Redefine Strong: Black Women's Mental Health Conference

Fanteema Barnes has been a social worker for over 20 years. She is of Costa Rican and Jamaican descent and was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She lived in NJ for over 10 years. Last summer, she left her full-time job as a college therapist to dive into her private practice full-time and relocate to NC with the goal of opening a Wellness Center for Women of Color. Fanteema’s company, The SWEET Network, LLC (Supporting Women to Empower and Enhance Themselves) was created in 2013. She has been providing telehealth since 2015. She was a solo practitioner until 2019 when she hired her first therapist. Now, she has a thriving group telehealth practice. The company specializes in women of color and The Queer community around trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. They provide individual and couples therapy and work with ages 11 and up. 

Tacha Fletcher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Certified Holistic Life Coach. With over 10 years in the mental health field, Tacha founded Wellness Tree Counseling Services, LLC–mental health and wellness practice–to continue providing holistic mental health and wellness services to culturally diverse communities. Tacha is a specialist and expert in attachment related trauma, depression, mindfulness, and wellness strategies. As a recognized and seasoned Mental Health Professional & Certified Holistic Life Coach, Tacha has presented at several professional conferences and universities. Tacha has also been featured in Voyage L.A., PsychCentral, Living Fulfilled Podcast, Beautiful Brown Girls’ TV, Pollen Magazine, and We Buy Black.

Tracyavon Ford, LCSW-R is a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Mindfulness Instructor, and owner of T. Ford LCSW Consulting Services PLLC, a private practice that provides a variety of holistic mental health and wellness services including, consultation, clinical supervision, and training. Tracyavon attended Adelphi University where she received her bachelor’s in Psychology and master’s degree in Social Work. She is also certified as an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP), Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP) Certification, Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist (C-DBT), Certified Specialist in Anger Management (CSAM). 

In addition to her private practice, she has worked in public education for over 24 years and is adjunct faculty at several local colleges and universities. As a Nationally Certified Mental Health First Aid instructor (National Council for Mental Wellbeing), to date, she has certified over 500 people in Mental Health First Aid. She has received a host of awards for her community mental health advocacy and education including citations from the Bronx Borough President and Brooklyn Borough President in the City of New York. Tracyavon specializes in providing Compassion Fatigue educational training for mental health professionals.  She is also the creator and host of "The Positive Professional Podcast" and the Positive Professional Wellness blog.  Her passion is to empower Black women by using trauma-informed mindfulness practices that guide reflection, release and promotes resiliency, which is exemplified in all service offering through T Ford LCSW Consulting Services PLLC.

Jalonta Jackson-Glasco is Program Director for the online MSW Program at Utica University. Jalonta has over eight years of expert proficiency in managing CSWE classroom instruction/ management, field education, and adhering to CSWE accreditation standards.   She also has over eight years of practice experience as an adult probation officer and substance abuse counselor. Jalonta was previously the Director of Social Work Graduate Studies at Troy University, where she also taught courses in areas such as Ethics, Cultural Diversity, and Direct Practice Methods with Individuals and Families. Her research areas include Criminal Justice Policies, Women & Gender Studies, and Racial Disparities. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration and Public Policy from Auburn University, with her dissertation titled: Menstrual Equity in State Prisons: A Comparative Analysis of State Legislation.

A recognized psychotherapist in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, this author and behavior scientist is a champion of mental health and wellness. Dr. Jones oversees a flagship Federal Occupational Health and Work/life balance program where she has become a standout corporate cultural transformation advisor and advocate for wellness in the workplace via Employee Assistance Programming. Dr. Jones is also a celebrated private practitioner for families and couples, hosting relationship restoration retreats and family rebuilding symposiums. In 2020 she launched ClinicianFest -- a collaborative platform for mental health and wellness practitioners and allies to come together to bring about transformative change in how we treat and embrace mental health care globally. Most recently Dr. Jones has added the title of farmer to her credentials, purchasing over 88 acres of farmland to build a wellness retreat with the specific intent of exposing health, understanding, care, and restoration to all.  Dr. Jones best describes herself as a builder, building bridges of communication, peace, and understanding through her out of the box supportive approach, while also understanding the emotional and psychological backdrop within the field.

Dr. Crystal McLeod is an executive leadership consultant and trainer. She develops mental wellness programs and policies to improve the overall well-being of employees for leaders and managers in the government, clinical and small business arena.

Dr. McLeod is a 14-year veteran of the United States Air Force, who served as a clinical social worker.  As a dedicated social worker, she is passionate about her profession and helping clients see beyond the limits of their circumstances by providing the tools necessary to cultivate a healthier way of life. McLeod's leadership and gained expertise are the foundation of her highly coveted practices in clinical training and mental health therapy. 

Her dedication to excellence and service has garnered a Social Work of the Year for South Dakota’s National Association of Social Workers, a first feature in Forbes Women’s Magazine, nine individual Air Force awards for outstanding performance and four annual team awards.  McLeod's accolades showcase her keen understanding of developing thriving cohesive teams, implementing effective process improvements, and providing quality service capabilities.

