Illuminating the Unseen: Unsung Black Heroes in Mental Health and Their Legacy of Healing
Honoring the Past, Empowering the Present in Trauma Recovery
In the journey of trauma healing, visibility is medicine. While mainstream narratives often overlook their contributions, countless Black individuals have quietly shaped mental health advocacy, education, and community care. As we commemorate Black History Month, we shine a light on the unsung heroes whose contributions to mental health and community care have often gone unrecognized—past and present—who have fortified through resilience and innovation. Their stories remind us that healing is not solitary; it is rooted in collective strength and legacy.
Historical Pioneers: Laying the Groundwork for Mental Wellness
1. Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller (1872–1953)
One of the first Black psychiatrists in the U.S., Dr. Fuller’s pioneering research on Alzheimer’s disease debunked racist medical ideologies. Despite facing segregation, he mentored Black physicians and emphasized the link between systemic oppression and mental health disparities. His work laid the foundation for culturally competent care (Gamwell & Tomes, "Madness in America").
2. Fannie Lou Hamer (1917–1977)
A civil rights icon, Hamer co-founded the Freedom Farm Cooperative, providing Black Mississippians with land, food, and sanctuary during Jim Crow. Her activism highlighted how economic justice and mental wellness are intertwined: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free” (Brooks, "A Voice That Could Stir an Army").
3. The Black Panther Party’s Survival Programs
The Panthers’ free breakfast programs and community health clinics (1960s–70s) addressed the trauma of poverty and systemic neglect, modeling holistic care that remains vital to trauma-informed practice today.
Contemporary Advocates: Bridging Gaps in the Digital Age
1. Dr. Marquis Norton (@drnortontherapy)
Role: Licensed therapist, professor at Hampton University (Hampton, VA), and founder of Norton Therapeutic Solutions.
Contributions: Dr. Norton merges academia with social media advocacy, offering culturally grounded tools through his #HealingWhileBlack campaign. His workshops at HBCUs and online platforms normalize therapy for Black men and women.
Impact: “Our stories are our strength,” he emphasizes, fostering cultural pride in mental health journeys (Norton Therapeutic Solutions, 2023).
2. Kim Young (@dopeblack_socialworker)
Role: Clinical social worker and founder of Dope Black Social Worker.
Contributions: Young combats burnout among Black clinicians while educating followers on intergenerational trauma. Her Dope Black Therapy Directory connects Black clients with culturally competent providers.
Impact: Named a “Mental Health Disruptor” by Essence (2021), she bridges gaps in access and trust.
3. Shahem Mclaurin (@5ahem)
Role: Therapist and content creator redefining Black masculinity.
Contributions: Through “5ahem Challenges,” Mclaurin encourages men to embrace vulnerability via journaling and community dialogue. His work, featured in Therapy for Black Men, dismantles stereotypes linking strength to emotional silence (Mclaurin, 2023 webinar).
Grassroots Visionaries: Building Sanctuaries of Hope
1. Alvin Owens (Kenosha & Racine, WI)
Role: Community leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Beyondcollege.net.
Mission: Fostering empowerment through education, economic justice, and cultural pride.
Barbershops as Healing Hubs
Owens’ barbershops in Kenosha and Racine are more than grooming spaces—they are community anchors:
Mental Health Advocacy:
Barbers receive training in trauma-informed listening, creating safe spaces for clients to discuss systemic inequities, grief, and stress.
Monthly “Mental Health Mondays” partner with local therapists to distribute resources like crisis hotline cards and free counseling vouchers (Kenosha News, 2022).
Economic Empowerment:
Employs formerly incarcerated individuals, offering stable income, mentorship, and skills training. Over 15 employees have transitioned to full-time careers in trades and entrepreneurship since 2020 (Kenosha News, 2023).
Beyondcollege.net: Education as Liberation
HBCU College Tours:
Annual tours chaperone Wisconsin students to campuses like Howard, Spelman, and Hampton. The tours include:
Campus Immersions: Meetings with HBCU faculty, alumni, and current students.
Workshops: Panels on scholarships, STEM careers, and mental health resources.
Mentorship: Pairing students with professionals in their fields of interest.
Impact: A 2022 tour participant secured a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University, crediting the tour for “showing me my potential” (Kenosha Tribune, 2023).
Community Building & Cultural Advocacy
Juneteenth Celebrations:
Owens co-organizes Kenosha’s annual Juneteenth festival, partnering with local Black-owned businesses and artists. The event features:
Youth Empowerment Workshops: Sessions on Black history, financial literacy, and mental health.
Resource Fairs: Free health screenings, voter registration, and connections to housing assistance.
Live Performances: Highlighting local musicians and poets to celebrate Black culture and resilience (Kenosha News, 2023).
Back-to-School Drives:
Distributes free school supplies and backpacks to over 500 students annually, with barbershops serving as donation hubs.
Sports Mentorship:
Sponsors youth basketball leagues in partnership with the Kenosha Boys & Girls Club, emphasizing teamwork and academic accountability.
