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Health Justice Coalition Executive Committee L ast Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Health Justice Coalition  (HJC) held its Executive Committee elections and confirmed a powerful team of community-rooted leaders. The Health Justice Coalition Executive Committee reflects our belief that real health justice requires shared leadership across sectors and lived experiences. The newly elected Executive Committee includes: Co-Chair: Melissa Roberts, Friends Against Fentanyl Element Co-Chair: Sheryl Huff, National Action Network of Middle Tennessee Treasurer: Jerry L. Ivery Jr., Esq., Mashup Secretary: Esarrah Hopkins, Black Mental Health Village  and Nashville Chapter of Sisters in Public Health Programming: Dominick Holland, Nashville Bail Fund  Membership: Joseph Bazelais, Ether Co-op At Large: Benaias Esayeas, Black Mental Health Village At Large & Coalition Manager: Chanda Freeman, Black Mental Health Village Each person brings a unique set of skills, relationships, and lived experiences that strengthen our coalition. Together, they represent communities working across the social determinants of health, including mental health, housing, public safety, economic justice, and more. As this new Executive Committee steps into its role, Black Mental Health Village will continue to serve as the backbone organization for the Health Justice Coalition. We are honored to support this leadership team as they guide our shared work in Tennessee and the MidSouth where the communities most impacted by harm are also the ones shaping solutions.

Heal the Block Party 2026 Tomorrow evening, one of Nashville's most beloved community healing spaces is throwing a party and we want to make sure you are there. Brooklyn Heights Community Garden is hosting their annual Heal the Block Party 2026 , a spring fundraiser that is as much a celebration as it is a community call to action.​ Event Details: Date: Friday, March 20, 2026 Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: Brooklyn Heights Community Garden, 1833 Haynes St, Nashville, TN 37207 Cost: Free to attend. Suggested donation of $15 to $35 per adult to support the garden's programs. Here is what you can expect when you show up:​ Live music and a DJ experience by The Dancing People Mini tea-making sessions led by Healed People Heal A community limpia, a traditional Mexican energy cleansing ceremony, offered by local healer Victoria VL An art experience by Turnip Green Creative Reuse Fresh produce, an auction, wellness workshops, and healing spaces This is more than a party. All proceeds go directly toward Brooklyn Heights Community Garden's ongoing projects, which provide a safe and inclusive space for wellness, food access, and community connection in North Nashville.​ Black Mental Health Village and the Health Justice Coalition recognize green spaces, gardens, and community-owned land as core parts of health justice. When Black and low-income communities have access to land, food, healing, and joy, we are directly addressing the root conditions that shape health outcomes. Brooklyn Heights Community Garden has raised $2,945 toward their $10,000 goal so far. Come through tomorrow, bring your neighbors, and support a garden that is truly healing the block.​

Stop telling me you care about older adults or Black history when your budget says otherwise. Whenever I'm searching for resources for our elders, I find websites that read, “We center ‘successful aging’ and ‘aging in place,’” but most places will not put a budget behind their wellness, safety, or joy. This year marks 100 years of Black History Month observances, born from Carter G. Woodson’s vision that Black people must remake our past in order to make our future. A century later, organizations flood timelines with “we honor our ancestors” graphics and polished posts about resilience and legacy. Yet we are consistently neglecting the people who are living Black history in real time, Black elders who have survived segregation, displacement, medical racism, and policy violence, and are now told there is nothing left for them but a brochure, a flyer, and a waitlist. Too many Black elders live with untreated depression, anxiety, and race related stress that our systems continually ignore. A for profit primary care practice serving older adults in a predominantly Black neighborhood reached out to me for a meeting about elder mental health. They told me, without flinching, that about 70 percent of their older adults had unmet mental health needs, mirroring what we know about high levels of psychological distress and unmet care among Black adults. In the next sentence, they asked me to bring five therapists for three hours, for free, with a budget of zero dollars. No stipend, no honorarium, no transportation, no consultation fee. Just vibes and charity. That is not care. That is extraction. That is “we need you to fix this data point for our population, but we will not adjust our financial priorities to make sure our elders actually receive dignified, sustained care.” You cannot claim to care about older adults when the line item for their mental health is 0 dollars. To all the folks cranking out performative Black History Month posts, do you even care about older adults, about our living Black history, the grandmothers raising third generations, the elders holding the stories, the ones whose bodies carry the receipts of every policy we pretend is “in the past”? Because your budgets, your staffing plans, your investment in accessibility, your program designs, and your “partnerships” tell the truth your captions will not, you do not. Nana’s Circle is a community based nonprofit that supports and empowers elder caregivers, especially grandparents and other relatives age 55+ who are raising children under 18. We now have more than 42 older adults raising more than 100 kids between them. Just like Carter G. Woodson’s vision, we must invest in our past in order to build a strong future. ​

