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About us.

Psyches of Color, Inc. was founded by Dr. Tierra T. Ellis and is focused on decreasing the stigma of mental health in Black and Latinx communities by providing mental health support using strengths-based, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed approaches and through a transformative justice lens. We are youth-led as we lift the voices of our youth and families.

 

Meet the Board of Directors!

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Tierra T. Ellis Ph.D., LP, NCSP

Board Member – Founder & Executive Director 

PROGRAM CHAIR – VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION, Exert Your Voice, & Black & Brown Minds M.A.T.T.E.R

Dr. Tierra T. Ellis proudly considers herself a servant leader. Dr. Tierra earned her doctorate degree in School Psychology at Howard University and graduated from Arizona State University in 2012 with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and African and African American Studies and a minor in Dance. Dr. Tierra is a Licensed Clinical and School Psychologist. She is the CEO of Ellis Psychological Services and co-owner of Authentically Black Services LLC. She is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University. 

Dr. Tierra is a Community Psychologist; she is the Founder of Psyches of Color, Inc. and was a 2020 Fellow in the Youth Justice Leadership Institute (YJLI) within the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN). Dr. Tierra is also a member of Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySr), an independent non-profit organization, where she actively participates in the Abolition Group. The Abolition Group is centered on decoupling law enforcement and mental health and its aims are to transform a society that does not include incarceration. 

 Dr. Tierra began advocating for court-involved youth immediately after the conclusion of her Bachelor of Art degrees at Arizona State University. She began working at Telecare Corporation where she worked with individuals on probation or parole with a serious mental illness in Los Angeles, California. She assisted them in their transition back into the community, which varied on an individual level. Dr. Tierra has worked with youth charged as adults in the criminal justice system, receiving general and special education services in 11 different prisons at the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation – Workforce Development and Adult Learning. She conducted cognitive assessments, clinical interviews, functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), teacher consultations, and counseling (e.g., individual and group) to adolescents and young adults. She also served as an assessment track extern that performed court-ordered psychological and psychoeducational assessments for adjudicated minors ages 8-18 years (weekly) at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia – Child Guidance Clinic.

Dr. Tierra published a chapter in the book, Students with Parents Involved in Substance Abuse or Dependence (2020) and is currently completing a chapter in the book, Social Justice in Supervision and Field Experiences (in preparation). Dr. Tierra’s scholarship includes dismantling the school to prison pipeline, destigmatizing mental health in Black and Latinx communities, culturally relevant interventions for Black and Latinx youth, and the representation of Black students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Dr. Tierra loves creating interventions that emphasize the importance of giving Black and Latinx youth a voice. She is the creator of the Black Minds M.A.T.T.E.R intervention, a  trauma-informed positive youth development group, centered on decreasing the stigma of mental health in the Black community. She later modified and included Latinx youth into the program for which it is now called Black and Brown Minds M.A.T.T.E.R, which now includes Latinx adolescents and young adults. 

Her goal is to dismantle the school to prison pipeline by assisting at-promise Black and Latinx youth with their journey of radical healing, a strengths-based approach to building the capacity of how people respond to their environment that results in the overall well-being of the individual. Dr. Tierra is an advocate of all things mental health! WE all need therapists! She enjoys traveling, reading, and playing her guitar. She is a plant-based foodie and enjoys experimenting with new raw vegan and alkaline dishes! Dr. Tierra also loves all things music, dance, and fitness.

Email: tierra@psychesofcolor.org

Learn more

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Lamar R. Ellis

Board Member

Program Chair – Lamar’s Thoughts & Faults Blog

Lamar R. Ellis is an Arizona native and currently an inmate who was victim of the school to prison pipeline. Mr. Ellis has experienced the struggle of an absent father and lack of guidance while growing up in the raw streets of Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Ellis is always seeking ways to make change and break barriers of racial injustices. He is a firm believer of daily self-affirmations to maintain emotional equilibrium. He aims to instill in youth the importance of proving to themselves that they can soar and fly like an eagle and be the next president, engineers, great fathers, and overall great people through his blog writing and work behind the scenes.

