Redefine Strong: Black Women's Mental Health Conference

Brielle Bryant-Erales was born and raised in Los Angeles, and she defeated financial odds. Despite earning less than $60,000, she successfully paid off $55,000 in debt in just 3.5 years. Brielle’s path demonstrates that financial freedom is attainable for anyone. Based on her personal experience, she decided to launch her own financial coaching business to assist women in reaching their full potential by transforming their financial lives through practical tactics and mindset shifts. She also offers her skills to universities, non-profits, and organizations such as Tuskegee University, Bryant University, The HBCU Career Center, LinkedIn, and Pearson, providing financial literacy workshops. She addresses a variety of topics, including money mindset, budgeting, debt elimination, credit, emergency cash, introduction to investing, entrepreneurship, and more.

Dr. Scune Carrington DHSc, MSW, LICSW is a strategic public health practitioner, social worker, and entrepreneur who has over 15 years of experience encompassing both clinical and administrative roles. Dr. Scune is the Chief Clinical Officer and Wellness Clinic Director at the New American Association of Massachusetts. She is passionate about innovation that can revolutionize care delivery for minoritized, complex, and underserved populations, while also using technology to advance health equity and drive more efficiently, focusing on trauma-informed and patient-centered care. Dr. Carrington is currently licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Maine. Dr. Carrington holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an MSW from Boston College, and was the 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Carrington earned her doctoral degree in health sciences with Alpha Eta academic honors from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where her capstone research was selected as the winner of the 2024 Doctor of Health Science Capstone Award.

Hailing from central Brooklyn, Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke feels honored to represent the community that raised her. She is the proud daughter of Jamaican immigrants. She takes her passion for her Caribbean heritage to Congress, where she co-chairs the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and works to foster relationships between the United States and the Caribbean Community. Clarke is a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Clarke has been a member of the Congressional Black Caucus since coming to Congress in 2007 and today serves as its Chair.

As the Representative of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, Congresswoman Clarke has dedicated herself to continuing the legacy of excellence established by the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman and Caribbean American elected to Congress. In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman Clarke introduced landmark legislation to advance the priorities closest to her heart and at the top of her constituent’s minds. She has led critical legislation to support the health of women, including the Menopause Research Equity Act, the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid and Education Act, and the Uterine Cancer Study Act. As a trailblazing leader guiding Congressional efforts to enact meaningful policy in the Age of AI, she also introduced first-of-its-kind legislation to stop the spread of malicious deepfakes with her DEEPFAKES Accountability Act and increase transparency surrounding political AI-generated advertisements with her REAL Political Ads Act. She has consistently stood against the rising tide of mis- and disinformation in traditional and new media spaces, and she is committed to ensuring Americans across the nation not only have access to the information they need but that they can trust it is accurate.

Clarke is a leader in the tech and media policy space as co-chair of the Smart Cities Caucus and co-chair of the Multicultural Media Caucus. She believes smart technology will make communities more sustainable, resilient, and livable and works hard to ensure communities of color are not left behind while these technological advancements are made. Clarke formed the Multicultural Media Caucus to address diversity and inclusion issues in the media, telecom, and tech industries. As a driving force in Congress to preserve and expand the Affordable Connectivity Program, a vital initiative that provides reliable and affordable broadband to Americans across the country, Congresswoman Clarke understands that internet access is essential in a modern nation and will bridge the digital divide.

She is also one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, which develops programs to support the aspirations of Black women of all ages. Congresswoman Clarke is also the co-chair of the Medicare for All Caucus, where she fights for the right to universal health care.

Before being elected to the United States House of Representatives, Congresswoman Clarke served on New York’s City Council, representing the 40th District. She succeeded her pioneering mother, former City Council Member Dr. Una S. T. Clarke, making them the first mother-daughter succession in the City Council’s history. She cosponsored City Council resolutions that opposed the war in Iraq, criticized the federal USA PATRIOT Act, and called for a national moratorium on the death penalty.

Congresswoman Clarke is a graduate of Oberlin College and was a recipient of the prestigious APPAM/Sloan Fellowship in Public Policy and Policy Analysis. She received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa from the University of Technology, Jamaica, and the Honorary Doctorate of Public Policy from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Congresswoman Clarke currently resides in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where she grew up. She is a proud active member of the Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Deputy Borough President, Reverend, and fierce community advocate are all words you can use to describe Kim Council. All her life, Rev. Kim Council has dedicated her career to the communities and people of Brooklyn, focused on finding ways to better lives and strengthen opportunities for all. As Deputy Borough President, she carries this work out on a borough-wide scale, working with faith-based and community leaders to find solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing our borough, from housing to food insecurity.

