Meet Our Team

Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley, LMSW

Executive Director/Founder

With over 16 years of mental health experience, Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley is the Founder/Executive Director of Healing Black Women which serves as a safe space designed to encourage and promote all forms of wellness/healing for black women. She is also the Chief Editor of HealingBlackWomen.com.

Laqwanda is a suicide attempt survivor who manages Bipolar I Disorder and PTSD. She is no stranger to outpatient treatment, hospitalization, and crisis intervention. At one point in her mental health journey, she was unable to work, live on her own, or care for her child. Through several treatment failures and successes, Laqwanda has been able to experience recovery in order to support herself and serve her community. 
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Today, she is an established/nationally recognized speaker and has spoken on various platforms/panels with entities such as Eventbrite, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), DC Jazz Festival, Austin Black Pride, Environmental Protection Agency, Council on Social Work Minority Fellowship Program, Kaiser Permanente, Entrepreneurs’ Organization and local county governments to name a few.
 
Laqwanda is a Licensed Master's Social Worker. More recently, she served as the Coordinator of Diverse Students' Mental & Wellness for Mississippi State University, and held the position of Director of Outreach for the national office of Mental Health America. In addition, she has served on the Board of Directors for Recover Program Solutions of Virginia, Inc. and NAMI Northern Virginia.  As a Black Queer woman and mental health provider, she understands the importance of inclusiveness and has extensive experience supporting individuals from diverse and underrepresented populations/communities. 

She is the Host of Minding Your Purpose Podcast,  Host of the Youtube show Livestream Wellness Series, and the Content Creator for the Youtube Channel Laqwanda. In addition, she has demonstrated her passion for self-care as a former Writing Contributor with PsychCentral.com through the blog Self-Care Today.
 
 Laqwanda is a Reiki Master, Certified Life Coach, holds a Master of Science in Social Work, a Bachelor of Art in Sociology and plans to pursue future studies in African American history.
 
Laqwanda lives life by the simple words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The purpose of life is not to be happy, it is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” It is her goal that the work done in her life touches and inspires the lives of others. 
​@laqwanda





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MEME EDWARDS

Mental Health & Wellness Associate

Meme is a personal lifestyle blogger with a passion for advocacy & social justice. Having been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2008, she's managed to fight the disorder meanwhile making strides towards eradicating the many stigmas associated with mental health issues.
@Mechosen2002
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CAROLINE L’IMPÉRATRICE 

Holistic Health Wellness Associate

Caroline is a Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Metaphysician, Yoga Teacher & Yoni Steam Practitioner. In 2007, after dealing with chronic inflammatory issues for years, she started her natural healing journey by reconnecting with her body's capacity to heal itself and consciously applying the power of her mind. Graduated in professional theater, her passion and interests then turned towards becoming a holistic lifestyle coach, motivating her to complete various trainings in healthy eating, herbal and essential oil care, homemade natural products, energy healing, holistic consultation and applied metaphysics. ​
​@Wildflowers_in_the_sun

MOLOVE J SIMMONS

Motivational Wellness Associate

MoLove is an Educator, Entrepreneur, Advocate, MoLove spends her life working to help others become who they want to be with small steps in achieving their greatness. She was born an Artist and became an educator by destiny. She created her first business at the age of 10 by using both natural born skills. She continues to growth her entrepreneurships under the umbrella of MoLoveMadeIt LLC. 
@MoLoveMadeIt

MIKEYA KIRKSEY

Podcast Co-Host 

Mikeya Kirksey, BA graduate of Johnson & Wales University with over 15 years in food service Mgmt but has a heart to serve people.  Currently working as director of workforce development with DC Central Kitchen helping people with high barriers develop culinary skills while build life skills. Born and raised in PG county, currently a resident of Charles county. A single mom with two boys.  Mikeya is an amateur bodybuilder and an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, INC.  My purpose and desire is help other women navigate through the ups and downs that come with life by sharing my life experiences and linking hands with them as they grow through theirs.
@keyablue3

TARCHELLE BRYANT

Mental Health & Wellness Associate

Tarchelle Bryant, known online as Tarchelle B, is a Certified Life Coach, Art Therapy Coach, Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health Advocate, and Social Media Influencer who helps her clients thrive in their lives despite living with depression or other mental and emotional obstacles.

