His Perspective

Jacqui has an M.S. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with concentrations in Trauma as well as Diverse and Underserved Communities. She co-facilitates empowerment workshops for incarcerated women that support their emotional needs while in custody with special attention to the role trauma plays in the lives of women and girls in the criminal justice system. In response to the lack of trauma-informed care within the penal system, Jacqui founded the nonprofit Sankofa Healing Studio which is built on the six core principles of trauma-informed care: 1) trauma- understanding, 2) safety & security, 3) cultural humility & responsiveness, 4) compassion & dependability, 5) collaboration & empowerment, and 6) resilience & recovery.Fueled by her passion and dedication as a change agent, Jacqui uses community activism and artivism to disrupt the cycles of social injustices and challenge individuals and organizations to become love-centered and anti-oppressive. She provides training workshops on the importance of gender-responsiveness and trauma-specific care within the legal system. She facilitates trauma/resiliency workshops in the community that addresses racial, inter-generational, and community trauma. She believes that to eradicate the myths and remove the stigma related to mental health in the black community, we must first name it and then replace it with culturally relevant services. She addresses head-on the complex intersectionality of adverse childhood experiences, race, and the criminal justice system.Her strength is her creativity and ability to look at things through an empathic lens. She doesn’t allow herself or those that she works with to be limited by societal boxes; instead, she meets people where they dream. She is committed to the betterment of the community, as well as the advancement of trauma-related healing and research. "Holding space is the most powerful and loving thing that we can do for another person. Each of us is the expert in our own lives. We need to besupportednot saved. We need to beheardnot told. We need to feelloved. Embrace me as I am."Until the Story of the hunt is told by the Lion, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.~ African Proverb

Jacqui Johnson

A panel discussion about the mental impact of incarceration on Black men and the struggles of family reunification.

The Discovery Center

Compared to other Black, those who have been incarcerated have 14%, 13% and 16% higher severity of depression, distress and discrimination, respectively, according to a study conducted by Rutgers. Black Americans constitute nearly 1 million of the 2.3 million persons incarcerated and are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites. One in three (33%) Black American men will experience prison; white men’s risk is just 6%. Many jails have instituted mail policies that can eliminate the ability to communicate with loved ones. Phone calls can be costly and many families can’t afford to cover the costs of collect calls. We know that the children of incarcerated fathers do less well in school and exhibit behavioral problems. In addition, we know that partners suffer from depression and economic hardship. But what do we know about the mental anguish black men experience while incarceration - separated from their children and loved ones? The narrative is that they are absent fathers who are unaffected. That's not true! This week's panel discussion will dispel those myths. We will talk to Donnell Drinks, CPS and Co-Founder of Real Street Talk, an inmate-initiation program at SCI Phoenix, and Kenneth Walker, Jr, Community Advocate and Founder of the Cleveland Community Center.

Join us each week for a​n interactive discussion about Mental Health ​and Wellness within the Black community.Every week we will explore a different topic that addresses: the ​mental and physical impact of trauma, transforming the stigma around mental health, available support resources, and how we can heal from personal, racial and community traumas.

If there is a specific topic related to Black Mental Health and Wellness that you would like to hear discussed, send us your idea. If you have an area of expertise that you would like to share with the community, contact us. If you have a related organization or service that you provide, let's talk. We’d love to hear from you!**Be advised that subject matter may not be appropriate for young children. Light refreshment will be served. There is free parking at the site.**

His Perspective

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His Perspective

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