Minds Matter Houston is part of BGHF’s Minds Matter Mental Health Campaign, which is a national campaign that includes digital and traditional grassroots awareness spearheaded by our BGHF College Ambassador Program. The campaign includes a series of mental health related workshops at community libraries in various cities in the country. Minds Matter Workshop Series has already taken place virtually and in-person in Harrisburg, PA and St. Louis, MO. BGHF will continue the workshop campaign series with Minds Matter Houston March 26th 2021. Due to the impact of COVID-19 this campaign will be entirely digital. The campaign includes the 1-day virtual event with a series of mental health related virtual workshops, and the execution of a targeted social media strategy to educate African American women on mental health.
This is a floating event schedule section you can check the details about time duration, speaker, venue & more.
The live event kicks off with opening remarks from the Black Girl Health Foundation Executive Director Porcha Johnson.
A yoga session that focuses on healing naturally through an interactive exercise. Apart from the actual yoga instructional session, we will also share critical information about Yoga and its benefits, to include resources such as: https:// newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/11/yoga-health and https://medlineplus.gov/ency/ patientinstructions/000876.htm
This workshop discusses common issues that negatively impact prenatal mental health and highlights ways to maintain positive mental health through infertility struggles.
A workshop on how money management, investing and savings impact mental health in a positive manner. We will also share tips for beginners.
As fitness session that focuses on using body movement to reduce stress and improve strength and flexibility. We will also share critical information about the benefits of using fitness to improve mental health.
An interactive workshop that uses full body exercise to push through mental health struggles and stress and build and tone muscles.
This workshop discusses the positive impact of pregnancy massage on mental, emotional and physical health.
Porcha Johnson has 13 years of television media experience and 6 years of health advocacy experience. She is a health advocate whose strength is in motivating women to live healthier lifestyles. Her strong background in television news has helped her connect with women and girls all around the country through Black Girl Health.
Sasha Sumling has been a Texas Licensed Massage Therapist exclusively working in Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum and Infant Massage for the past 12 years. Sumling has extensive experience throughout the Houston Doula Community working with physicians in the local area over the twelve years. She was born and raised in Austin, then moved to Houston in 2001 where she raised her three children with her husband of 20 years. In addition to her massage therapy training, she is also a Certified Special Delivery Medical Doula, a Madriella Certified Postpartum Doula, a Lactation Consultant, a Mind- Body Wellness Practitioner specializing in Holistic Nutrition and Hypnotherapy and an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor. She also holds professional memberships with The American Massage Therapy Association, DONA International, The National Black Doula Association and Postpartum Support International. Sumling is the founder of Massagemomma, a pregnancy massage and doula care service where she provides in-office and outcall work for her clients. In Sasha’s words: I believe the power of touch is deeply healing and my ultimate goal with clients is to promote inner peace, healing, and to empower women and children to overcome challenging circumstances. My youngest daughter has a rare autoimmune condition, so I know the struggles and joys of mothering amidst challenges.
Chanae' is a mother of two and a native of Breaux Bridge,LA. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from Louisiana State University in 2009. She then went on to obtain her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota in 2012. She is an active member in her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., a part of her children's PTA at school and also enjoys teaching dance in her spare time. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Public Health. Being a former at-risk youth, she has been dedicated to the betterment of the community since 2000. Chanae' has 10 years occupational therapy experience in school systems, outpatient rehabilitation, abuse/mental health populations, pediatric home health, adult home health, and community programs. As owner of Dreamcatchers Therapy and Wellness Services for the past 7 years she has been dedicated to serving the community and children with special needs.She plans to continue to be a resource in the community and aid with the betterment of the community for many years to come.
Robin Donatta Mouton is a lifelong resident of Beaumont, Texas and a 1978 graduate of Hebert High School. Robin enjoyed a successful career as a sales executive for AT & T and retired after 32 years of dedicated service in 2010. Robin is a member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Union where she previously served in leadership roles for many of the union programs. Robin’s passion for neighborhood and community progress has been displayed through her lifelong commitment to volunteerism while serving at neighborhood schools, churches, and local foundations. Robin is a faithful member of the Paradise Baptist Church where she serves in various capacities.
Cordella Lyon is a Registered Nurse and Program Coordinator of Preventative Screening at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas. Ms. Lyon received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica NY, and her BS in Health Care Administration from New England College. She has her MA in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the University of Arizona, and is graduate Fellow from the Harvard Public Health Review Fellowship, currently Boston Congress of Public Health. During her term as chairperson of the Tri County Center for Elimination of Disproportionalities and Disparities, Ms. Lyon has initiated meaningful change to build a cross systems approach to patient care, and is an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare delivery. She is a Regional Co-Chair for the Texas HIV Syndicate, and member of the Steering Committee to End the HIV Epidemic in Texas. She is an active member in the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (Gulf Coast Chapter), and Golden Triangle Emergency Nurses Association. She is an avid sports fan, and enjoys food and travel.
Caren Cooper, Ed.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist and an EMDR trained therapist. She is a Mental Health Counselor at Texas Southern University where she provides comprehensive mental health counseling services to students. Services include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, and clinical training for master’s level students. Aside from college mental health counseling, Dr. Cooper is the owner of her private practice, Cooper Counseling and Wellness. Her clinical focus includes maternal mental health of African American moms and women of color, trauma recovery, women’s issues and life transitions. She also assists clients seeking services for depression, anxiety, grief, anger/stress management, work/life balance and overall mental wellness. Dr. Cooper’s passion resides in educating minority communities on the importance of mental health, enhancing and empowering the mental wellness of women as they transition into motherhood and assisting survivors of trauma through processing their traumatic experience. After being in the mental health field for over a decade, Dr. Cooper has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, college students, moms, moms-to-be, and parents. Outside of mental health, Dr. Cooper is also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Health and Wellness coach and will be launching a new venture focusing on holistic health in minority communities.