It takes a village. Nana's Circle Inc Logo As November concludes and we wrap up National Family Caregiver Month, we’re reminded just how many quiet heroes walk among us, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and neighbors, each stepping up when families need them most. For too long, the family policing system, also known as the Department of Children’s Services, has failed families experiencing real hardship. Instead of help, many face surveillance and get punished when what they truly need is support and care. In our Black community, the answer has often been kinship care: when a parent can’t be there, family members step in with love, grit, and open arms. Andrea Hancock, CEO of Nana's Circle Inc In 2022, everything changed when I met Andrea Hancock, an incredible Nana and servant leader who understood the realities facing these families as a caregiver to five grandchildren. When the kids first needed care, they went to their great-grandparents. Andrea was already helping out, but after their great-grandfather, Mr. Holt, returned to the work force to provide for 5 great-grandchildren and passed away unexpectedly, she stepped fully into the role to care for the kids, alongside the great-grandmother. She became the steady anchor holding everyone together while facing her own challenges. Her story shined a light on the real struggles, and immeasurable strength, of elders and family members who create safety and love for others even in the hardest moments. Nana's Circle Inc programming in 2024 That honest conversation with Andrea sparked something powerful. At Black Mental Health Village, we listened and realized our elders deserve more than just respect and recognition, they need real support, especially those stepping up for the next generation. We wanted to build an initiative that didn’t just talk about health equity but created it from the ground up, centered around the wisdom of those who’ve lived through it all. Nana's Circle Inc parenting class in 2024 So, we got out of the way and let those stories take the lead. We held listening sessions across North and South Nashville, gathering grandparents, aunties, and uncles, the everyday heroes quietly making miracles happen. From these sacred circles, Nana’s Circle emerged. It started as a program within Black Mental Health Village, rooted in Andrea’s vow that no grandparent should have to walk this path alone. Together, we dreamed up a village for generational hope, connection, and community, a place for elders and the young to lift each other up and build community hand-in-hand. Nana’s Circle programming with Meharry medical student volunteers exposing our kids to opportunities in medicine. With the backing of Black Mental Health Village and our Health Justice Incubator, Nana’s Circle had the foundation to grow strong. Through fiscal sponsorship, we gave Andrea and her community the financial and administrative support to blossom, always believing that those living the experience are best equipped to lead the change. Nana's Circle Inc programming in 2024 - A healing circle with facilitator, Pamela Wood. Now, Nana’s Circle Inc has found its wings as its own 501(c)(3), and our work continues side by side. The mission stays the same: to celebrate, uplift, and stand with the caregivers who turn adversity into hope every single day.  If there’s a grandparent wrestling with this journey, let them know Nana’s Circle Inc is here and no one has to do this alone, because, truly, it takes a village. Learn more about Nana’s Circle Inc Support their Mission! Learn More about Black Mental Health Village Buy BMHV Merch Support our mission!