ZARIA NEWBILL

Motivational Wellness Associate

Zaria Newbill, Founder of the Nonprofit N.O.M.O. ( Navigating Omitted Minds Overtime) for Black Transwomen and also the Founder of Bemmoe Inspiration an Inspirational Channel giving daily insightful moments to start your day. She also, sits on the Board of Directors for Healing Black Women where black women of various backgrounds share healing spaces of all aspects of life for all women. Zarion has worked over a decade in mental health. Now she works as an educator as a Second Grade teacher. Zarion holds a Psychology Degree, Certified Life Coaching certificate and has been ordained as a Spiritual Counselor. “Believing the sky has no limit” is Zarion’s mantra. Zarion’s life experiences of good and bad makes her the relentless person she is today.
@queenamunet

MARJORIE E. ROBERTS

Chief Financial Officer 

Marjorie E. Roberts is a professional with a diverse background in banking, finance, insurance, customer service and business ownership spanning over 18 years. She offers mentorship on how to establish a business, register with agencies and successfully bid on government contracts. Her passion for financial wellness extends beyond the corporate world as she has established herself as a financial educator within her community. In this capacity, Marjorie has taught numerous classes in both the public-school system as well as faith-based institutions. She is also the Owner/CEO of Right Destination Travel.
@marjorieroberts13

LINDSAY ANDERSON 

Mental Health & Wellness Associate 

Lindsay Anderson is the founder of Consciously Coping, a mental illness advocate, and the creator of #transparencytuesday. As an African American woman who is clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder, sharing her success and struggles within the mental health community is an honest passion. 
​@consciouslycoping

RENEE

Graphic Design Intern 

Renee is a student and artist. She is interested in reading, writing, and art. Her future plans include obtaining a degree in creative writing and minoring in Japanese. 

SHEILA KING 

Mental Health & Recovery Associate

Sheila King holds an Associate of Art in Liberal Studies. She has served women experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC for years. She has experience in crisis de-escalation, conflict resolution, and group facilitation. She is passionate about mental health and substance use issues. As a Black woman with mental health concerns, she wants to support all black women on their mental health journey.  
@mother_of_my_girls

CRYSTAL R. ROBERTS

Executive Assistant & Logistics Manager

Crystal is the Content Creator for the Youtube Channel Krystal Renee. Her channel focuses on motivational cleaning and DIY videos to help you push through the hard days. No matter if you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, or just a bad day, her channel will inspire you to make each and every day not only productive but possible. 
@Khrystal.Renee

CYNITRA F. OLIVER

Financial Wellness Associate  

A wife of 10yrs to the love of my life, and proud mother to an 18yr old daughter. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., in which I have dedicated my time and financial expertise to the Financial Secretary role for my local chapter. As well as my current role as the chapter Parliamentarian. I have worked in the financial industry for over 17 years and have held several roles; from Licensed Banker to Branch Manager to Women’s Business Advocate. My goal/aspiration is to become financially free from all debt and create wealth for my family and all those I encounter; leaving behind a legacy for my daughter to continue. I love spending time with close friends and family. 
@CynitraOliver

​TAMIKA BECK

Support Group Coordinator

Tamika Major is a Certified Life Coach, Accredited Mediation 
Practitioner, and Small Business Owner of Momentz by Mika and Mika Major Media.  My entire existence was devastated by the sudden passing of my older sister. The grief and darkness that I encountered changed my life in so many ways. As a Healer, I use my stories of hurt, loss, and growth as tools of empowerment. My passion is to teach others who are living under the heaviness of illness, grief, and fear, the life-changing benefits of choosing to heal.

@_Life.love.loss_

​MIRRALLE BENNET

Self-Care & Wellness Associate

​Mirralle is in the Coast Guard Reserve, and Logistics Specialist as a civilian for the Army. Self Care has been a focus for the last 6 years, after being left empty it was time to fill my cup with love, be kind to myself for all that brought me to the place I was in life. Im here to normalize self care, we often spend is much time caring for others and forget about self. It’s important we as black women need to prioritize caring for self.   
@Justmirralle_

​TAJA WATKINS - SCOTT 

Physical Health & Wellness Associate

​My name is Taja Watkins-Scott and professionally, I am a holistic bodywork therapist specializing in Swedish massage, sports massage and rehabilitation and acupuncture. Personally, I would describe myself as a nurturer and spiritual being navigating the human experience of life and while on this journey I am using my gifts to bring love, light and healing to as many people as I possibly can to raise the vibration of the world around us. I am a firm believer that our health should be considered holistically as every aspect of our lives;  physically, spiritually and emotionally are all interconnected. I take this approach with my own life and treat my clients accordingly. Although I am a bodywork therapist, many of my clients have found a safe space in me to be vulnerable and let go of anxieties they may be holding on to. As someone who also lives with anxiety it warms my heart that others can find a safe haven in me to let go of theirs. 
​ @Mahtajmidasliving