Caren Cooper, Ed.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist and an EMDR trained therapist. She is a Mental Health Counselor at Texas Southern University where she provides comprehensive mental health counseling services to students. Services include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, and clinical training for master’s level students. Aside from college mental health counseling, Dr. Cooper is the owner of her private practice, Cooper Counseling and Wellness. Her clinical focus includes maternal mental health of African American moms and women of color, trauma recovery, women’s issues and life transitions. She also assists clients seeking services for depression, anxiety, grief, anger/stress management, work/life balance and overall mental wellness. Dr. Cooper’s passion resides in educating minority communities on the importance of mental health, enhancing and empowering the mental wellness of women as they transition into motherhood and assisting survivors of trauma through processing their traumatic experience. After being in the mental health field for over a decade, Dr. Cooper has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, college students, moms, moms-to-be, and parents. Outside of mental health, Dr. Cooper is also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Health and Wellness coach and will be launching a new venture focusing on holistic health in minority communities.
Albert “AJ” Tuner is a lifelong native of Beaumont, Texas. Married to Ashley Turner, devoted father of four beautiful daughters, Albert is extremely passionate about the Beaumont community. AJ received the 40 under 40 Award from the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce in 2016, and was honored with the Award of Prestige for Outstanding Leadership in the Southeast Texas community by ExxonMobil in 2017. In 2019 for the month of August Albert was named Southeast Texas Businessman of the month. Also in 2019, Albert served on The Sheriff’s Review Board, Naacp Executive Board, Aeronautics Sustainability Institute Executive Board, and Tan Healthcare Board. In 2020 Albert received the Martin Luther King Man of the Year Award. In 2021 Albert was named the NAUW Martin Luther King Humanitarian Recipient. In 2021 Albert was named one of SOC’s Difference Maker’s of the Year. Albert was also named one of the Rising Stars to watch by the distinguished 100 Black Women Coalition.
Juli McShay is the NAACP Houston Branch 2nd Vice President and Community Coordination Chair. She is also an educator, an advocate, an entrepreneur and community advocate. Education is the key to her heart. She is a graduate of America’s flagship boarding school, The Piney Woods Country Life School located in Mississippi. Additionally, she has completed three collegiate degrees’ each of which were conferred by Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Talladega College, BA; The Barbara Jordan & Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern, MPA; and Miles Law School, JD. McShay has a great affinity for service. Her attentiveness and dedication to service developed during her childhood as her mother would regularly bring the her to various civic, social and political events. These experiences coupled with her education have shaped her career and entrepreneurial interests and expertise in planning, government and community service. Since her youth, she has continued to use her successes and opportunities as a vehicle to help elevate others. McShay is an experienced educator and public administrator. She has taught across America in both secondary and undergraduate studies. McShay has worked in county and municipal government organizations in both Florida and Alabama respectively. Currently, McShay is a full-time Professor at San Jacinto College, where she teaches government. Much of her service is birthed through her faith and her students. She often serves as a panelist, moderator or guest speaker for community and student organizations, speaking on various including, planning, politics and education. In the spring of 2018she was recognized and honored by Congressional members, Mayor Turner of Houston and other elected officials for her community service in the Houston community. She is a member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church where she serves in multiple ministries including, CEO ministry, WOW and the Cultural Awareness Ministry. Additionally, she is a member of the Psi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Houston Branch of the NAACP, as well as the Houston League of Business and Professional Women, Incorporated.
Sherrell is the creator of MindBody FAITH. An approach to wellness that bridges the gap between science and faith while exploring holistic tools and techniques for health and healing. One of those tools is Faith & Flow Yoga®. A yoga practice that teaches people how to use their faith, body, and breath to raise their level of consciousness, reconnect with God, and themselves on a deeper mental, spiritual, and physical level. She also created Sisters Who Meditate® as an international movement designed to educate and support women who want to cultivate a spiritual practice and discipline utilizing Christian meditation and prayer to deepen their relationship with God. She is registered with the National Yoga Alliance and Holy Yoga. Her specialties, background, and studies include Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa flow-style yoga, Yin yoga, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Restorative Yoga for Race Based Traumatic Stress Injury, Holy Yoga, Mindfulness and Christian meditation. She is also CPR certified, Mental Health First Aid certified, and certified in natural and holistic health through Trinity School of Natural Health.
Founder | Black Girl Health Foundation, Inc.
Black Girl Health Foundation, Inc is a non-profit 501c3 that creates pathways to improve the health of black women and girls through education, engagement, and empowerment.
The foundation connects with women of color through its College Ambassador Program implemented at educational institutions and communities in the northeastern region. The program helps students and women in the surrounding communities adopt healthier behaviors through through nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention education.
The non-profit furthers its health impact on women and girls of color by partnering with Black Girl Health, LLC for is annual National Kickstart Health & Wellness Program; which includes an entire day of interactive workshops by renown health experts, doctors, health screenings, and fitness trainers to motivate women to take control of their health and give them resources to make informed decisions.
Funded under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012345 with the University of North Texas Health Science Center – Gibson D. Lewis Library, and awarded by the DHHS, NIH, National Library of Medicine.