Senior programming is an integral part of Black Mental Health Village 's mission. That's why we are proud to announce that we are the new fiscal sponsor for Seniors On The Move, a local nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives, connecting families, and building communities, one senior at a time. To learn more about Seniors On The Move, visit their website. Seniors On The Move is officially a Fiscally Sponsored Program of Black Mental Health Village. All donations are tax deductible. Donate today! Learn more about fiscal sponsorship at Black Mental Health Village.

The cartoon depicts deinstitutionalization, a movement that ultimately led to transinstitutionalization with people with mental illness moving from psychiatric hospitals to jails, homeless shelters, nursing homes, prisons, and the streets. We have to understand President Trump’s recent executive order on homelessness and mental illness through the lens of history. This executive order dangerously echoes failed policies from our nation’s past, including the transinstitutionalization movement and the height of the War on Drugs—periods marked by the forced movement of Black, Brown, and marginalized people from psychiatric hospitals into jails, prisons, and other custodial settings, as well as aggressive criminalization of substance use that disproportionately devastated our communities. Rather than providing meaningful care or support, these strategies substituted one form of institutional control for another, deepening trauma, stigma, and systemic harm. The transinstitutionalization movement began as deinstitutionalization closed state psychiatric hospitals, but without adequate community-based supports, many people with serious mental illness were funneled into the criminal justice system or other custodial settings. Similarly, the War on Drugs framed addiction as a criminal matter, leading to mass incarceration and devastating Black and Brown communities without addressing root causes such as poverty, trauma, and lack of health resources. Now, President Trump’s executive order revives these same punitive strategies—prioritizing coercion over care, punishment over housing, and surveillance over support. Instead of investing in affordable housing, voluntary and culturally informed care, and community-based solutions, the order pushes forced institutionalization and criminalization of homelessness and mental illness. History and lived experience show us that these approaches fail: they amplify generational harm, entrench trauma, and further erode trust in public systems among the very people they claim to help. The Order seeks to dismantle decades of disability rights progress by undermining Olmstead v. L.C., the landmark Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the right of people with disabilities to live freely in their communities with appropriate support, rather than being forcibly confined. Homelessness and the mental health challenges tied to it are symptoms of systemic failures: chronic underfunding of Black mental health, disinvestment in our neighborhoods, and legacies of discriminatory policies. True solutions demand that we prioritize Housing First models, accessible and affirming mental health care, and investments grounded in dignity, respect, and the lived expertise of those most affected. This order regrettably aims to withdraw support and funding from proven, evidence-based initiatives such as Housing First and Harm Reduction. At the same time, it seeks to establish federal surveillance of all homelessness funding recipients, forcing them to collect and share personal data on people experiencing homelessness with the federal government and law enforcement. We at Black Mental Health Village urge policymakers to reject this executive order, block any attempts to expand forced institutionalization, and instead redirect funding toward Housing First, voluntary mental health care, and community-driven solutions that center the dignity of those most impacted. Join us in championing approaches rooted in justice, healing, and community investment.  Everyone deserves a safe home and care that honors their humanity, not forced confinement or criminalization. References Alexander, M. (2012). The New Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press. Greenwood, R. M., Stefancic, A., Tsemberis, S., & Busch-Geertsema, V. (2018). Housing first: Ending homelessness, transforming systems, and changing lives. Oxford University Press. Henry, M., Watt, R., Rosenthal, L., Shivji, A., & Brethauer, P. (2020). The 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lamb, H. R., & Weinberger, L. E. (2005). The shift of psychiatric inpatient care from hospitals to jails and prisons. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 33(4), 529–534. Mauer, M., & King, R. S. (2007). Uneven justice: State rates of incarceration by race and ethnicity. The Sentencing Project. Metraux, S., Marcus, S. C., & Homburger, J. (2017). Incarceration and homelessness. Social Service Review, 85(4), 575-607. Padgett, D. K., Henwood, B. F., & Tsemberis, S. J. (2016). Housing First: Ending homelessness, transforming systems, and changing lives. Oxford University Press. Torrey, E. F. (2014). American psychosis: How the federal government destroyed the mental illness treatment system. Oxford University Press. Watson, A. C. (2017). The criminalization of people with mental illness: Time for change. Social Work in Mental Health, 15(5), 533-545. Williams, D. R., Lawrence, J. A., & Davis, B. A. (2018). Racism and health: Evidence and needed research. Annual Review of Public Health, 40, 105–125.

