New partnerships created with Harlem Hospital and New York City Department of Education strengthens campaign and extends reach…Last night in their New Jersey home, Malaak Compton-Rock, founder and director of the Angel Rock Project and wife of comedian, Chris Rock hosted an emotion-filled fundraiser for the “Healing Starts With Us” national campaign in honor of May, the National Mental Health Month. The national campaign mission is to create an open dialogue about emotional distress in minority communities, through awareness and education.
“We are happy to support our dear friend Terrie and the ‘Healing Starts With Us’ campaign. We truly respect her courage and her efforts to help others battle depression”, said Malaak and Chris Rock. “Her book Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting is not just an awesome healing tool, it’s a statement: ‘Healing Starts With Us.’”
Campaign spokesman and journalist Jeff Johnson encouraged those in attendance: ABC News’ Deborah Roberts; WWOR-TV’s Brenda Blackmon; Anwan ‘Slim’ Glover, actor from HBO’s The Wire; Dennis M. Walcott, New York City Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg and many more to, “commit to being the catalyst of change in the lives of someone else.” To lead the charge on behalf of the evening’s title sponsor B-DiGi, an online multi-media company, Ron Dixon and Andre Washington of The Dixon Group presented a $25,000 check pledging their support of the campaign’s goal of reaching one million pledges by Independence Day.
The evening also served to unveil new partnerships with Harlem Hospital and the New York City Board of Education, as the campaign targets four cornerstones: schools, hospitals, religious institutions, and precincts to strengthen the campaign and extend its reach locally and nationally. In addition, 12 local students from The Art Institute of New York City gained invaluable experience serving in various capacities during the event. Under the guidance of Donna Holder, Career Service Advisor at the Arts Institute of New York City and former intern in the Terrie Plus One mentoring and shadowing program, the campaign continues to build alliances.
Similar to the campaign’s launch at the historic Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center, (formerly The Audubon Ballroom) invited guests read excerpts from Terrie M. Williams’ latest book, BLACK PAIN: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting, which serves as the impetus for the campaign, and shared their own personal stories about depression. Among them was Malaak’s personal story about her aunt battling depression.
The “Healing Starts With Us” campaign was created and produced by Xavier Artis of the Artis Connection. Sponsors for the evening, joining the campaign’s Committee of Sponsors, dedicated in support of the campaign to empower and influence the community: B-DiGi, The Shark Bar, Pernod-Ricard USA , Hue-Man Bookstore & Café, Cake Man Raven, and Michael Robinson.
www.www.healingstartswithus.net
Photo of Malaak Rock, Deborah Roberts,Brenda Blackmon, Terrie WilliamsKick-off May, Mental Health Month Supporting National Campaign
Shanique W. Bonelli, 732-491-5504, PR@healingstartswithus.net
LaVenia J. LaVelleShanique, 917-858-9378, PR@healingstartswithus.net