Tabatha, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been passionate about supporting and guiding young people since she worked as a youth counselor in an after-school program in her teen years. As a role model, Tabatha helped the youth with their struggles while acting as a possibility model of hope and success. 

Noticing the lack of interactive wellness spaces for youth to learn about their emotions and ways to cope with stressors in their life, Tabatha decided to address this need. In 2020, Tabatha created the 4AIR Project where the mission is to curate mental health and wellness spaces for youth to feel seen, heard and valued on their wellness journeys. 

Tabatha received a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology from Albertus Magnus College and a Master's in Social Work from Fordham University. 

Elyse Fox is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, writer, and founder of the nonprofit Sad Girls Club. Sad Girls Club was created to provide access, resources, and community within the mental wellness space to Black women and the BIPOC community.

For nearly a decade, Elyse has offered thought leadership through collaboration with brands and organizations including L’Oréal, The US Intelligence Community, Harvard and Columbia University, Nike, and Google. In 2024, she launched Teen Vogue’s first dedicated mental health column, Soft Launch. She enjoys documenting stories through film, gardening, and spending time with her 5-year-old son, Basel.

Chelsea Glover-Jordan is a Prince George’s County, Maryland native. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist in Maryland and Washington D.C. Chelsea has earned 2 bachelor’s degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; one in Psychology and the other in Criminal Justice. She earned a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She has been trained in DBT, CBT, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and family and relationship counseling. 

Her specializations are postpartum depression, anxiety, and women's issues. Chelsea is a wife and a proud mother of a 14-year-old boy. She is the author of 2 literary works. One is a memoir that focuses on her maternal journey and the other is a guided journal that encourages others to do the same. She is the CEO of 3 Roads, a group psychotherapy private practice that highlights the deconstruction of the black woman’s plight.

Clementina Jose is a dedicated advocate for mental health, wellness, and creating safe spaces for diverse communities. As a licensed master social worker and program manager in higher education, Clementina leads efforts to ensure all individuals have access to the resources they need to thrive, with a special focus on underserved populations. Beyond her day-to-day role, Clementina is an engaging speaker, writer, and SEL consultant, dedicated to transforming school-based mental health systems and promoting supportive environments.

Keylynne is a transformative mental health leader dedicated to advancing equity, healing, and liberation for marginalized communities. With expertise in decolonized wellness, health equity, and diversity and inclusion, she designs and implements strategies that foster systemic change and create meaningful access to resources. Keylynne’s work is rooted in trauma-informed care and equity-centered practices, empowering individuals and organizations to overcome barriers and thrive. Through impactful grant writing and program leadership, she has secured critical funding to support sustainable, community-driven initiatives. Guided by a belief in collective healing and the power of resilience, Keylynne is committed to fostering liberation and driving forward mental health as an act of resistance and transformation.

Krystal Miller is a clinical social worker and a spiritual herbalist who centers her practice on the balance of science and spirit while curating experiences for exploration within the community and our inner world. Through her practice, Melanated Masks, she focuses on reconnecting us with our mind, body, soul, and the core of our culture. This holistic healing practice includes movement through therapeutic yoga, integrative nutrition, connection to herbal allies, and rebuilding the intuition that has always been within us for generations from our ancestors while embodying the energy of an old friend on the stoop. Walking in the spirit of "I am because We are," she provides 1:1 service as well as intimate community conversations around holistic mental wellness and herbalism. Join her at the intersection of science and spirit, where the true magic lives.

Dominique Phinn is a dedicated professional committed to advocating for the well-being of individuals and families, particularly within marginalized communities. Currently serving as a School-Based Support Team Social Worker for the NYC Public Schools, she specializes in supporting students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and ensuring they receive the necessary resources for academic success. Before her current role, Dominique spent six years at the Administration for Children Services, where she served as a Clinical Consultant. In this capacity, Dominique led a team in the Clinical Consultation Program, providing vital support to families facing challenges related to mental health, domestic violence, and substance use. Passionate about addressing disparities in Black maternal health, Dominique is also a doula in training. She seeks to become a voice for Black women during childbirth, advocating for culturally competent care and support throughout the perinatal period. In addition to her professional endeavors, Dominique is a third-year doctoral student pursuing a doctorate in social work (DSW) at Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Dominique’s research focuses on Black Maternal Health and Mortality during Childbirth, as well as suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Through her academic pursuits, teaching, and practical experience, she is committed to driving positive change and promoting equity in healthcare and social services.

