Meet The Team

T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS, RPS, is a nationally recognized and multi-award-winning peer recovery specialist, social entrepreneur, speaker, and author who serves as the co-founder and executive director of Black People Die By Suicide Too. A dedicated mental health educator, T-Kea is a certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid (youth and adult), Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Whole Health Action Management (WHAM). She was also among the first cohort in Maryland trained as an Ally and CARE Instructor for The Trevor Project, equipping individuals with the tools to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health.As a suicide attempt survivor, she has turned her lived experience into a powerful force for change, inspiring hope and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. She is the founder of the Mental Health Empowerment Agency, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening organizational and community wellness through transformative training, workshops, and strategic communications.In the fall, T-Kea will embark on her PhD journey at the University of Maryland College Park, where she will focus her research on Black suicide prevention to influence policy and funding for mental health equity. Her work is not only about awareness but about action; driving systemic change while empowering individuals on their healing journey.