Our History
In 2019, our visionary and executive producer Tanya Simmons Reid was quickly awakened to mental health trauma when one of her children had their first manic episode. After taking them to see their pediatrician, she was Instructed to go to the local crisis center which was packed with people suffering from mental health challenges sitting in recliners and in the hallways. It was unexpected, painful and eye-opening.
Although she and her husband did what they could to help their child, they felt helpless because they lacked knowledge and understanding about mental health.
The more Tanya started to share, the more she learned and realized her family was not alone. Every week, she discovered families and individuals going through mental health storms.
Through the tears and fears, she asked God, “Why us?” What was the lesson and how would we be able to help others?” The answer was SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness & Solutions Conference.
A social impact initiative of her company Skyrocket Communications, the inaugural SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness & Solutions Conference on July 15, 2021. It is held annually in July during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Leadership
Team
Tanya Simmons Reid
Visionary & Executive Producer
Tanya is the visionary and executive producer of SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness & Solutions Conference.She received her certification as a Mental Health First Aider from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in March 2022.
Tanya, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from North Carolina A&T State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast News [Communications) and currently serves as the Planning & Development Committee Chair of the New Jersey Alumni Chapter. Tanya is a board member of SeniorLAW Center, a nonprofit organization seeking justice for older people. She is also a member of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives (NANOE).
Rachel Brinkley
Resources & Volunteer Lead
Rachel is a mental health advocate who is passionate about personalized empowerment that speaks to each individual’s unique needs. Rachel earned the rank of Army Captain in November of 2021 and remains active with the Army National Guard as a Military Intelligence Officer, certified Sexual Assault and Harassment Response Victim Advocate, and Equal Opportunity Leader. In March, Rachel received her certification as a Mental Health First Aider from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Rachel’s civilian career includes 15+ years of experience in social service roles including mental health case manager, victim advocate, public health professional, and adult education.
Rachel’s passion for service is rooted in identifying solutions that transform individuals, communities, and systems. Viewing life through a lens of strategy and supportive communities, Rachel is poised to advance SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness and Solutions’ commitment to bring awareness to underserved communities
Kameron James
Sponsor Lead
Kameron loves meeting people and raising funds for causes she believes in. Mental health has a special place in her heart because of her brother’s journey with mental illness. She brings a wealth of experience in sales, digital media, content creation and brand building. Kameron is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation Media Sales Institute. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Kimberly O. Simmons LICSW, LCSW
Programming Lead
Kimberly is a School Social Worker for Guilford County Schools and a Telemental Health Therapist.
She has always had an interest in understanding mental health and this curiosity has found its way to her passion & purpose served through her work with youth, adults and families. Kimberly is a two-time graduate of Florida A&M University, having earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Social Work at this institution. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Kimberly is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia and North Carolina, as well as a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Monica Yvonne
Logistics Lead
Monica is the founder and mastermind behind Brains, Beauty, Brilliance – a movement designing freedom in everyday life! She helps individuals strategically embrace opportunities of life and freedom that Yahweh’s love brings.
Monica is transparent about her battles of mental health when she loss her father. Her experience stirred a fire to help others maneuver through mental health challenges while processing grief. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the curator of My Truth about Grief, a program designed to help all individuals process loss in a healthy way.
Conference
Family
We bring together amazing mental health professionals, advocates and those with lived experiences with one goal: to help others help others.
Here are the faces of those who have served as a SoundMinds Conference moderator, panelist, presenter, host and/or event support during our journey. Each one of them cares about our communities. We believe once you serve with us, you’re family.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
In 2008, July was designated as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month by the U.S. House of Representatives. Bebe Moore Campbell co-founded NAMI Urban Los Angeles and became a national change agent whose groundbreaking work revolutionized the way mental health in underserved communities was approached. She struggled to support her daughter who battled with mental illness and a system that prevented her daughter from getting help and support.
According to NAMI, Bebe Moore Campbell was committed to creating safe spaces for people in communities of color to connect with others who share similar experiences and cultural backgrounds. These safe spaces served as a gateway to vital mental health resources and support networks.
While everyone – all colors – everyone is affected by stigma – no one wants to say ‘I’m not in control of my mind.’ No one wants to say, ‘The person I love is not in control of [their] mind.’
But people of color really don’t want to say it because we already feel stigmatized by virtue of skin color or eye shape or accent and we don’t want any more reasons for anyone to say, ‘You’re not good enough.’
~ Bebe Moore Campbell