By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
Giving each other grace to speak their truth, an intergenerational panel gathered in the spirit of “solidarity and empowerment” to discuss their individual and collective experiences.
Women’s mental well-being took center stage at the Guild Theater earlier this month, as the California Black Women’s Health Project (CBWHP) hosted its annual “Women Who Dared” event, giving participants the space to share their challenges and triumphs. Moderated by author and self-love coach Anita Ross, the panel consisted of activist and evangelist Toni McNeil; Allisha Crockett, an educator who focuses on mental health recovery and restorative justice; local nurse Isale Rahotep; and entrepreneur Adwoa Akyianu.
“With Black women being the backbone of society, it is extremely important that we are cared for, not only by ourselves, but by our community,” said Akyianu, CEO of beauty brand She Has Shea.
Akyianu spoke of experiencing depression, anxiety and isolation due to growing up dark-skinned.
“Mentally, I didn’t have the words, I didn’t have the language. I didn’t have the tools and the resources,” she said. “Today, I’m really honored to now be in this space as a mental health advocate, as a therapy advocate, as an advocate for Black women, I think is so important.”
Rahotep shared her experience advocating for a loved one during a mental health crisis that resulted in a trip to the emergency room, facing security and a possible 72-hour hold.
“Understand your loved ones’ mental health conditions,” Rahotep urged audience members. “Even if it’s undiagnosed, understand their triggers, and be there for them if you can, if you have the capacity. Try to be there for them and try to be involved in their care.”
Crockett spoke of losing her father in 2010 and her daughter being shot in 2020.
“I have seen some things, and I should have been dead and gone a long time ago, about three or four times,” she said. “However, I’m not because my ancestors said, ‘No, not her, not that one.’”
Panelists also discussed the unique challenges faced by Black women in navigating mental health, including systemic barriers and lack of representation.
“A Black person should never have to pay for any mental health services,” McNeil said of continued trauma. “It needs to be part of the reparations package. Just because I’m Black, I should be able to get the best mental health therapist and the younger I am, the more prioritized it should be.”
The event was further highlighted by the presentation of several awards to women who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the health and well-being of Black women in California. The 2024 honorees included Wanda Smith, host of the KDEE radio show, “Full Circle”; Madalynn Rucker, founder and director of ONTRACK Program Resources; Dr. Tyan Parker Dominguez, a longtime CBWHP board member and professor of social work at USC; and Smith’s niece Taylor Lynn McClure, who was recognized posthumously. McClure, who was killed in a January car accident, was a student leader at Sacramento City College where she helped connect fellow Black students to resources through several on-campus efforts, including the Ashé Center and the Umoja-SBA program. An introduction to McClure’s award included how several Sac City students credited her for saving their lives when they’d contemplated suicide.
“Even though she was only here for 30 years, she did a lot in 30 years,” Francena McClure said of her daughter. “She did more in 30 than what people do in 60 and 90.”
The elder McClure received a $2,000 donation from CBWHP in her daughter’s name, which she promptly handed over to the Ashé Center for an edifying trip to Ghana, which her daughter had planned to be a part of. McClure said it was fitting that money would come from them, as Taylor would have likely reached out to her extended family of “grandmothers and aunties” to help cover her travel expenses.Women Who Dared helped mark May as Mental Health Awareness Month and CBWHP’s 30th anniversary. The celebration continues throughout the year with fundraisers for CBWHP programs. Activities include “30 Under 30,” an acknowledgment of young people who work to bring about wellness and health equity in the Black community.