Image courtesy of X user @CalltoActivism shows protestors in wheelchairs being zip-tied by Capitol police for protesting against Medicaid Cuts. Today, as our nation prepares to celebrate its independence, we confront a sobering reality: The so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" (BBB) will be signed into law tomorrow, and it will soon strip  millions of Black and marginalized folks  of life-saving healthcare, mental health, and substance use care. Medicaid, the largest payer for these services, faces devastating cuts, risking coverage for  Black Americans who represent 20% of the recipients of Medicaid . Why This Hurts Our Village Loss of Critical Coverage 85 million people depend on Medicaid; 33% have mental health needs, and 25% face  both  mental illness and substance use disorders. Cuts will force more into emergency rooms, jails, untreated suffering, or death by police responding to mental health crises. Barriers to Care Will Grow Already, only  1 in 3 Black Americans  receive mental health treatment due to stigma, cost, and provider shortages. This bill worsens disparities by slashing safety-net funding and making it even harder for our community to access care. Our Work Just Got Harder At BMHV, we see daily how systemic racism compounds trauma. This bill undermines our health justice advocacy and overwhelms the capacity of our therapy fund, internship programs, and community healing program to support the growing needs of our community. Still, we continue to bridge gaps  because  we know these systems were designed to fail us. How We Respond Advocate:  Join our  Health Justice Coalition  as w e build community and our capacity to fight back through the Pathways to Health Justice Training.  Donate:  Our therapy fund ($250 covers a month of therapy for a person) and free & sliding scale therapy is now a lifeline for those losing Medicaid. Mobilize:   Reach out to your local council representative and urge them to use their position to meet the health needs and support the community care our neighborhoods deserve. Remind them that their leadership at the local level is crucial for protecting access to vital health and mental health services. A Call to Radical Care This bill assumes our lives are disposable. We reject that. Healing is resistance. Whether you donate, protest, organize, or simply check on a loved one today, tomorrow, and consistently, we need you to act . Our ancestors survived systems never meant for them. So will we. In solidarity, Benaias Esayeas Executive Director Black Mental Health Village

Learn more about Blue Sage Wellness and their Preceptroship Program for PMHNP Students At Black Mental Health Village , we are committed to breaking barriers and creating pathways for underrepresented communities in mental health care. Even in the face of anti-DEI challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that every individual has access to culturally responsive care.  That’s why we’re proud to support Blue Sage Wellness and their incredible PMHNP Preceptorship Program! This program is a game-changer for aspiring Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) who are passionate about serving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. This preceptorship focuses on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ mental health, developing clinical skills, advocacy, community building, as well as entrepreneurship. Why This Matters: Representation saves lives. Diverse mental health professionals bring unique perspectives and understanding to care, which is critical for marginalized communities seeking affirming care.  Who Should Apply? PMHNP students located in middle Tennessee who are approaching the end of their program. Passionate individuals dedicated to advancing mental health equity for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. How to Apply: 📝 Application link:   https://bluesagewellnesspllc.com/pmhnp-preceptorship Link on our Linktree  📧 Email Martha for more info: martha@bluesagewellnesspllc.com Together, we can create a mental health workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Let’s build a future where everyone has access to the care they deserve.

