The Black Brain Campaign is a non profit 501c3 organization created to eradicate the stigma against mental health in the Black community by providing a holistic approach to therapy treatment. Our services include free individual and family counseling, training courses for therapists, supervision, and community resources.
OUR TEAM
Farida E. Boyer is the Executive Director and Cofounder of the Black Brain Campaign Association. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and an Approved Supervisor, Mrs. Boyer is responsible for improving mental health, strengthening community and client relationships as well as business development.
Dr. Kevana Nixon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who services the Philadelphia and Delaware area. Kevana currently serves in several roles that include her being an AAMFT approved clinical supervisor at Drexel University, Clinical coordinator at The Black Brain Campaign-LEAP program, and Adjunct professor. Dr. Kevana obtained her Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy from Drexel University to become a leader in the field of CMFT and provide innovative assessment and treatment with individuals, couples, and families. In addition, Kevana supports her community by lending her time and talent to local organizations that promote and support mental health initiatives. Kevana’s love and purpose is to transform the lives of people by providing healing in a safe and supportive environment.
Jeannine Hinnant is a native of Philadelphia, PA. Jeannine holds an undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Temple University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College. Jeannine is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field.
Katrina N Edmonds, LMFT-AS is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor who has been practicing for 21 years and has historically serviced the Philadelphia & South Jersey areas. Katrina is known for her family of origin/genogram work and for addressing issues such as the impacts of chronic illness on families, religion/spirituality, self-esteem/self-worth, trauma, grief/loss, parenting, forgiveness/reconciliation and addiction. Katrina is devoted to helping people acknowledge and accept their past so they can inform their present and improve their future.
Cynthia Byron-Williford is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a School Counselor certified in Pennsylvania. She has over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, working with children and adults in community and school settings. Currently, she operates a private practice in Cheltenham, PA. Ms. Byron-Williford has provided supervision to aspiring counseling professionals for over five years.
Ryan McMillian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private telehealth practice in King of Prussia, PA. He has trained and educated budding therapist as a lecturer and supervisor. In addition, Ryan serves underrepresented populations and Princeton Theological Seminary and Villanova University. Ryan speaks nationally on an array of topics from emotional intelligence to mental health in the workplace/spiritual setting to the importance of self-care. He has presented for Division 1 sports teams, Fortune 500 businesses and churches and synagogues. His work and research in these areas have helped leaders and executives connect more with their employees and families per self-reports. Formerly a Division-1 student-athlete at Michigan State University, Ryan works and trains youth on a volunteer basis.
Wesley G. Harris III, LPC NCC is the Clinical Coordinator at M.A.P.P.E.D. LLC. He is a board certified and licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania specializing in assisting others navigate their traumatic experiences. He is a holistic practitioner focused on using one’s strengths to guide them to wellness. He is also employed by the School District of Philadelphia as a Clinical Supervisor. He oversees behavioral health services in some of the most at-risk schools in the district. Wesley is a Certified Prolonged Exposure Therapist and Supervisor. He has been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He has been addressing gaps in the mental health system for over twenty years. Currently he trains other mental health professionals as the Clinical Coordinator for Black Men Heal ensuring that they use evidenced-based treatment modalities that are culturally responsive as a means to facilitate healing.
Nichelle Wiggins is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the fields of Social Work and Mental Health over the past 20 + years. Nichelle provides effective, evidenced based treatment to children, adolescents, and adults struggling to manage symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Trauma, Adjustment Disorder, and ADHD. Nichelle strives to create an environment of acceptance while developing a collaborative therapeutic relationship with her clients. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents and can be an advocate for families to access support for their child’s social and emotional needs. Nichelle specializes in the treatment of OCD, and other anxiety related disorders including phobias and body-focused repetitive behaviors. Treatment modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Training. Nichelle implemented these treatments in a variety of settings including Family Based Services, Crisis Management in a hospital Emergency Department, Elementary School Counseling, as well as Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programming. Nichelle is currently in private practice treating clients in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Marlon Garrett is a dedicated Masters Level Therapist with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in Solutions Based Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Marlon is passionate about reducing systemic trauma in the community by rebuilding the village. One of Marlon’s mantras is “It takes a village.” Marlon effortlessly incorporates compassion and empathy into every counseling session. Marlon’s focus is on empowering those who struggle to tap into their full potential and cultivate self confidence. Marlon says it is his honor to serve his community in the best way possible.
