MentalHealthEmergencyFund.Com

Jessica Smith is a mental health advocate and community builder based in Baltimore, MD. She is the Founder of The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc., which helps provide financial assistance to marginalized community members experiencing a mental health crisis. She is an MSW student at Howard University and her therapeutic areas of focus are anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships and...

Marquis Carrington is a multi-disciplinary artist and mindfulness practitioner. He is based in Baltimore, Maryland and uses music, creative writing, photography, yoga, and podcasting to bring a variety of offerings to professional and communal spaces. He is the author of three poetry books and the host of the podcast "A Guy From A Place." In this episode, Marquis discusses issues around Black men'...

Ivory Haze is a singer-songwriter and mental health advocate from Washington, DC, whose music blends emotional honesty with powerful storytelling. Through raw lyrics and soulful melodies, she's been building to create songs that speak to healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Offstage, Ivory has become a huge advocate for mental health issues and overall well being and in return hopes to use any...

Dr. Kimberly R. Mayes, LCSW is the Founder & Clinical Director at Essence Therapy & Wellness Center, where she supports clients with individual therapy, corporate training, and culturally responsive interventions. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Mayes has held leadership roles and worked in hospital, educational, and non-profit settings.   Her most rewarding accomplishment is fo...

Maya Elizabeth, the co-creator of From M.E. to You: A Mental Health Concert, is a singer-songwriter, artist, mentor + a member at the Recording Academy (DC Chapter). Maya studied marketing at Howard University and graduated in 2016 as the School of Business Valedictorian. Then, she launched Maya Elizabeth Music LLC and has been spreading healing, truth, +love as an independent artist ever since. S...

Brittany J. Crawford, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Mind Bend Foundation. With years of experience in mental health, she witnessed firsthand how financial barriers prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. Recognizing the gap between affordability and quality therapy, she created Mind Bend Foundation to provide direct funding for those without adequate coverage....

Dr. Richardson is a mama, healer, and licensed psychologist with over 12 years of experience providing therapy in clinical, academic, and community-based settings. She brings a relational and culturally grounded lens to her work, centering the lived experiences of Black and Brown women and mothers.  Taking a holistic approach, Dr. Richardson believes healing happens not just in the mind, but in th...

Brandon Logan is a Licensed Behavior Analyst, transformation coach, and founder of 4 The Collective and The Thrive Nation Podcast. He serves on the board of AMINGA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth in the Global South with access to holistic education and sports training, fostering athleticism, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness. Through his work—ranging from wellness events to one-o...

Based in Baltimore, MD, Rachel Darden is a social media director currently pursuing a divinity degree and building Chosen by Grace, an emerging nonprofit dedicated to helping women discover and walk boldly in their God-given purpose.  She believes in the power of healing and the practice of rest as a form of liberation, offering Reset Day soul-tending journaling and meditation classes that create...

Tiffany Snead-Rose is a dynamic creative and youth advocate from Baltimore, Maryland. With over 12 years of experience supporting youth and young adults, she is the founder of multiple platforms including Finding the Beauty in Your Struggle, TMI Consulting and Seasons of Singleness the Podcast Uncensored. In her free time, she enjoys content creation, hiking, and spending time with her kitten, Sox...

Marjhoree Washington is the founder of Girl Get Up, a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and empowering women to rise. As a wife and mother of three, Marjhoree is passionate about creating safe spaces for healing and growth while pursuing her bachelor's degree in psychology to further her advocacy. Her mission is to equip women with the tools, support, and community the...

Sadija A. Smiley, MBA, is the Founder and CEO of Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (SAILS), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating pregnancy and infant loss. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Sadija blends her personal journey of loss with professional expertise to advocate for equity and healing in her community.   In this episode Sadija shares her infant los...

