Darkness RISING is a mental health awareness 501(c)3 nonprofit. We offer free community wellness workshops geared toward people of color, inspirational cover songs, visual albums, and live concerts created by Black Broadway and theatre professionals, many who have experienced a mental health condition. Our goal is to inspire conversations about mental health, address issues which directly affect the Black community, connect attendees to resources, and erase the stigma.
the health and wellness of the Black community
awareness about mental health in our community
and engage our community via resources, events and services.
the negative stigma of mental health issues
We offer free wellness workshops throughout the year, including: Meditation, Fitness, Yoga, Adult Coloring, Community Forums & more
Our free Black mental health resource packet includes databases of Black therapists, apps, podcasts, blogs, advocates and more.
Our Broadway singers perform at live events and virtually, singing songs of hope. Our video series includes singing, dancing + conversations about mental health
© 2021 Mental Health Resources.
Collin L. Howard is a performer, producer, hospitality expert and an overall culture enthusiast. Originally from Piscataway NJ, Collin graduated from the prestigious Hartt School at The University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT where he earned his B.F.A. in Music Theatre and now resides in Harlem. He has performed Off- Broadway, regionally as well as in film and television. A proud member of Darkness RISING since its inception, Collin is an inaugural member of its Board of Trustees as well as Director of Creative Content. He firmly believes in making mental health and self-care awareness more accessible to the Black community; with a strong emphasis in the destigmatizing of addiction.
Nichole Ramirez is the Assistant Director of the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program at Purdue University. She has been passionately involved with mental health organizations for over six years after having experienced a mental health condition. In addition to serving on the board of Darkness RISING, Nichole advises the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Campus at Purdue and is a former President of the Board for NAMI West Central Indiana. Nichole is originally from El Paso, TX, and obtained a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Purdue.
Cathey Ector–Cox has been involved with youth, community advocacy, and volunteer initiatives for more than 27 years. She currently serves as the Youth Services Director in the City of Raleigh Community Engagement Division, and is a Nonprofit Consultant.
Cathey oversees the Raleigh Pathways Center, which houses a portfolio of workforce development programs, services and resources meant to increase opportunity and provide clear pathways to success for young adults.
Cathey plays a vital role in the facilitation, organizing and planning of youth programs, community offerings, and services. She is knowledgeable in the areas of community development, strategic planning and administrative management. She works with youth service organizations by finding real time solutions to community issues, while simultaneously working with local government, grantors, and other stakeholders in order to create collaborative partnerships in bringing those solutions to fruition.
Tamala is an award-winning filmmaker that writes stories designed to excite the imagination. She is known for the series, Bubbly Brown Sugar, which has taken home accolades for Best Series at major festivals including the International Newark Film Festival in 2019. Her work has also won awards at the Austin Revolution Film Festival, the Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival, the International Black Film Festival, and others. Tamala holds a MBA in Media Management and currently teaches business on a collegiate level. Tamala is the founder of Soul Kisses Productions, a production company based in NYC. Tamala has worked with Billboard Charting artists like Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Mandy Moore, and Snoop Dogg; with major record labels like Warner Brothers, Columbia, Universal and for mega brands such as Energizer, Vans, Photobucket, Myspace, and Eventful throughout her career.
Tuesday P. Brooks, MBA is a business owner, educator, trusted tax & accounting advisor, and proud US veteran. Her role with a self-help housing advocacy organization, boutique CPA tax firm, and private equity investment firm precipitated the launch of a financial management firm of her own. Her company, AJOY, is committed to improving profitability of micro and small business enterprises. Tuesday’s vision is to foster exponential growth of financially-sound wxmen-led companies that employ, across the US, both for profit and non-profit. As such, she works tirelessly providing direction to aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start and grow. Her keen knowledge in the area of accounting for small business, makes bookkeeping, tax compliance, credit readiness, and cash flow management accessible to early-stage business owners. To date, she has educated more than 2800 aspiring entrepreneurs, and has developed strong relationships with community-based organizations and government agencies that provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs and freelancers primarily through one-to-one coaching, workshops, and business curriculum development. Tuesday is a frequently sought panel presenter and workshop facilitator and has been honored multiple years as a Best For New York Changemaker.
Tuesday holds a Master of Business Administration from Metropolitan College of New York in Media Management, Master of Arts degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Her financial management firm, AJOY, specializes in ventures in media, sports, entertainment, beauty, fashion, and wellness.
