Regina Askin
Office Manager at Abbott Corners Counseling
Dominique Barker
Program Director of Lighthouse Women’s Residence
Kevin Beckman
Vice President of Health Home
Chenell Coleman
Assistant Director of Nursing
Regina Askin
Office Manager at Abbott Corners Counseling
Dominique Barker
Program Director of Lighthouse Women’s Residence
Kevin Beckman
Vice President of Health Home
Chenell Coleman
Assistant Director of Nursing
Shamecca DeJarnette
Director of Specialized Care and Mobile Services
Kelly Dumas
Chief Operating Officer
Jeanne Lumpkin
Program Director of Project SAYVE
Jerrell Mason
Director of Community Engagement
Mona Lisa McEachin
Lead Peer Trainer
Tylica Pope
Vice President of Specialty Substance Use Disorders Services & Housing
Danielle Prester
Program Director at Niagara Riverview Counseling
Jessica Smith
Deputy Counsel
Andre Stokes
Director of Specialty Substance Use Disorder
DeWan Stroud
Chief People Officer
Kelly Dumas
Chief Operating Officer
We often use the term “creating space” – What does that mean as it relates to how we amplify Black voices?
“Creating space means just that! Don’t fill it up with useless words and noise. Acknowledge the intent to create space and define what you mean by this. Creating space for healing? Then open the floor and let me enter as I choose and allow me to occupy that space to meet my needs. Creating space for me at the table? Then pay attention to what voices are speaking at the table and which are being heard. Make sure you invite me to share my thoughts and ideas and don’t become defensive if they are very different from your own.“
Kevin Beckman
VP of Health Home
How do you amplify black voices in your community, with clients, and your own voice?
“I recently learned that the amplification of black voices, whether it’s the individuals we serve as an agency, the members of my community, or even my own voice, is more than just a head nod. It requires a concerted effort to let the individual in front of you know verbally (without question) that you are standing in support of what’s being said. And more importantly, that we see them, that we are listening to them, and that we support them.”
Jessica Smith
Deputy Counsel
How can other companies amplify Black voices internally?
“Hiring and promoting black talent is really important for a company to amplify black voices internally. Companies have to make the effort to ensure that they value black employees as members of organization, invest in their growth and development, and position them for success. Creating a company culture that embraces diverse talent will help to amplify black voices.”
Andre Stokes
Director of Specialty SUD
How can other companies amplify Black voices internally?
“Other companies can amplify Black voices internally by acknowledging that Black voices need amplification. Constructing a purposeful approach built with intent to encourage discussion platforms and actually utilizing the discussions to create socio-environmental enhancements related to race.”
Tylica Pope
VP of Specialty SUD Services & Housing
Jerrell Mason
Director of Community Engagement