In light of the tragic events at Antioch High School, our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this incident. As an organization that works at the intersection of mental health, public health, and violence prevention, we are obligated to speak on Wednesday’s shooting at Antioch High School. There is not much to say that hasn’t already been said. Unfortunately, we have created a world in which these things need to be repeated anyway. Since 2021, guns have been the leading cause of death of children in Tennessee. Across the country, the rate at which children are killed by firearms increased sharply, with BIPOC children disproportionately being the victims of gun violence. In part, this reflects worsening youth mental health without a corresponding increase in access to services. But, it also reflects a total disregard for these lives by a state leadership that has pushed for unregulated access to deadly weapons and claimed Tennessee as a sanctuary state for guns.  The irony is clear: right now, as one of our state’s public schools recovers from an attack for which our students desperately need resources, state leadership has called a special session to defund public schools. Last year, a special session sparked by the Covenant School shooting in Nashville became a way for state leadership to push more guns into schools by arming teachers. Public schools have become currency to score political points, rather than spaces focused on the holistic well-being of our students. At Black Mental Health Village, we envision a world where our children have more rights than guns.  We mourn the loss of life – both the young woman who was killed and the young man who took another's life and his own.  As people speculate about the young man’s mental health in a way that demonizes those struggling with mental health challenges, it’s crucial to emphasize that individuals with mental illnesses are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Instead of perpetuating stigma, we must foster understanding and advocate for mental health support that uplifts and protects vulnerable individuals, especially those in our schools. At Black Mental Health Village, we offer the following services for those struggling with mental health and violence in their communities: individual & group therapy, youth programming, support groups, yoga, meditation, training and workshops, opportunities to build community, harm reduction resources to promote safety and well-being, and coordination of mental health services based on the needs of our community. We will move forward together – some of us more slowly than others. Justice is refusing to use the names of those who lost their lives in vain. Justice is creating a better world for those who remain.  Sincerely,  Stephen Watts  Youth Safety and Advocacy Manager  Black Mental Health Village  Benaias Esayeas Co-founder and Executive Director  Black Mental Health Village Sources: https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/the-impact-of-gun-violence-on-children-and-adolescents/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8RZTu1ESmcGr6mCVewbuUbsfwfVsi4TlfCDikCx6Hcn04BBeSNw95ogM03VHVR2-OZL2NjsdG1xvUhhjKVayhXNO1GHA&_hsmi=2&utm_content=2&utm_source=hs_email https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/08/14/report-firearms-are-leading-cause-of-death-in-tennessee-kids/

We are excited to announce the addition of two remarkable leaders to our Board of Directors: Dr. Donna M. Dopwell  and Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi . Both bring invaluable expertise, experience and a shared commitment to advancing mental health equity in Black communities. Dr. Donna M. Dopwell Donna M. Dopwell completed her Master of Science in Social Work degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, followed by her Ph.D. in Social Work at Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service. Dr. Dopwell has served in multiple roles within the social work profession and has conducted research and evaluations in different social service organizations and communities. Her research has largely surrounded issues of inequity in health status for non-White residents and has centered a mixed-methods approach to offer a fuller understanding of relevant experiences. Dr. Dopwell currently serves as the Director of Social Work and Co-Director of the TSU Center on Aging Research and Educational Services at Tennessee State University and is progressing well toward tenure. She lives with two cats and one dog and regularly resists the desire to add more pets to the household. Dr. Donna M. Dopwell Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi is a physician scientist and an advocate for health equity. She is the founding RWJF Chair for Health Policy and serves as an Associate Professor in the Political Determinants of Health Department of the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College. She is also an adjunct Associate Professor in the Dept. of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Nabaweesi has dedicated her career to exploring how social and political forces shape health outcomes, particularly in trauma, maternal and child health, environmental and global health. Both her clinical and public health research focus on addressing pressing societal issues by studying the critical intersection of health policy, social determinants of health, and trauma among minority populations. Her goal is to understand the complex challenges associated with trauma, women's and children's health and wellness, across the lifespan and both domestically and globally. She was recently appointed by the Health and Human Services Secretary to the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council. Dr. Rosemary Nabaweesi A Bright Future Ahead We are honored to welcome Dr. Dopwell  and Dr. Nabaweesi  to Black Mental Health Village. Their leadership and vision will strengthen our efforts to address systemic inequities, promote mental health, and create lasting impact within our communities. Please join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter!