Elssa Kenfack is many things to many people and rooms but one thing that she hopes she is remembered as she walks out of rooms or fades into memories of others is that she loves the Lord. Elssa has served in many capacities as a therapist, community development advocate, creative, friend, daughter, sister and in all of those roles, she has tried to embody three main principles:      • 1. That we a...

Quintina Sonnie is a Lived Experience Expert in human trafficking and somatic practitioner who has been providing survivors with tools for healing for the past eight years. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer and Holistic Care Director at Survivor Ventures, a nonprofit based out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, lowering barriers and providing direct services to survivors of trafficking.  In t...

Janelle Carrington, LCSW-C, is the owner and a licensed clinical social worker at Alchemy Therapy and Holistic Wellness Space, LLC. She began her social work career in 2017, working with teens and young adults with autism and behavioral issues. In 2021, Janelle transitioned to private practice, expanding her focus to include adults and offering multiple therapeutic services. Driven by her mission...

  Autumn Walker is a Mental Health Therapist licensed in Maryland. After obtaining her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins in 2020, she founded The Soul Reasons LLC as a call to action to center mental wellness in response to the sociopolitical climate. Today, she equips mission-driven organizations to foster well-being in their companies to maintain morale and engageme...

Shountee Turner is the founder of The Write Narrative, LLC. Balancing responsibilities with the need for flexibility and supplemental income led Shountee to start her writing services business as a side hustle. What began as a necessity quickly grew into a passion for helping women and minority business owners through communication and fundraising, ensuring they have equal access to resources. In...

Shardae Carter, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder and clinical director of Dae to Dae Counseling Services. She considers herself a Grief Relief Strategist and in this episode, we talk about the many forms of grief, debunk some myths and talk about ways to cope with loss. Follow Shardae on instagram at @dae2daecounsel, on Facebook at Dae to Dae Counseling Services...

Christen is the CEO, Founder of SCB Luxury Styling where she helps sophisticated women harmonize their inner beauty with their outer appearance. She believes that understanding your body shape and lifestyle is the key to curating a capsule wardrobe that works. She also focuses on shifting her clients' relationship with style so that they can confidently show up as the person they were created to b...

Fatima M. Smith identifies as a Black woman who is a relentless advocate for anti-violence in our communities & community. She is also the Co-Founder of Collective 365, a grant-making, membership-based organization that serves Black and Brown changemakers in DC, MD and VA. She is a firm believer that, "a person who can describe a problem can also describe a solution; they just need time, space and...

Sharda Smith is a certified life coach, public speaker, and workshop facilitator, who is passionate about helping others reach their ultimate potential. She is committed to sharing the knowledge and personal experience she gained through her self-development journey to empower women, build their confidence, and unlock their purpose. In this episode, Sharda shares wisdom from the book The Four Agre...

Doreen Boateng, LCPC, brings extensive experience in trauma-informed care, ensuring that all services are delivered with empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity.  Her mission at Hope Restored Counseling Services is to create a nurturing environment where clients can safely explore their experiences, address underlying trauma, and integrate their faith in...

Kiara (Anese) Barnett, M.Ed is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Ph. D. program at George Washington University.  Throughout Anese's academic and professional career, her work has focused on supporting both mothers and children. Anese is also a volunteer with Postpartum Support Virginia. Anese is a wife and a boy mom of two. In this episode, Anese shares her traumatic journe...

D'Shawn Harris, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of MD and Founder of Safe Haven Therapy. Drawing on systemic and family-centered approaches, D'Shawn creates a professional and safe environment where clients can embark on their journey toward transformation. With a focus on fostering healing, empowerment, and growth, D'Shawn is dedicated to helping individuals navig...

  Jayden Aubryn (they/them), LICSW, is a Black, queer, non-binary, and ethically non-monogamous psychotherapist, personal trainer, and consultant. They specialize in the holistic healing of trauma by integrating mental, physical, spiritual, and sexual health. They aim to make healing both accessible and fun! In this episode, we talk about ways to incorporate art, music, movement and nutrition into...