Meet Our Team

Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley, LMSW

Owner/Founder

With over 17 years of social service experience, Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley is the Founder 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 1 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), Austin Black Pride, Environmental Protection Agency, Council on Social Work Minority Fellowship Program, Kaiser Permanente, Entrepreneurs’ Organization and local county government departments to name a few.
 
Currently, she is a Licensed Master's Social Worker and Behavioral Health Specialist. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Outreach for the National Office of Mental Health America. She serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI Northern Virginia and Recover Program Solutions of Virginia, Inc. 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’s Heart. In addition, she has demonstrated her passion for self-care as a former Writing Contributor with PsychCentral.com through the blog Self-Care Today.
 
She routinely shares her personal experiences with Bipolar Disorder and PTSD to assist in the fight to end the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Laqwanda is a Reiki II Practitioner, Certified Life Coach, holds a Master of Science in Social Work, a Bachelor of Art in Sociology and will begin her studies towards her Doctor of Social Work in 2021.
 
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. 
​@laqwandasheart





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MEME

Mental Health & Wellness Contributor

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.
​Instagram:​
@Mechosen2002
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CAROLINE L’IMPÉRATRICE, MscD.

HOLISTIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR

Caroline is a Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach & Metaphysician. 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. 
Instagram:
​@Wildflowers_in_the_sun

MOLOVE J SIMMONS

Motivational Wellness Contributor

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. 
Instagram:
@MoLoveMadeIt

MARJORIE E. ROBERTS

Financial Wellness Contributor

Marjorie E. Roberts is a professional with a diverse background in banking, finance, insurance, customer service and business ownership spanning over 16 years. She offers mentorship on how to establish a business, register with agencies and successfully bid on government contracts. 
@marjorieroberts13 

TARCHELLE BRYANT

Mental Health & Wellness Contributor

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.
​@TarchelleB 

ZARION NEWBILL, BA

Motivational Wellness Contributor

Zarion Newbill, born in Hawkinsville, Ga raised in Macon, Ga where she attended a variation of both private Christian school and public schools. Zarion holds an Associate Degree in Marketing Management, Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Zarion is an advocate for all transgender women but especially for Trans women of Color. 
@queenamunet

GIOVANNA PRYOR 

Motivational Wellness Contributor

Giovanna Pryor is a self-published Author of the book Soul on Soul Contact
face your T.R.U.T.H.S head on. She is also a spiritual life coach and motivational speaker. Giovanna has the ability to speak directly to your soul.​
@giovanna_speaks1111

LINDSAY ANDERSON 

Mental Health & Wellness Contributor

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

MINNIE P. JONES

Mental Health & Wellness Contributor

Minnie Jones is a retired Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the social service field for over 17 years. She has worked in case management where she served individuals with mental health, housing, and legal concerns. She also has experience as a Mental Health Therapist for a psychiatric hospital when she provided individual and group therapy services.​

SHEILA KING 

Mental Health & Recovery Contributor

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. Instagram: 
@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. Instagram:
@Khrystal.Renee

ADRIAN M. FREEMAN

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR 

Adrian M. Freeman has been an Educator/ Teacher for 30 years. She is Mental Health First Aider, QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper and Mental Health advocate who host/ producer of the Podcast titled The El3phant in the Room: A Love Letter to Mental Health. Instagram: @The_adrian_michelle_freeman

​SKY BRITNEI, RYT-200

SPIRITUAL WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR

Sky Britnei is a Brooklyn based, spiritual and holistic wellness practitioner specializing in crystal, herbal and chakra healing. Through her services and online apothecary, she creates tools to help black women tap into mind, body and soul care. She is also the Founder of DE LA JIPI Apothecary. Made with art, healing and holistic wellness in mind, DE LA JIPI Apothecary features holistic skin care, healing crystal jewelry and spiritual tools to help people of color tap into mind, body and soul care. Instagram:
​@Delajipi