For Immediate Release:   L.O.V.E.S. 2 Wright Organization Hosts 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner with a Community Health Fair Presented by Black Mental Health Village and Men IQ Network Nashville, TN – November 23, 2024:  The L.O.V.E.S. organization proudly announces its 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner, dedicated to bringing the South Nashville community together for a day of gratitude and fellowship. For the second year in a row, L.O.V.E.S. has partnered with Black Mental Health Village (BMHV)  and Men IQ Network  to also host a Community Health Fair , providing vital health education, resources,  and awareness alongside the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Event Details: What:  9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner & Community Health Fair Where:  James Carroll Napier Homes (Leasing Office)648 Claiborne St, Nashville, TN 37210 When:  Saturday, November 23, 2024 Set-Up Time:  9:30 AM Event Time:  10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Dinner Served:  11:00 AM The 9th Annual   Thanksgiving Day Dinner  hosted by the L.O.V.E.S. organization will begin at 11:00 AM, offering a warm and welcoming meal to all attendees. In conjunction with this celebration, Black Mental Health Village  and Men IQ Network  will present a Community Health Fair , focused on providing essential health services and education to the underserved South Nashville community. Vendor Opportunities: We are seeking 15 vendors  to participate in the health fair. While all are welcome, we are particularly interested in: Mental Health Professionals Healthcare Providers & Educators Organizations Serving South Nashville Vendor Instructions: This is an outdoor event , so vendors must bring their own table (8x10 max), chair, tent, and tablecloth. Please provide pamphlets, resources, or samples for attendees to take home. RSVP by November 10, 2024  via program@bmhv.org . Confirmation of participation will be provided via email. How to Support: Community members and sponsors are welcome to support the event in a variety of ways: In-kind Donations:   Visit our website for details.   Become a Vendor: Fill out the vendor form. Become a Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer Financial Contributions:   Make a payment online  and include "Thanksgiving Day Dinner" in the comment section, or mail a check to: Black Mental Health Village: 4173 Polk Forest Circle, Nashville, TN 37207. Final sponsor payments are due by November 16, 2024 . Join us: This event offers a unique opportunity to strengthen community ties, promote health education, and enjoy a shared meal. Together, we can uplift and support the South Nashville community. For more information or any questions about the Community Health Fair , please contact us at program@bmhv.org . For more information or any questions about the Thanksgiving Day Dinner, please contact us at info@loves2wright.org .

When the sky weighs low, pressing down like chains, and the country—our own—stumbles again, I want you to know, sister, I am here, standing beside you, arms steady, eyes clear. For every time you’re made to carry more, made to bend, made to fight through a storm that only ever rains on us, I am here bearing witness to your strength, your grace, your fire. They don’t know the rivers you’ve crossed, the bridges you’ve built and burned to protect our names, our futures, our joy— but I do sister, I see you. I hold that story close. And I know the anger they aim at you— the way they call you strong to excuse the weight, to pretend they can’t hear your cry, as if you’re a stone instead of a woman. But here, sister, is where we link arms, where we fight their silence with our own song, with a love so bold it outlasts the night. Let them see us, see our resolve—the way we stand. You hold this world together, make it bearable, your hands shaping hope from the dust of dreams. And even when they try to dim your light, to bind your voice, I am here, saying “yes” with you. Yes to your beauty, your brilliance, your being, to every wound healed, every mile you walk with your head high, your pride untamed, as if to say to the world: “I am still here.” I am here, and I see you. I see us, weathering storms we didn’t make, and sister, I promise I will be here in the quiet and the chaos, beside you in the fight. They can turn their backs, but we turn to each other, building strength, brick by brick, bone by bone. They can stumble, but we rise—we rise, until the light is ours, and we hold it steady, flooding this world, brilliant and unbroken, in a dawn that is finally, undeniably ours. - From a black man This poetry was written by our College Ambassador, Dorian Bowman, a student at Tennesse State University.