Crystal Rose is a dedicated advocate, author, and professional with over a decade of experience in Workforce Development and Community Engagement. She currently serves as the Government Affairs Administrator at The Business Council of New York State, where she supports legislative advocacy and policy initiatives that impact businesses and communities across the state.

Previously, Crystal was the Family Workforce Development Coordinator at Families Together in NYS, where she played a pivotal role in training and supporting Family Peer Advocates statewide. Her work in mental health advocacy includes serving as a speaker and facilitator, using her lived experience to drive conversations on family support, equity, and systemic change.

Crystal’s background also includes maternal-child health advocacy, having served at the Brooklyn Perinatal Network and Wyckoff Hospital as a certified Community Health Worker. She has helped families navigate complex service systems and holds certifications in breastfeeding counseling and the Circle of Security Parenting curriculum. In the private sector, she has led relationship management and client retention strategies for major brands like Carol’s Daughter and Nespresso USA, driving measurable business growth.

As a Black woman in the workforce, Crystal brings a critical lens to her advocacy, ensuring that policies and programs support diverse communities. She is passionate about mental health, family empowerment, and economic opportunity, and she continues to use her voice to uplift others—not only through policy and community work but also through storytelling.

An author and poet, Crystal’s book Beauty Burns Brains is an inspirational journey through healing, encouraging women to find strength and peace in life’s most difficult moments. Through her writing, she empowers women to embrace their stories, redefine resilience, and reclaim their power.

A proud New Yorker, Crystal lives with her preteen son and enjoys baking, traveling, and writing. Beauty Burns Brains is available on Amazon and Walmart.

Danielle St. Arromand, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping women navigate all women’s health and mental health concerns. Danielle is committed to providing a safe space for women experiencing a range of reproductive concerns with a special interest in women suffering from PCOS as she also identifies as a woman of color living with PCOS. Danielle has a strong mission to improve inclusivity in navigating reproductive health and fertility challenges, especially within the BIPOC communities while further exploring mental health diagnoses. Danielle enjoys running support groups and giving back to the community through a group called She Wellness ( an organization committed to building a stronger community). Danielle received her Master of Social Work from Lehman College and her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. Danielle is a passionate mental health professional with experience building therapeutic relationships to facilitate growth. She is eager to utilize her skills to foster change on a larger scale within the community.

Hannah is the Director of Programs at The Loveland Foundation. She oversees its core program, the Loveland Therapy Fund which provides financial support for Black women and non-binary individuals in the United States to attend Therapy. Hannah also leads the development of new programs and strategic partnerships for the organization.

Hannah is also the Founder and CEO of Grow Tall, a boutique consultancy focused on strengthening programs, people, and partnerships alongside organizations. Grow Tall serves organizations that are committed to measurable progress in their social impact initiatives . Hannah served more than 12 years in the nonprofit sector, spearheading growth for organizations including College Summit, the Institute of International Education, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Pace University, STOKED Mentoring, and City Year. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pace University and served as a J. William Fulbright Scholar in Bogotá, Colombia.

Now based in Los Angeles, Hannah’s journey started in Brooklyn, where she learned how to build relationships rooted in community and care from her entrepreneurial parents. Her hometown continues to fuel her personal why: providing under-resourced communities with access to high-quality education, career development tools, socio-emotional resources, and social capital to help them thrive.

Outside the professional sphere, Hannah is a lover of travel, food, and DIY projects. She’s currently pursuing a new passion — podcasting — drawing on her past life as a DJ and radio show host.

Through her work, Hannah aims far beyond simply hitting targets; for her, it’s about the stories, the lives changed, and the communities uplifted. It’s about creating a world where access and opportunity are not just ideals but realities for all.

Toni is an organized, focused, and charismatic storyteller, strategist, and social worker with over 15 years of experience in narrative shift work, program development, youth work & direct service, public speaking, leadership, and cultural criticism. Toni specializes in race, gender, and body politics, with a strong focus on social, racial, and equity justice for Black girls, young women of color, and gender-expansive people. Toni is adept and trained in social work, positive youth development, social media management, writing, communications strategy, community organizing, technical assistance, DEI facilitation, and philanthropy. Toni is eager to leverage extensive expertise in the social work and communications field to boost organizational notoriety, and funding, and build social platforms, brands, and journalistic projects.

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.

NYU 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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0126.

NYU 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 psychoanalysts #P-0066.