My name is Nikindi, and I aim to ensure that clients feel understood and supported. I aim to help clients reframe their worried thinking, deal with trauma from the past, navigate familial relationships that influence their thoughts and behavior, and discover their own identities. My objective is to assist and nurture clients through collaborative processes through reframing negative self-talk, establishing healthy boundaries to bring about change, improving coping abilities, and exploring a systemic approach for promoting growth and see progress. My areas of interest are interpersonal connections, grieving, and anxiety. I am especially aware of how anxiety impacts a person’s experiences across all systems, how loss impacts coping mechanisms, and how it impacts relationships with friends and family. I’ve worked with couples, children, depression, reunification, and overall anxiety.
My name is Tyrik Bailey. I was born on raised in South Philadelphia. I graduated from Cheyney University in 2002 with an Bachelors Degree in Social Relations. I have 21 years of experience working in the mental health field. That experience has allowed me to work with children as well as adults in home, community and school settings. I am very devoted to encouraging and uplifting those who live with mental health issues, to gain and remain confident in their abilities to live positive and productive lives.
Hello! I’m Nicole Wilson, and I bring over 15 years of dedicated experience in human services, with a specialization in health services management and psychology. I hold a Master of Science in Health Services Management and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which has equipped me with a robust foundation to excel in my field. In my role, I have consistently focused on enhancing our services and expanding our reach. One of my proudest achievements was doubling the waiver census for Long Term Support Services while successfully revamping the Office of Developmental Programming. This comprehensive program overhaul not only improved the quality of services provided but also significantly increased our revenue hours. I believe that every enhancement made directly impacts the lives of those we serve, and I strive to create systems that empower both individuals and staff alike. As I look to the future, I am excited to continue my journey in health services, driven by a belief in the transformative power of compassionate care and efficient management. I welcome the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals and organizations that share my vision for a healthier, more equitable future. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me!
Ed is a dedicated mental health professional that holds an MPH in Global Mental Health and is currently completing a MSEd in Mental Health Counseling at The University of Pennsylvania.
By fostering an authentic, supportive, and affirming relationship Ed will help you guide your journey to better mental wellness. He is passionate about therapy and helping people navigate life stressors. He has experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and is committed to treating the psychological effects of oppression, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Ed’s therapeutic approach uses Cognitive-Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, and Adlerian principles.
Everyone is different and brings unique experiences to the table, so Ed’s goal is to work with you collaboratively on achieving your treatment goals. Fun fact: I visited 30 countries before turning 30.
Luvonda Fuller is from North Philadelphia. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Rosemont College in 2023. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Villanova University. She is currently interning at The Black Brain Campaign. Luvonda is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health care in the Black community and hopes to achieve this goal through her work.
Marcus graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in psychology. After completing his undergraduate degree Marcus began working in the field of addiction, becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor (CADC) in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Having seen how his patient’s families were influenced as a result of addiction issues, Marcus decided to begin a graduate program in hopes of helping families deal with the wide range of issues they face in modern society. He currently works as a Community Liaison in which he helps link patients with various treatment facilities in the Philadelphia area. Marcus works from a trauma informed framework with a focus on intersectionality and collaborative approaches.
