We are Black, We are female, and We are RESILIENT.
Who we are…
As the founders, we are Black, we are female and we are resilient. Our name is designed to reflect who we are as founders of this organization. We imagine that other minoritized groups have similar experiences to us and may find support through our work. We simply believe we only have the authority to speak from our own experiences as Black Women. As licensed counselors we are seeking to reimagine mental health access for BIPOC communities.
Therefore, we have created this organization, Resilient Black Women,INC.
Deneshia Simpson, LPC was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas. She had an idea for creating an organization that could demystify and redefine what it meant to be Black and female. Along with her partner Joi McGowan, LPC they envisioned a way to educate and support Black women in finding affordable and accessible counseling.
Why us?
We acknowledge the research from JAMA Psychiatry in 2007 who highlight how major depression is much higher among Black Women and Caribbean Black’s and it usually goes untreated for an extended period of time. We recognize that Black Women and other BIPOC communities have difficulty accessing mental health services. According to the AADA, we know that Black Americans are 20% more likely than the general population to suffer from serious mental health illnesses. The Jefferson Center discusses how BIPOC communities have more barriers standing in their way of seeking mental health care. Some of those barriers include racism & discrimination, the stigma of mental health in BIPOC communities, limited access to mental health, and lack of providers who identify within the BIPOC community.
Our Mission
To demystify mental health & culture for Black Women, Women of Color, and Women everywhere.
Our Core Values
To foster a holistic view of self/others
To embody cultural humility and vulnerability
To have a compassionate presence
To be community minded
What We Do
CREATE community programming to educate about mental health and culture with live events and through our podcast
PROVIDE financial asstance to help women and youth have access to counseling support
EDUCATE clinicians and organizations regarding mental health & culture