Impact
Economic Mobility: 80% of Owens’ formerly incarcerated employees have remained gainfully employed for 2+ years, breaking cycles of recidivism.
Education Access: Beyondcollege.net has helped 200+ students apply to HBCUs since 2019, with 60% receiving scholarships.
Cultural Legacy: His Juneteenth festivals draw over 3,000 attendees yearly, fostering unity and pride in Kenosha’s Black community.
Mental Health Advocacy: Barbers create safe spaces for clients to discuss grief and systemic inequities.
Physical Health screenings and free haircuts: Owens spearheaded a fundraiser, 24 Hour Barber Challenge”, to support community programs that services teen.
Economic Empowerment: Owens employs formerly incarcerated individuals, offering stable income and mentorship.
2. Corwin "Corey" Knight (@IamcoachKnight, Hope Reentry Network, Washington, D.C.)
Mission: Empowering formerly incarcerated individuals through holistic support.
Background: Formerly incarcerated, Knight founded the Hope Reentry Network (HRN) to dismantle systemic barriers.
Job Training & Employment: HRN partners with local businesses to provide vocational training in construction and tech, addressing unemployment and recidivism.
Mental Health Support: Offers free counseling and peer-led groups to process trauma from incarceration.
Impact: HRN has placed over 300 individuals in jobs with living wages (HRN Annual Report, 2023).
Physical Health screenings and free haircuts: Owens spearheaded a fundraiser, 24 Hour Barber Challenge”, to support community programs that services teen.
Keyonna Jones (@Kayemj6, Washington, D.C.)
Role: Artist, community architect, and founder of the Congress Heights Art & Culture Center (CHACC).
Mission: Bridging art, advocacy, and mental health to empower marginalized communities.
Art as Activism
Through her Congress Heights Art & Culture Center (CHACC), Jones transforms Southeast D.C. neighborhoods like Anacostia and Congress Heights with public murals addressing racial trauma and resilience. Notable projects include the “Rooted in Strength” mural (2022), celebrating Black women as pillars of community care.
Hosts art therapy workshops at CHACC, guiding participants to process trauma through painting, collage, and storytelling.
Fashion with Purpose
Curates “Threads of Resilience” pop-ups at venues like the Eaton Workshop, spotlighting Black designers whose work centers mental health narratives. Proceeds fund free therapy vouchers for D.C. residents, distributed through clinics like Whitman-Walker Health.
Fellowship & Community Building
Founded the “Sisterhood of Survivors” fellowship for Black women, combining:
Art circles (quilting, poetry slams).
Skill-sharing workshops (financial literacy, sustainable fashion).
Group therapy led by licensed Black therapists.
Launched a mentorship program in 2023 pairing teen girls with local artists and mental health professionals.
Policy & Institutional Partnerships
Collaborates with the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health on “Healing Through Hue”, bringing art therapy to public schools and shelters.
Advocates for city funding to expand creative spaces in underserved neighborhoods.
Impact
Her #FreeToFeel campaign (hybrid art exhibit/social media movement) garnered 10,000 pledges to embrace emotional vulnerability, with installations displayed at CHACC and the Anacostia Arts Center (The Washington Informer, 2023).
CHACC’s programs have engaged over 1,200 D.C. residents in art therapy and community-building initiatives since 2021 (CHACC Annual Report, 2023).
Why Their Work Matters: Trauma-Informed Lessons
Cultural Affirmation: From HBCU tours to D.C. murals, these heroes honor Black traditions of communal care.
Holistic Healing: Addressing root causes of trauma—racism, poverty, incarceration—through education, employment, and advocacy.
Accessibility: Grassroots and digital efforts democratize mental health resources, proving healing can thrive beyond clinics.
Conclusion: Carrying the Torch Forward
This Black History Month, we celebrate these unsung heroes who remind us that resilience is woven into everyday acts of courage. Their legacies teach us that trauma recovery is not solitary—it is nurtured in community, culture, and collective action. At The Peaceful Place, we honor their contributions by centering cultural pride, equity, and connection in every step of your healing journey.
Call to Action
Join us in celebrating these visionaries. Explore our trauma-informed therapies, designed to empower you through advocacy, education, and the enduring strength of community. Together, we rise.
Sources
Gamwell, L., & Tomes, N. (2002). Madness in America: Cultural and Medical Perceptions of Mental Illness.
Brooks, M. (2014). A Voice That Could Stir an Army: Fannie Lou Hamer and the Rhetoric of the Black Freedom Movement.
Norton Therapeutic Solutions. (2023). https://nortontherapeuticsolutions.com.
Essence. (2021). “Kim Young Is Normalizing Therapy for Black Communities.”
Kenosha Tribune. (2023). “Beyondcollege.net HBCU Tour Changes Lives.”
Hope Reentry Network. (2023). Annual Impact Report.
The Washington Informer. (2023). “Keyonna Jones: Weaving Art and Activism to Heal D.C. Communities.”
At The Peaceful Place, your healing is rooted in legacy. Let’s honor it together.
*This blog highlights the profound yet often unseen contributions of Black leaders in mental health, offering a tribute to their enduring impact during Black History Month and beyond.