Email: lamar@psychesofcolor.org

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Sahran Hamit, Ph.D

Board Member – Interim Secretary 

PROGRAM CHAIR-Mentoring POC, Strategic Fundraising Team

Dr. Sahran Hamit is a clinical therapist in Los Angeles county, providing mental health services to children and their families. Dr. Hamit earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology at Howard University. Her dissertation research examined the impact of parental support on entry and persistence in STEM education for African American undergraduate students. Dr. Hamit’s other scholarly works center on microaggressions, race related issues, and post-secondary education, respectively. Prior to obtaining her doctorate, she received a Masters degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Forensic Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Hamit has spent her career serving the needs of culturally diverse communities. Dr. Hamit is a strong believer in strengthening an individual through strengthening the family, community, and sense of self.  

Email: sahran@psychesofcolor.org

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Myisha J. Driver-Woods, Ph.D., LP., LMFT, IFECMHS-RPFII

Board Member – Treasurer

Program Chair –  Nurturing POC

Dr. Myisha J. Driver-Woods believes whole-heartedly in the power of relationships and the resiliency of individuals and communities. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a California Endorsed Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Reflective Practice Facilitator II. Prior to earning her doctorate, she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University.

Dr. Driver-Woods has more than 20 years of experience in the field of psychology and has committed her career to serving the mental health needs of culturally and ethnically diverse children, adolescents, families, and communities. In her career she has served in a variety of roles including direct clinical service, advocacy, consultation, administration, and program development in a wide range of environments including community mental health, residential treatment, day treatment, hospital, and primary care settings throughout Los Angeles County. Dr. Driver-Woods is also passionate about mental health education and supporting the ongoing professional development of others through training and reflective supervision. She is an experienced trainer and has facilitated trainings for local, state, and national organizations. Dr. Driver-Woods’ research interests include the role of fathers on development in early childhood, the integration of infant mental health into medical settings, maternal mental health, and parenting.

Dr. Driver-Woods is a proud native of Compton, California and was taught early in life that “WE” are the village and that it is our responsibility to share our gifts and talents with one another and the world. Dr. Driver-Woods considers herself a lifelong learner and enjoys reading, watching shows and listening to podcasts about ancient history, and archeology. She enjoys, live music concerts and considers herself an “old-school hip-hop head”. Dr. Driver-Woods strives to practice gratitude and is thankful for the struggles and triumphs of the ancestors and uses her personal and professional experiences to promote mental health and wellness and advocate for social and racial justice.

Email: myisha@psychesofcolor.org

Meet the Youth Leaders & Program Chairs!

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Virginia “VA” Parker

Program Chair- Family Support 

Virginia Parker graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University earning a Master of Arts degree in Psychology with a Clinical concentration. Virginia’s thesis examined alcohol and illicit drugs with a focus on gender, attitudes, and family history. Currently, she is studying for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) to become a Licensed Psychological Associate.

Whether Virginia is working with children, adolescents, or adults, she collaborates with the community by serving as a Crisis Intervention Volunteer. Recently, she served as a Personal Services Coordinator where she assisted transitional-aged youth that identified as high risk with serious mental illnesses and multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. She was also a Step-Down Case Manager on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team where she supported adults and geriatrics diagnosed with schizophrenia and co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety. Her passion and mission are to improve the lives of individuals and families by increasing their self-worth and using that power to execute and excel in all areas of their lives.

Virginia’s areas of clinical interest include children and families connected with social services, adjustment and trauma reactions, and substance use disorders. Her areas of interest also include supporting individuals with interpersonal difficulties, schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Her treatment approach is tailored specifically to the client and may include play therapy, person-centered, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).  

Virginia enjoys conducting psychological, educational, and personality assessments where she assists with accurate diagnosing and treatment planning. Earlier in her career, she was able to provide that support while working as a Psychometrist and she is currently striving to continue to excel in the profession.

