts

• Single Mother
• Love Family & God
• Love to travel

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose this field because I have gone through counseling for depression, anxiety and being a parent. I also worked for nine years on a Behavioral Health Unit which I took a love for helping people with behavioral problems. When I first started in 2006, it was called the Acute Psychiatric Unit. In 2013, it was changed to the Behavioral Health Unit because they started treating substance abuse and other behaviors. after a large portion of substance abuse clinics were closed by the governor. I made up my mind that I would remain in behavioral health because of my helping spirit and the confirmation that I received from medical professionals that told me that it was my calling. Prayerfully, I will make a difference in the lives of others through my service in this field.

Fun Facts

• I am a Competitive All Star Cheerleading Coach
• Member of Chi Sigma Iota Honors Society
• Love to serve people

Why Behavioral Health?

I became a Behavioral Health Ambassador because I want to provide access to those seeking to learn what it means to be a Counselor. I chose the behavioral health field of counseling because I believe that School Counselors are essential in schools to help children develop a positive sense of identity and provide academic support. By becoming a counselor, I will be in a profession that aligns with my core values of inspiration, compassion and advocacy.

Fun Facts

• Loves to vacation with family and friends
• Volunteer for anything that involves helping others
• Teach the game of basketball to youth in her community

Why Behavioral Health?

I am no stranger to the HBCU atmosphere. I received my undergraduate degree from Grambling State University in the Fall of 2013. I chose the field of Rehabilitation Counseling because of my passion to educate myself and those around me in the form of advocacy for people with disabilities. I hope that through my participation in the ambassador program that I will gain more resources to advocate for persons with disabilities.

Fun Facts

• I enjoy retail therapy
• I enjoy trying new food
• I also enjoy meeting new people

Why Behavioral Health?

I found an interest in behavioral health while volunteering at the crisis center. Most of my supervisors at the center were MSWs and LCSWs which convinced me to pursue my master’s in social work. During my first few years of undergrad, I had a hard time finding my niche. When I started volunteering at the crisis center, I realized I was good at crisis intervention and others appreciated my effort. From that experience, I knew my purpose and passion were not too far away.I was right. I would not trade my social work profession or my experience at Grambling State University for anything in the world. They have helped to develop me into the agent of change that I am.

Fun Facts

• Loves seafood
• Lover of anime
• Although I lived in the Caribbean, I cannot swim

Why Behavioral Health?

I was born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. As a third year graduate student attending Howard University in pursuit of a Master’s degree in School Psychology, my innate ability to help others and be a change agent fuels my desire to work with marginalized populations in urban settings. I chose to pursue a career in School Psychology because I aim to provide early intervention and services intended for students suffering from academic, social, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Through experience gained working in the hospital and educational settings, I honed my abilities to work collaboratively with school personnel and stakeholders to ensure that each child achieves his or her full potential within the school setting. I plan to return to the Virgin Islands and serve my local community by setting up facilities, generating programs, and being another voice for minorities.

Fun Facts

• I created my own major: Urban Youth Development and Health while attending the University of Connecticut.
• I’ve traveled to a new country every year since I studied abroad in Italy in 2016.
• I express creativity through writing, doing makeup, and completing various DIY projects.

Why Behavioral Health?

I chose a future in School Psychology because my interest in serving marginalized populations in inner-cities by encouraging rhetoric around education and (physical, sexual, and mental) health as students matriculate through the public school system. My life experiences align with the missions of the career as well.. School Psychology allows me to be engaged in the academic progression of students in urban areas while also helping them to succeed socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. My education and passion ignites my passion to be a beacon of change that is needed in inner-cities across the nation.

Fun Facts

• I am originally from Boston, MA
• I have traveled to many different countries including India, Cambodia, and South
• I am of Haitian descent

Why Behavioral Health?

While working as a case manager for young mothers experiencing homelessness, I realized that mental health, homelessness, and trauma are all intersected. After making this connection, I decided to go back to school so that I could be better equipped when working with vulnerable populations. After looking into the different MSW programs in the D.C area I decided to apply to Howard University. I knew that I wanted to work with people of color and I was persuaded the best education and experience would come from a university that focused on the African/African-American perspective.

Fun Facts

• My favorite color is orange. (This had no influence on me choosing FAMU.)
• Gardening and farming are my favorite forms of therapy.
• I often dance like no one is watching.

Why Behavioral Health?

I became interested in psychology after taking an Intro class. Over time, my interest matured when I observed the strong need for mental healthcare in Black communities. While taking Community Psychology, I was introduced to the idea of looking at psychological issues and disorders from a collective standpoint. I embraced this way of thinking about mental health because I understand that people in the African Diaspora are collectivistic. While individual Psychology is important, one that focuses on more than the individual makes a larger impact. I am dedicated to helping my community in anyway that I can.

Fun Facts

• Haitian American
• First Generation College Graduate
• Aspires to travel the world

Why Behavioral Health?

Fun Facts

Fun Facts

Fun Facts

Fun Facts