Member of the Month: Zakia Williams
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Zakia is the co-founder of Black Men Heal, an organization founded in 2018 to address the inequities of the broken healthcare system and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in Black and brown communities. Under its flagship program, Black Men Heal provides eight free therapy sessions to Black men and men of color, delivered by clinicians of color.
The organization has since expanded to include Heal with Him and Kings’ Corner, virtual psychoeducational groups that equip men and women with skills to improve their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Most recently, Black Men Heal launched a Gun Violence Group Therapy Program for youth and young adults, offering emotional support and coping strategies for those affected by gun violence. Committed to breaking barriers to mental health care, all services are provided free of charge to the community and we rely on the generosity of donors to continue our work. Grants, sponsorships, and donations are essential to funding our organization and programs, ensuring we can keep making an impact.
Q&A with Zakia:
What is your favorite place you have traveled to? Rwanda, Africa for a friend’s wedding. It is one of the cleanest cities I’ve ever visited.
What was your first concert?
Michael Jackson at the veteran stadium in Philadelphia!
If you “played hooky” how would you spend your day? Walking at the Wissahickon trail
What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?
I love to sing, I can’t, but I love to
The weather says a snowstorm is coming. Besides the basics, what are you heading to the grocery store to make sure you have in case you are stuck at home?
Wine, white!
Zakia S. Williams, MBA, MA
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Black Men Heal
zakiawilliams@blackmenheal.org
blackmenheal.org