EMPOWERING BLACK MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS

by carrying the burden of debt and costs of education and training through financial reparations.

Providing Student Loan
Debt Relief

Repairing Persistent Racial
Economic Inequalities

A Practical Step Towards
Racial Reconciliation

Our Community Needs More Black Mental Health Counselors.

However, less than 19% of mental health counselors in America are Black. As more Black individuals attend therapy, issues surrounding racial trauma can be better addressed through a more culturally appropriate lens. Furthermore, Black individuals tend to seek out clinicians who share their racial/ethnic identity.

Our work increases the access to and representation of Black mental health counselors by reducing their academic and professional financial burden through the redistribution of wealth.

Saying “I’m sorry” is insufficient. This work invites the dominant culture to careful action through financial repair of the wealth gap. We also invite all who have a passion for righting injustices and who want to see an increase in the number of Black counselors to contribute.

We Believe That Racial Justice is Possible and Practical.

A Black woman therapist in a coral sweater points to a clipboard while talking to a Black person

We acknowledge that reconciliation and reparations are an attempt at bridging the wealth gap created by persistent racial inequality. We want to:

  • Strengthen and provide support to Black mental health professional counselors by providing student loan debt relief, supervision grants, scholarships, and mentorship.

  • Increase equitable representation by growing the number of culturally competent, licensed, or licensed-eligible Black mental health counselors.

  • Cultivate a community where all people have equal access to quality, affordable, and culturally competent mental health services.

Screenshot of a YouTube video picturing a Black woman and man walking in a yard with a white woman reporter

In-Depth Look At The Lack Of Diversity In Mental Health Professionals

“According to the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association, just 4 percent of psychologists in the U.S. are Black, and only 2 percent of psychiatrists are Black. NBC News reports on what’s being done to change that.”

Screenshot from CNN with headline and photo of a Black man with a beard sitting in a red chair outside

Here’s Why Black Leaders Say The Student Loan Crisis is a Civil Rights Issue

“Tony Montgomery has been forced to put off his law school plans and can’t afford to buy a home or pay for health insurance because he’s drowning in $30,000 of student loan debt.

Montgomery, a home-school teacher and tutor from Mansfield, Texas, said he’s had to pick up night shifts at a local grocery store to pay his student loan bills. He’s currently living with his mother and helps her out financially…”

A diverse group of people sitting in a circle so their hands and legs are visible

Apology to People of Color for APA’s Role in Promoting, Perpetuating, and Failing to Challenge Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Human Hierarchy in U.S.

“The American Psychological Association failed in its role leading the discipline of psychology, was complicit in contributing to systemic inequities, and hurt many through racism, racial discrimination, and denigration of people of color, thereby falling short on its mission to benefit society and improve lives. APA is profoundly sorry, accepts responsibility for, and owns the actions and inactions of APA itself, the discipline of psychology, and individual psychologists who stood as leaders for the organization and field…”

What People Are Saying

  • "As a therapist for almost three decades, I am deeply grateful for BMHCR. Our community and our world need more Black therapists. The cost of education has made graduate school and even college either impossible or of great financial strain for so many individuals. It should not be a barrier that creates less diversity among therapists and I believe bMhCR has the power to make a profound difference."

    Sissy Goff, M.Ed, LPC-MHSP, CCATP

  • "The foundation has been life-changing. The foundation has provided me with a hope that I never knew was obtainable. The immense gratitude that I have could hardly ever be described in words, but it feels parallel to the word Grace."

    Drea Pryor, LMFT

  • "When I was in graduate school studying to become a mental health counselor, someone graciously paid for a semester of my academic fees. The relief that this provided was more substantial than the amount of money that was given. Someone believed in what I was doing and studying, and they wanted to be in the healing story with me. The mental health field has historically been underrepresented by minority therapists, and BMHCR is aimed directly at pushing back against that problem. When I heard that BMHCR was being created to come alongside therapists of color, not as charity but as an act of amends, I gave to the fund without hesitation."

    Samuel Rainey, M.A., LPC-MHSP

A young Black woman with braids smiles while talking to a Black therapist

How This Works

90% of all contributions go directly to student debt relief, scholarships, and supervision grants. The remaining 10% go towards supporting our operational costs.

We are currently paying off the student loan of a participant who is a practicing mental health counselor in Nashville.

More information on participant selection and how to apply coming soon.

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