Dr. LaSeanda Nicholson DSW, LCSW, M.A. is the Director of Clinical Services for an Inpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Center serving patients with addiction and mental health needs located in Brooklyn, N.Y.  LaSeanda served as the Director of Manhattan Court Operations and Pretrial Services at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), a non-profit organization at the intersection of criminal justice reform and behavioral health services. In 2018-2020, LaSeanda served as a key social policy and justice reform stakeholder for the implementation of historic New York State legislation on Monetary Bail Reform funded through Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice as one of the behavioral health program design contributors.

With more than 15 years working across the diagnostic spectrum, Dr. Nicholson is experienced in nonprofit and organizational leadership, clinical practice and supervision, strategic planning, and program evaluation. She’s managed contracts and lead departments within residential treatment settings, government/military, out-patient mental health and community-based programs. Dr. Nicholson is a coach and consultant, and especially, enjoys working with students as a social work field instructor. 

Dr. Nicholson received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Masters in Applied Behavioral Science from Wright State University. She later developed interest in understanding the correlation between behavioral health and substance use disorders where she pursued educational training as a New York State Substance and Alcohol Abuse Counselor. In 2012, she completed her second graduate degree in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Practice and completed her Doctor of Social Work in Advance Clinical Practice - Social Innovation from the University of California in 2020. LaSeanda is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, The Network for Social Work Management, and a member of the N.A.A.C.P. In 2015, she served as a member of the Social Work Field Placement Committee at Texas A&M University- Central Texas. In 2016, she received an award of service from the Texas Pretrial Association for her role in the Texas Problem Solving Courts. In 2020 Dr. Nicholson was a panelist for NYC Monetary Bail Reform Community;A conference hosted by the NYC Office of Public Advocate. In 2021, Dr. Nicholson was featured for her work in the Source Hip-Hop Magazine highlighting Social Work contributions to the advancement of mental health and social policy.

In 2010, Dr. Nicholson earned her commission in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Service Corps as a Second Lieutenant. Her various roles include Health Care and Behavioral Health Administrator, Medical Logistics and Suicide Prevention Officer and completed her time in service with the rank of Captain. Dr. Nicholson’s research interests include criminal justice reform, behavioral health, social determinants of health in communities of color and the impact of racial microaggressions and Race-based Trauma on African American mental health, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within workplace and the intersectionality of gender, race and psychosocial outcomes.

When it comes to energizing, empowering and educating women professionals and entrepreneurs on their journey to wellness, no one does it better than Fabiola Paul, LCSW. Known as the Go-To Wellness Strategist, Fabiola has helped countless women live a life of abundance by facilitating workshops and trainings that focus on burnout prevention and self-care.

A gifted therapist and dynamic communicator with more than a decade of experience as a clinical social worker, Fabiola is a master at delivering important insights that resonate with target audience groups.

As CEO of Enlightening Counseling & Educational Services, she has cultivated a holistic, compassionate approach to healing from trauma and burnout that anchors her coaching and training sessions. In her practice, she leads her clients through a mindset shift that enables them to become more self-aware,establish better boundaries, achieve overall balance, and enjoy greater happiness in their daily lives.

Dr. La Shawn M. Paul, DSW, LCSW-R is the founder and lead clinician of Social Work Diva, an online provider of therapy, clinical supervision, and mental health consulting, and the creator of the Black Women’s Mental Health Conference. She is a New York State licensed clinical social worker and recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as an accredited social worker. Dr. Paul has a B.A. in Social Work and Political Science from Herbert H. Lehman College (City University of New York) and her M.S. from Columbia University in Social Work with a clinical specialization in School-Based, School-Linked Services. Her Doctorate in Social Work is from the University of Southern California with a focus on social innovation and change.

In her senior year of high school, La Shawn lost a friend to suicide. At that moment, she decided to pursue Social Work so that she could help women of all ages see their value and strength in times of turmoil and uncertainty. As a mother of three boys, wife, and clinician, she understands the various challenges that modern women face as they juggle a multitude of roles and expectations, while simultaneously attempting to excel as their authentic selves. She is a firm believer that self-care is essential to holistic wellness and motivates her clients to practice self-care routinely to achieve work-life balance.

Dr. Paul has provided consulting for an array of public and private healthcare and academic institutions in the NYC metropolitan area and remote locations throughout the United States. La Shawn currently holds multiple part-time faculty appointments. She is an Ambassador for the National Association on Mental Illness-NYC Metro Chapter, NAMI-NYS Multicultural Committee member and For(bes) for the Culture member, where she advocates for improved funding and services for people living with mental illness and their families. Through Social Work Diva, she centers her mental health advocacy on eliminating mental health disparities in Black Women’s mental health by encouraging increased access and awareness. She also collaborates with local politicians to shape and create mental health policy and initiatives to eliminate mental illness stigma and encourage support for mental health funding, particularly within communities of color.