​NIKKI ROBERSON

MENTAL HEALTH & FAMILY CONTRIBUTOR

Nikki N. Roberson is a mental health advocate and mother of a special needs son all while balancing life as a lupus warrior and managing depression. Nikki uses her voice and life experiences to advocate for mental health, autism awareness, and people living with chronic illnesses. Advocacy to her is empowering and hopes that she will be able to find the right words to share her story and let other black women know they are not alone in their journey. 
Instagram:
@SparklewithNikkiNichole

​KAYCEE’ L. SARA LCSW

SPIRITUAL & MENTAL WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR 

Kaycee’ L. Sara LCSW is a heartfelt healer whose primary areas of expertise are women’s holistic wellness, forensic mental health, spirituality coaching and wellness supportive services in practice for over 15 years with Los Angeles county department of mental health. She is the founder of Lotushelps where she shares her passion providing spiritual, mental, and emotional supportive wellness services to underserved communities particularly women of color/LGBTQ+ via individual, family, group and life coaching services. Instagram:
@LotusHelps

TAMIKA BECK

GRIEF SUPPORT & RELATIONSHIP CONTRIBUTOR

Tamika Beck, a Blogger, Social Media Influencer, aspiring Wellness Coach/Meditation Practitioner, and Healing Advocate, shares her story of hurt, loss, and healing in an effort to encourage others to begin their journey. Her role as a mentor began with her being a voice for women living with reproductive illnesses like Endometriosis, where she created Periods Should (K)not Be Painful, defying the archaic belief that period pain(intense) is normal. In the midst of working to give visibility to plight of women who are made to feel invisible, Tamika’s life was impacted by the crippling devastation of grief due to the sudden passing of her sister. As a result and due to her own work of healing, her focus shifted. While advocating for the improvement in women’s health, will always be something she works for and towards, creating a space that encourages healing, freedom in spirituality, lasting friendships, and mindful wellness is the passion that fuels her purpose. Because of her own healing experiences, she is able to be a voice for the silent and silenced, showing others who are living under the heaviness of illness, grief, and fear, the life-changing benefits of seeking help to heal. She can be found on social media and her blog as Mika Major where she tells women, “because I’ve been through it, I can help you get through it.
​Instagram:
​_Life.love.loss_

MIRRALLE BENNET, MHRM

SELF-CARE & WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR 

I am a small home business Owner of Global Threads Quilting. Professionally I am in the U.S Coast Guard Reserve, full time I am a civilian for the Army, Logistics Specialist. Both jobs keep me on the go a lot and can be draining at times. In 2017 I got divorced right before an overseas deployment, I had no idea the toll this took on my mental health. I threw myself into work and being there to support shipmates, without taking the time I needed for myself. In a few short months I lost my voice and was forced to take the time I needed to recover. Which brought me to self-care and the importance of taking care of my mental, physical and emotional health. Being away from home and not having my usual outlet, of quilting was difficult, but I had to adjust and learn new ways to care for myself in the most stressful times, listening to my body, and giving it what it needed. I’m excited to share on the go self-care tips with you lovely ladies.
​Instagram:
@Justmirralle_

TAJA WATKINS-SCOTT, BS

PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR

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. Instagram: @Mahtaj_massage
 
 

EBONY HARVEY, RN

SEXUAL HEALTH & WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR

Ebony or Nurse Eb as she prefers is a holistic fertility and birth doula, fertility coach, lactation education specialist, and registered nurse by profession. She is the founder of In Harmony and Health, a pregnancy care company with a holistic approach to conception and birth that focuses on healthy pregnancies for healthy families. Nurse Eb focuses on sexual health as the catalyst for optimal conception and birth outcomes. She has a passion for educating families of color and those disproportionately affected by racial disparities in healthcare. With over 17 years of nursing-related experience, she uses her background expertise to help individuals live in optimal health and navigate the pitfalls of the healthcare system. With a passion for prevention and treating the “whole” person, Nurse Eb has a passion for holistic health and wellness. It is her belief that the body should be in harmony to reach and maintain optimal health. Instagram: @Thepurposenurse