Black & Brown Minds M.A.T.T.E.R Psyches of Color, Inc.
West African Andrika Symbol
AYA
“fern”
symbol of endurance and resourcefulness
The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. “An individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty.” (Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary)
“Somebody told a lie one day. They couched it in language. They made everything Black, ugly, and evil. Look in your dictionaries and see the synonyms of the word “Black.” It’s always something degrading and low and sinister. Look at the word “White,” it’s always pure, high, and clean. Well, I want to get the language right tonight. I want to get the language so right that everyone here will cry out:
“Yes, I’m Black, I’m proud of it.
I’m Black and I’m beautiful!”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Activist
Black Minds M.A.T.T.E.R
Dr. Tierra created the Black Minds M.A.T.T.E.R intervention in the Spring of 2018. She conducted a mixed-methods randomized control trial pilot with Black youth (pictured) in the Spring of 2019. The youth’s voices, as indicated in the research results, are what resulted in the Psyches of Color, Inc. nonprofit! Dr. Tierra has modified the intervention to incorporate Latinx youth and more of the youth’s voices from the initial cohort.
AZTEC
"Eagle"
symbol of bravery,
power and strength
“The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever.”
– Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States ,
Black and Brown Minds M.A.T.T.E.R
Black and Brown Minds M.A.T.T.E.R is a trauma-informed and culturally relevant positive youth development group (PYD) that aims to decrease mental health stigma. Adolescents and young adults learn how to identify mental health symptoms and ways to cope. The PYD group further normalizes their experiences through group activities, while introducing them to advocacy and self-empowerment. The group is a mix of mental health, hip-hop culture, and Black and Latinx culture. If you know a youth who would be interested then feel free to sign them up here!
Copyright © Tierra T. Ellis 2021 All Rights Reserved.