Black Mental Health Village

09/06/2026

Today we honor Benaias on his birthday! ✨ We thank him for continuing to push the Black Mental Health Village forward and having a vision for collective liberation. Help us with Benaias a happy birthday by showing him some love in the comments! 🎂

08/31/2026

We’re Accepting Intern Applications!
Are you passionate about mental health, health equity, community engagement, research, or creating meaningful change in your community?
Black Mental Health Village is accepting intern applications! This is an opportunity to learn, grow, build professional skills, and gain hands-on experience while contributing to healing-centered work that supports Black communities.
We’re looking for students and emerging professionals who are ready to bring their ideas, skills, and passion to the Village. Whether your interests are in clinical services, community engagement, health equity, research, or program support, there may be a place for you here.
✨ Gain hands-on experience
✨ Learn from community-centered professionals
✨ Build meaningful connections
✨ Contribute to healing-centered work
✨ Grow your professional and leadership skills
Ready to join the Village? Apply today! https://www.bmhv.org/get-involved

08/31/2026

We are proud to share a glimpse of the momentum behind Black Mental Health Village’s expansion into Memphis.

Our recent Memphis Chapter Friendraiser and Open House brought together community members, supporters, partners, and future collaborators around a shared vision: building a culturally responsive, community-centered home for mental health, wellness, education, empowerment, and health justice.

This expansion is rooted in relationship, collective care, and the belief that Black communities deserve spaces where healing is accessible, affirming, and sustainable.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, donated, partnered, encouraged us, and continues to help make this vision possible. Memphis, this is only the beginning.
Watch the recap below, and connect with us if you are interested in partnering, volunteering, supporting, or helping grow the Village in Memphis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5gakiT3aqo

Donate to the Memphis Chapter: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/memphis-chapter

Thank you to the The Center for Black Health & Equity for seeding the vision.

We’re still feeling the love from the Black Mental Health Village M...

08/26/2026

Join us tomorrow for Art & Wellness, an afternoon of grounding, creative expression, and collective care. 🎨🧘🏾‍♀️✨

In partnership with BeWell at NPL, Black Mental Health Village invites you to slow down, reconnect with your body, and nurture your well-being through:
- Grounding meditation
- Somatic movement
- Poetry and reflection

This welcoming space is designed for rest, expression, and healing in community.

Thursday, August 27, 2026
2:00–4:00 PM
Nashville Public Library – North Branch

RSVP: BMHV.ORG/EVENTS

08/26/2026

The to***co industry has targeted Black communities for generations — and that targeting didn’t stop with menthol ci******es.

Today, to***co and v**e retailers continue to be concentrated in communities of color, while stress, trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges can make to***co even harder to quit.

Black Mental Health Village believes it’s time for change.
We’re advocating for:
✅ To***co Retail Licensing
✅ Stronger zoning protections around schools and youth spaces
✅ Culturally responsive mental health + to***co cessation support

Because protecting our community isn’t just about telling people to quit. It’s about addressing access, mental health, equity, and healing.

Our Labor. Our Lungs. Our Neighborhoods. Our Voice 🧡
🔗 Learn more at https://www.bmhv.org/health-justice

***coFreeNashville

08/25/2026

Mental health support extends beyond the individual; it impacts families, loved ones, and entire communities. 🧡

Join the Healing-Centered Community Engagement Series for a discussion on The Mental Health Needs of Justice-Impacted Individuals and Their Loved Ones – led by Health Equity Intern, Esha Chawla. Esha Chawla is a medical student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine who has worked with the Black Mental Health Village to better understand the mental health needs of justice-impacted individuals in Nashville. She hopes to continue integrating research, advocacy, and community partnership throughout her career in medicine.

This session will explore the unique mental health experiences of justice-impacted individuals and their support networks, while highlighting the importance of accessible, healing-centered approaches to care and connection.

📍 Location: Virtual (Zoom)�
📅 Date: Thursday, September 3
🕒 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM�
🔗 Register: https://www.bmhv.org/event-details/healing-centered-community-engagement-meeting-2026-09-03-12-00

Join us for an opportunity to learn, engage, and deepen our understanding of the challenges and needs within our communities.

08/24/2026

This is for our Youth Advocates and Leaders!
Black Mental Health Village is excited to launch our Health Justice Leadership Lab: Youth Leadership Development: Youth Advocacy Training! 🖤✊🏾
This one-day Train-the-Trainer program is designed for students ages 14–22 who are ready to learn, lead, speak up, and create healthier communities.
Participants will:
1. Learn the history of to***co and the targeted marketing of menthol to***co products in Black communities
2. Explore the health risks of va**ng for teens and young adults
3. Build leadership, public speaking, and advocacy skills
4. Learn how to advocate for healthier communities and effective policy change
5. Put their learning into action by developing and leading their own presentation!

We’re accepting applications for our Fall 2026 cohort! Register today at www.bmhv.org/yat
Questions? Email Esarrah at [email protected]

08/21/2026

Today, we celebrate the wisdom, love, strength, and legacy of older adults in our community. 💐

We are proud to partner with and fiscally sponsor Nana’s Circle and Seniors On The Move, organizations doing meaningful work to ensure our elders are seen, supported, and celebrated.

Thank you for continuing to show up, lead, care for families, and pave the way for generations to come. Happy National Senior Citizens Day!

08/20/2026

This summer, Black Mental Health Village hosted our first in-person Healing-Centered Community Engagement Meeting: Schizophrenia Awareness Person-First Awareness & Community Conversation. We brought together 45 community members in person and virtually for an afternoon of learning, storytelling, and connection.

We were honored to hear powerful personal stories and insights from Dakota Austin, CPRS, while Desmond Spann, PhD and Dr. Kristan Armstrong, PhD, LCSW shared culturally competent research findings that helped deepen our understanding of schizophrenia and the importance of culturally responsive approaches to mental health.

We're thankful for the partnership with Dr. Dopwell and Charisma Beatty, MSW, of the TSU Dept. of Social Work and Urban Studies and for leading this conversation.

From meaningful conversation to shared refreshments, this gathering reminded us of the importance of creating spaces where communities can learn, listen, share their experiences, and challenge stigma together.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared space, asked questions, and contributed to this important conversation. Healing happens in community.