July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to amplifying the unique mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and to dismantling the systemic barriers that prevent access to culturally responsive care. Bebe Moore Campbell was a celebrated author, journalist, and mental health advocate who tirelessly spoke out about the intersection of race and mental health. Her work centered the lived experiences of Black communities and pushed for equity, healing, and visibility. Her legacy is one of courage, love, and truth-telling, and we carry her vision forward in all that we do.
In her honor, and in the spirit of this month, we pause to remember two lives lost to suicide in 2025: Vaneisha Lenay Williams and Kyren Lacy. Vaneisha was a bright light. Her absence is felt deeply. As a Black woman, her life reminds us of the urgent need for mental health spaces that affirm, protect, and support the complex emotional experiences of Black women. We are often told to “be strong,” to “keep going,” to survive in silence. But Vaneisha’s story, like so many others, is a call to shift that narrative. Strength also looks like rest. Like being held. Like receiving care.
Kyren was deeply loved. His loss echoes through his community and through our collective grief. The false belief that suicide doesn’t affect Black men has kept too many in isolation. Kyren’s life urges us to create a culture where Black men are free to feel, to speak, and to heal without shame. He deserved support that understood his experience, and care that met him where he was. His story is a reminder that one person lost is one too many.
Why We Remember? We share the stories of Vaneisha and Kyren not just in mourning, but in movement. To honor their lives is to push back against stigma. To speak their names is to reclaim our right to grieve, to heal, and to demand care.
We honor all the Black lives lost to suicide, both named and unnamed, and remain committed to building a world where mental wellness is a right, not a privilege. This month, and always, we continue this work in the spirit of Bebe Moore Campbell because our people deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.
Disclaimer: The stories we share are gathered from loved ones, social media, and public sources. We do our best to ensure accuracy and honor each individual with care. If you are a family member or loved one and wish to update or correct any information, please contact us at info@blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo.org.