My name is Tarshea Luma, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I am licensed in New York and New Jersey, working with diverse individuals, couples, and families presenting with various concerns. I have extensive experience in the field of child welfare, working with families that have been reunified after a long separation and looking to repair familial bonds. I also have experience working with individuals and families with mental health and substance abuse disorders, as well as emotional problems like anxiety, depression, trauma, and everyday stressors, to name a few. I specialize in pre-marital counseling, couple and familial counseling, domestic violence counseling, batterer’s accountability, separation and divorce, and co-parenting. I practice a strength-based approach incorporating systemic modalities infused with a faith-based perspective. As the client, you are the expert of your own life, and my role and function is to guide, support, share insight, and present useful tools on our therapeutic journey.
My name is Dawanya Shuler . I graduated from West Chester University with my bachelor’s in 2022; I am currently in my second year of graduate school for Professional Clinical Counseling at LaSalle University. My goal is to give mental health services to marginalized people who are overlooked and carry the burden of stigma for suffering from mental distress. I believe I can help clients get through universal systemic issues through the lenses of feminist theory and solution-focused therapy.
Schante’ Y. Frazier is a devoted Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a fervent dedication to guiding women through their transformative journey towards healing and self-discovery. Specializing in trauma-informed therapy, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, and the cultivation of self-esteem and confidence, Schante’ seamlessly merges her professional expertise with her Christian faith to offer comprehensive and empowering counseling services.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” is a quote that has motivated Aman in his journey to become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Aman was born in Punjab, India; moved to Astoria, Queens in New York City and in his prime adolescent years moved to the Philadelphia area. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University in 2013, Aman enrolled in the Master of Family Therapy Program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, where he graduated in June 2017. Aman started his Doctorate Fall 2021 at Drexel University studying Couples and Family Therapy with a focus on marginalized communities. Aman’s trauma based therapeutic approach celebrates diversity with a systemic approach. He specializations in Adults, Teens/Young Adults, Trauma, Substance Use, Mental Health, Dual Diagnoses, Life Cycle/Life Transitions, LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Contextual Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Forensic Services.
TESTIMONIALS
“The Black Brain Campaign is an incredible collaboration that breaks the stigma of mental health. Many times it is easy to discuss illnesses like cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. However, it is still challenging for people of color to talk about depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The mission of the Black Brain Campaign is to break down the walls and demystify emotional wellness. Through their leadership, m constituents participated in an intimate yet impactful conversation last year. I look forward to staying connected and working with them in the future.”
“According to the US Census, in 2010, African Americans are incarcerated five times more than other ethnic groups. In Pennsylvania 8.9 % of African Americans we incarcerated due to mental illness.
I applaud the Black Brain Campaign and their commitment to helping the black community learn more about the overlooked and often stigmatized issue of mental health. The impact they are making will have a ripple effect far beyond treatment, but helps individuals build a better future for themselves by receiving proper, culturally competent treatment.”
“I knew Ms Boyer, whom I called Fareedah as a friend before getting into the program. When first being approached about it, I did not know what to expect. Looking at the program, it appeared challenging and I must admit I was apprehensive at first. My first week was hectic, as I was getting adjusted to the schedule. The 2nd and subsequent weeks after, I enjoyed every minute. The best part was the supervision and having direct access to the supervisors with questions and concerns and being able to just ” talk” when needed. I highly recommend this program to anyone that is looking to get their license and be prepared to not only learn but experience growth that will make you a better clinician.”
“LEAP gave me the opportunity to grow professionally. Because of this program, I was able to pursue my goal of being an Approved Supervisor. LEAP not only provided me with the clinical skills I needed to be an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, it provided mentoring, peer support, and the opportunity to serve the people in my community. I was proud of the work I did in LEAP and the clinical support I provided my trainees.”
Working with Leap has been a game changer. I was challenged, I grew and developed . It was a pleasure to be among some wonderful women of color that were experienced therapist. Everyday wasn’t roses but my experience I will forever be grateful!!
Eradicate the stigma of mental health in the black community!
“Removing the stigma of mental health through community education and advocacy.”