Throughout her academic and professional career, La Shawn has received a multitude of awards and honors including a NYS Proclamation from both the NYS Assembly and NYS Senate and the Emerging Leadership Award from the National Association of Social Workers- NYC Chapter. Her work in mental health has landed her on the HuffPost's list of "10 Black Female Therapists to Know" and has been featured on various media outlets including Buzzfeed, Bustle, Fox5, Hot97, and USA Today. La Shawn is a catalyst of change and Social Work Diva is her vision realized. To find out more about Dr. Paul’s work and join her efforts, visit SocialWorkDiva.com

Valerie is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 9 years of Nursing experience working with individuals across the lifespan. Valerie was born and raised in Long Island and of Haitian American background. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Informatics from Stony Brook University in 2012. Valerie  then went on to Long Island University Brooklyn campus to complete her Bachelors Degree in Nursing. After working in bedside services for several years,  Valerie decided to continue her education and completed her Masters In Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatry at Hunter College in 2020. 

Valerie started her nursing career in mental health and fell in love with it. She realized there was an overwhelming need for representation and access to Mental Health services for people. Valerie’s goal with her platform and social media presence are to normalize mental health in communities of color. 

Currently, Valerie works in private practice with a primary focus on treating depression, mood disorders, anxiety, and ADHD. 

Renee Smith-Maddox, PhD has built a formidable career with several non-profits and higher education institutions. She is an equity-minded practitioner, strategist, anti-trafficking advocate, and champion of empowerment initiatives for women and girls. As a venture catalyst, she is committed to working with visionary leaders developing social impact initiatives that advance equity and social justice. Dr. Smith-Maddox has a passion for creating organizational change and facilitating transformational leadership.

She is currently a teaching professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work (SDPSSW). For over ten years, she has taught graduate level courses in the MSW and DSW programs on topics such as design thinking, social change and innovation, organizational development, and also serves as an advisor for Capstone Projects and dissertations.

Dr. Smith-Maddox’s extensive knowledge in designing and managing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is informed by her experience as an education analyst in the NYC Board of Education, an executive director for youth development and college access programs, and a teacher researcher with inquiry-based research projects in K-12 schools.

Dr. Smith-Maddox served as the inaugural Associate Dean for DEI at the SDPSSW. In this capacity, she provided the leadership for conducting the school’s climate study and developing a DEI strategic plan relevant to the mission and vision of the school. For five years, Dr. Smith-Maddox co-chaired USC’s DEI Awareness Week, an annual professional learning event that provided 100 sessions focusing on a range of DEI-related training sessions for students, staff, faculty, and alumni. She has chaired the USC Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and led the DEI strategic planning process for 23 academic units.

She holds a PhD in Social Policy and Master’s degree in the Management of Human Services from Brandeis University, Heller School of Social Policy and Management. She earned her BA degree in psychology at Lincoln University (in PA).

Dr. Wendy Thelese Talley is a Corporate Wellness Expert and has worked in the mental health field for 22 years in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Talley has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from San Diego State University, and a Masters and Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Dr. Talley is the Founder and CEO of Thelese Consulting Group, LLC, a corporate group practice providing mental health treatment.  She has worked with  former First Lady Michelle Obama housing homeless veteran families.  She has appeared on numerous podcasts with Tavis Smiley, 49ner's journalist Greg Cohen to name a few. Dr. Talley is the Onsite Counselor for SONY Pictures Entertainment and the FDIC, where she provides EAP services, staff development workshops, and leadership consulting. As a Corporate Wellness Consultant, she can be found speaking, coaching, and mentoring entrepreneurs to develop effective SMART Goals and SMART Time Management skills to achieve the success they so desire. She is the author of SMART Goal-... Time Management Workbook and My Healing Journal which can be found on Amazon.

Cassandra (Cassie) Walker, LCSW, CCTP is a Black Queer Social Worker, Trauma Therapist, Writer, Gamer, and Activist. The are the owner of their practice, Intersections Center for Complex Healing, PLLC, a clinical program manager for Take This, and a member of the clinical oversight committee for Hope for The Day. Cassie holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Comparative Human Development. They are a liberatory and decolonial healer and are a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 3 NARM Trained, a Certified NARM Therapist and are Certified in Hypnotherapy and NLP. Cassie presents on a diverse array of intersectional topics related to race, gender, sexuality, relationships, gaming, mental wellness, trauma, workplace culture, and social justice. Cassie provides therapy to adults, relationships and groups. They specialize in the intersections of trauma, identity, and mental wellness. Their podcast Woke Mental Wellness uses tabletop role playing games to provide discussion about mental wellness to Black LGBTQIA+ people and those interested in helping Black Queer communities.

New York University Silver School of Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers {#SW-0012}.

New York University Silver School of Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors {#MHC-0083}.

For Mental Health Practitioners: Please check with your state, if you are not licensed in New York, to determine if these credits will be accepted for licensing renewal.