STOPPING STIGMA: IN BLACK FATHERHOOD, IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND IN MENTAL HEALTH

Young Fathers of Central Florida Executive Director, Haki Nkrumah and Qwazay Crawford discussed all the programs they offer in support of fathers 12-24. The non-profit guides dads through mentoring, employment and family mediation. They also present Fatherhood Week Events starting June 9th – 14th at the Callahan and Grand Avenue Community Centers. To find out more about the event and the programs offered visit their website www.youngfathersofcentralflorida.com or email [email protected] Visit their office at 527 N. Mills Avenue in Orlando or call 407/286-4320. Come Out With Pride is a local organization that hosts the largest Pride Parade in the Southeast (Oct. 18th @ Lake Eola). Their support for the LGBTQ community includes the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. “Love and Liberation” will be Saturday June 21st with the goal of pointing out that a person can be LGBTQ and still celebrate their black heritage. Note: Pride Month was started in June 1970 after the 1969 raid of the famous Stonewall nightclub in New York city. Many were injured or killed in the melee, but it was noted that a black trans woman spoke up asking, “So what are we going to do?” Hence the start of the Come Out With Pride movement. However, it wasn’t until former President Bill Clinton and later Barack Obama acknowledged the month officially. In our discussion we also talked about the suicide rate for people in the LGBTQ community because of ostracism…..if you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please call 988. For more information about all their upcoming events (Family Trans Picnic – September 8th, Trans Day of Visibility in March 2026, etc.) visit www.comeoutwithpride.org Discussing the Stigma of Mental Health, Dr. Letitia Brown-James who has two companies to treat those in need, reminded us it is time to fight the shame, stigma, and fear of judgment of reaching out for mental health assistance. She said that our Body, Mind & Spirit must be in alignment for our mental health to balance. She gave simple daily remedies to do intentionally; read, move, talk to a friend, eat a snack, enjoy the sunshine, sing, or dance. When that doesn’t help, seeing a therapist might work and you should do so without stigma. Dr. Brown-James reminded us that kids who become silent, easily agitated, or isolated may be struggling with their mental health. If you have insurance call her Victorious Living Counseling service at 321/209-8219 ext. 1 or if you don’t have insurance call LBJ Behavioral Services 407/368-9848 ext. 1 The National Suicide Hotline 988 – Or Text the word HOME to 741741- Both lines are FREE and Confidential