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.
Hello, I am Saniyyah Al-Hadi, the new executive assistant at The Black Brain Campaign. I hold both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from West Chester University and am currently pursuing licensure as a Master’s-level Social Worker (LMSW).Prior to joining The Black Brain Campaign, I worked as a social worker at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), connecting families with essential community resources, and as a Program Coordinator at Girard College, where I created after-school programs based on student feedback. With a strong passion for mental health, especially within the Black community, I am committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health care and advocating for equitable access to support.
Jala McDaniel is a proud Philadelphia native and a Marketing graduate from Morgan State University. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she is committed
to service, leadership, and community engagement. Jala has gained valuable experience through internships with the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director’s Office, City Council’s 4th District, and the Office of the Governor for the Southeastern Region. Passionate about both people and creativity, Jala enjoys spending time with family and refining her craft—crocheting—in her free time. She brings a unique blend of professionalism, purpose, and personality to every opportunity she takes on.
to service, leadership, and community engagement. Jala has gained valuable experience through internships with the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director’s Office, City Council’s 4th District, and the Office of the Governor for the Southeastern Region. Passionate about both people and creativity, Jala enjoys spending time with family and refining her craft—crocheting—in her free time. She brings a unique blend of professionalism, purpose, and personality to every opportunity she takes on.
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.
Nichelle Wiggins, LPC, brings over 20 years of experience in Social Work and Mental Health, providing evidence-based care for children, adolescents, and adults managing Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Trauma, ADHD, and more. She creates an accepting, collaborative therapeutic environment while advocating for families navigating their child’s emotional and social needs. Specializing in OCD and anxiety-related disorders, she utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). Her background spans Family-Based Services, hospital Crisis Management, Elementary School Counseling, and Partial Hospitalization/Intensive Outpatient programs, and she currently serves clients in private practice across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
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.
My name is Kyle Gordon, I am currently in my last year o graduate school for Marriage and Family Therapy at La Salle University, I’m Passionate about working with marginalized individuals to create a space that is free of stigma and judgement. I graduated from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in visual arts, and my love for creativity plays a role in how I approach therapy. I come from a systemic background, which means I focus on how relationships and family history influence who we are today. I use contextual family therapy and transgenerational family therapy to help my clients understand and navigate these influences. I believe that our clients are the captain of their ships and we’re simply navigators. Wherever you are in your journey. I am looking forward to being a part of it.
Jalani Chapman is in their final year of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at La Salle University and brings extensive experience in behavioral health, including work as a behavioral health technician, mental health services navigator, and Medical Case Manager at Penn Medicine’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinics. A Pennsylvania State University graduate with a B.A. in Anthropology and a minor in Sexuality and Gender Studies, Jalani’s focus on understanding diverse human experiences informs their relational, strengths-based, person-centered approach, using Narrative and Feminist theory. They are passionate about making therapy accessible, especially for low-income, underserved, and LGBTQ+ communities, supporting individuals through life transitions, relational challenges, and emotional well-being, while integrating evidence-based practices with cultural humility, advocacy, and a commitment to equity and client-centered growth.
My name is Shanel Coghiel, and I am a graduate student at Capella University pursuing a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as a graduate certificate in Counseling with a specialization in Addictive Behavior. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Pre-Counseling focus.
I am passionate about supporting individuals and families in improving their relationships, strengthening communication, healing from grief and trauma, and managing stress to enhance overall well-being. My therapeutic approach draws from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Bowen Family Systems Theory, allowing me to guide clients toward practical solutions while considering the influence of family dynamics across generations.
My mission is to create a safe and trustworthy space where individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. I am honored to be a part of The Black Brain Campaign’s mission to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community. My goal is to serve as both a representative and an advocate for mental health, empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful, lasting change.
Germilda Saint-Victor is a graduate-level counseling intern and mental health advocate with a strong commitment to culturally responsive and client-centered care. As a Haitian American, she brings an informed understanding of how culture, family values, and identity shape emotional wellness and help-seeking experiences. Germilda is passionate about supporting individuals and families through life transitions, emotional challenges, and personal growth while creating a safe, affirming, and collaborative therapeutic space.
Paul is a Master’s-level counseling intern committed to providing affirming, trauma-informed care to individuals, with a particular passion for serving LGBTQIA+ clients. He strives to create safe, collaborative spaces where people can explore their experiences, heal from trauma, and reconnect with their strengths. Grounded in a client-centered and empowerment-focused approach, Paul believes that healing does not happen in isolation; he deeply values the role of community and the importance of leaning on others so that no one has to carry life’s challenges alone. He works to support individuals in building self-understanding, resilience, and a greater sense of agency, while fostering connections that sustain growth beyond the therapy room.
Janeé is a proud Black woman from West Philadelphia and a third-year Marriage and Family Therapy student at La Salle University. As a Graduate Assistant for Wellness Services, she supports mental health initiatives, outreach events, and wellness programming for students. With experience at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and ArtistYear, she brings creativity, warmth, and strong connections with adolescents and young adults. Grounded in Contextual Family and Narrative therapy approaches, Janeé is passionate about helping clients navigate intergenerational challenges, rewrite their stories, and grow into their best selves.
Tamira McCurdy a Clinical Mental Health Intern currently pursuing her graduate degree at Neumann University. She is passionate about working with individuals in urban communities and is dedicated to helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Tamira’s clinical interests include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and person-centered approaches. Through her training, she is developing skills in individual counseling and supporting clients with emotional and behavioral challenges. She has experience working with adolescents and young adults navigating foster care, life transitions, and overall mental health concerns. Tamira is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and empowered. She values building strong therapeutic relationships and works collaboratively with clients to develop coping skills, increase self-awareness, and foster resilience. She is dedicated to continued professional growth and strives to make mental health services more accessible, culturally responsive, and impactful within underserved communities
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.”