Volunteers
Our dedicated volunteers make this work possible.
Black Mental Health Awards Committee
T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS, RPS
Chair
In addition to serving as the executive director and co-founder of Black People Die By Suicide Too, T-Kea also serves as the chair of the Black Mental Health Awards committee, a heartfelt endeavor she has nurtured for seven years. During her tenure as a production and talent coordinator on shows such as Black Girls Rock!, the BET Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards, T-Kea dreamed of creating a similar experience to celebrate and honor Black mental health. Combining her skills in event production and communications with her passion for mental health, and with the support of the committee, her vision is coming to life in 2025.
Vacant
Committee Member
Monika Driver, MPH
Committee Member
Monika Driver, MPH
Committee Member
Monika Driver, MPH, has been a dedicated member of the Holy Cross Health Network since 2010, initially as a Health Educator before transitioning to leadership roles within the Community Benefit arm of Community Health. Her work spans coordinating health education efforts and organizing numerous community events annually across Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. With a focus on compliance and community engagement, Ms. Driver ensures Holy Cross Health meets its obligations under community benefit regulations by identifying local health needs, overseeing responsive programs, and providing detailed reporting to stakeholders. Her recent promotion to manager, Healthy Communities underscores her commitment to advancing initiatives that promote wellness and address social determinants of health within the community. Ms. Driver received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and her master’s degree from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, LA.
Alexandra Mosby
Committee Member
Alexandra Mosby
Committee Member
Alexandra Mosby is a seasoned cosmetology professional and educator with a profound dedication to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness. With a career spanning various roles within the beauty industry, Alexandra has consistently demonstrated her commitment to enhancing her clients' overall well-being through holistic approaches. Alexandra is dedicated to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness, creating holistic programs that emphasize self-care and well-being. By thoughtfully combining beauty treatments with mental health support, Alexandra fosters an environment where clients can achieve both physical relaxation and emotional well-being. This innovative approach positions her as a leader in the field, committed to enhancing the lives of her clients and students through comprehensive care and education.
Lauren Jenkins, LCPC, CCTP
Committee Member
Lauren Jenkins, LCPC, CCTP
Committee Member
Lauren N. Jenkins is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP), mental health & suicide prevention advocate, speaker, and trainer. She is the owner of The Journey2Well, LLC, whose mission is to empower and equip organizations, through training, coaching, and consulting to promote emotionally healthier staff, leaders, and work environments. In addition, Lauren provides trauma-specialized psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She also specializes in working with individuals called to the helping profession and with those navigating significant life transitions. Lauren has a personal connection to this work, including her own journey with mental health challenges as well as lived experience with suicide loss and her own personal struggles with suicidality. It was after experiencing great loss and then a suicide attempt in 2012 that was the catalyst to her healing and the pursuit of professional and advocacy work in the mental health and suicide prevention spaces.
Vacant
BMHA Committee Member
Vacant
BMHA Committee Member
Alexandra Mosby is a seasoned cosmetology professional and educator with a profound dedication to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness. With a career spanning various roles within the beauty industry, Alexandra has consistently demonstrated her commitment to enhancing her clients' overall well-being through holistic approaches. Alexandra is dedicated to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness, creating holistic programs that emphasize self-care and well-being. By thoughtfully combining beauty treatments with mental health support, Alexandra fosters an environment where clients can achieve both physical relaxation and emotional well-being. This innovative approach positions her as a leader in the field, committed to enhancing the lives of her clients and students through comprehensive care and education.
Brittany Hanani, LGPC
Committee Member
Brittany Hanani, LGPC
Committee Member
Brittany, a licensed therapist, seamlessly blends her passion for mental health with her innate creativity. With a background in psychology and a fun, creative personality, she crafts therapeutic experiences that engage both the mind and the senses. Beyond her therapy practice, Brittany thrives on organizing events that foster connection and well-being, infusing each gathering with thoughtful touches and innovative activities. Whether guiding clients through their healing journey or orchestrating grand events, Brittany's dedication to nurturing individual growth and community spirit shines through in all she does.
Vacant
BMHA Committee Member
Vacant
BMHA Committee Member
Alexandra Mosby is a seasoned cosmetology professional and educator with a profound dedication to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness. With a career spanning various roles within the beauty industry, Alexandra has consistently demonstrated her commitment to enhancing her clients' overall well-being through holistic approaches. Alexandra is dedicated to integrating beauty services with mental health and wellness, creating holistic programs that emphasize self-care and well-being. By thoughtfully combining beauty treatments with mental health support, Alexandra fosters an environment where clients can achieve both physical relaxation and emotional well-being. This innovative approach positions her as a leader in the field, committed to enhancing the lives of her clients and students through comprehensive care and education.
Communications Committee
Dr. Alissa Bey
Chair
Dr. Alissa Bey
Chair
Dr. Alissa Bey is the communications coordinator and chair of the communications committee for Black People Die By Suicide Too. She assists in enhancing communication initiatives, including crafting engaging monthly newsletters, managing donor relations, and developing social media content. Dr. Bey's educational training and career focus on prevention-based research, contributing to changing systems impacting mental health. She earned a bachelor's, master’s, and doctorate from Wichita State University.
Zaira
Committee Member
Zaira
Committee Member
Zaira is a dedicated advocate working for a nonprofit that supports people navigating life struggles, mental illness, substance use challenges, neurodivergence, disability, grief, trauma, or other obstacles to mental wellness. As a Black same-race adoptee who spent time in foster care before being adopted, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Zaira is the founder of the podcast Adoptees Crossing Lines, where she engages in honest conversations about being an adoptee and the broader family policing industry. An abolitionist at heart, Zaira is passionate about social issues and is committed to amplifying marginalized voices. Her work is deeply informed by her lived experiences and her dedication to creating supportive, inclusive spaces. Zaira’s mission is to foster understanding and solidarity within her community, ensuring that everyone’s journey is honored and supported.
Amber Ebanks, Esq.
Committee Member
Amber Ebanks, Esq.
Committee Member
Amber is a licensed attorney who is passionate about criminal and human rights law. She is deeply motivated by a desire to uplift her community. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and American University Washington College of Law.
Vacant
Committee Member
Development Committee
Vacant
Chair
WyKisha R. Thomas-McKinney
Committee Member
WyKisha R. Thomas-McKinney
Committee Member
WyKisha McKinney's fight against suicide began after her brother died by suicide in 2004, leading to a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and severe anxiety. With family support and counseling, she found hope in helping others affected by suicide, gaining extensive knowledge in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. WyKisha is a highly sought speaker and trainer, and she recently launched her new company, The TwenTea Company, a tea retailer that donates 20% of its profits to suicide prevention.
Vacant
Committee Member