Email: virginia@psychesofcolor.org

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Kaitlyn Demerjian 

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Kaitlyn is currently a college student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in Los Angeles County. She has a strong passion for advocating the importance of mental health, and aspires to pursue a masters program in psychology and receive a marriage and family therapy license in the future. Her goal is to reduce the stigma of mental health for marginalized groups and to promote the use of positive psychology to help the well being of individuals.

 

Email: kaitlyn@psychesofcolor.org

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Zina Ogunnaya, B.A.

Program Chair – Penpal POC, Strategic Fundraising Team

Zina Ogunnaya is a UC Berkeley alumnus and first-generation Nigerian immigrant who resides in Los Angeles County. Her experiences with mental illness at the age of 23 led her to explore innovative ways to promote mental health care in communities from underserved backgrounds.

She is a certified crisis counselor and professionally trained dancer of 18 years who serves as a youth activist trainer through Truth Initiative- a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to addressing predatory practices in the commercialized tobacco industry. Zina began her work in youth engagement and dance activism in 2016 with this organization.

As a fellow, she produced a short film and directed a dance media campaign on smoke-free environments with high school students in the Bay Area. Zina currently facilitates workshops that employ art, with an emphasis on the art of dance, as a creative gateway into mental health and substance prevention dialogue. ” – Zina Ogunnaya, BA Public Health & Dance Performance Studies

Email: zina@psychesofcolor.org

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Stephen Walker, MBA

Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Stephen Walker is an Academic Coach in the TRIO Student Support Services program at Kutztown University.  He is also an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh Carbon Community College.  Walker earned his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University and an MBA from Kutztown University.  He is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh with a focus on the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and hip-hop culture. 

Stephen had humble beginnings growing up in a large family in poverty.  He is the youngest child and one of several adopted children.  He is a first-generation college graduate and will become the first in his family to earn his Doctorate degree which will help him create systematic change and inspire the communities he aims to serve.

Stephen went from being a teenager in Allentown, Pennsylvania attending after school programs with mentors to providing the same mentorship to the youth in the community. He is currently on the board at The Caring Place and is a member of the Lehigh Valley Health Network Board of Associates.  Stephen is very passionate about entrepreneurship education and has been a frequent guest speaker for Lehigh Valley My Brother’s Keeper events, Community Actions Start Your Own Business program, and a guest lecturer in Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Teen Entrepreneurship Summer Camp. 

Stephen has future plans to help build educational pathways for marginalized communities where he lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania and plans to invest not only in scholarship but also entrepreneurs.  The long-term vision for Stephen is to build an educational institution that caters to the support of innovation, education, and entrepreneurship helping marginalized communities.

Email: stephen@psychesofcolor.org

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Jai McGloun-Walker

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Jai McGloun-Walker is a student at Kutztown University studying Psychology with minors in Spanish and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has experience mentoring youth transitioning from high school to college with the TRIO Program at Kutztown University. She also has experience working with populations affected by Substance Use Disorder and wants to further work with them after graduating college. Jai is excited to provide an outlet for Black and Brown youth through the Exert Your Voice program and the art of Hip-Hop.

Email: jai@psychesofcolor.org

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Mayra Reyes

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Mayra Reyes is a first generation college student studying at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona under a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was born and raised in East Los Angeles with parents from Tepatlaxco Puebla, Mexico. She values her Mexican culture and is proud to be a part of it. Mayra also loves to express herself through her masculinity and femininity outwardly and internally. She believes in psychological practices as well as holistic practices. Her strong interests in learning and practicing these two practices have been a significant part of her life. One day she hopes to merge both her interests of psychological and holistic practices and provide a safe space and other helpful services for individuals in need.

Email: mayra@psychesofcolor.org

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Jaime Marquez

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Jaime Marquez was born and raised in East LA. He is a first-generation queer chicano student at Cal State University, Fullerton. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a motive of combining spirituality in order to aspire and formulate ways of bringing positive reinforcement and healing for the wellbeing of mind, body, and soul. He is passionate about the well-being, collectively and individually, for many underrepresented minority groups and inner-standing the importance of mental health. 

Email: jaime@psychesofcolor.org

 

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Jacklyn Garcia

Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Jacklyn Garcia is from La puente, California. She is a first-generation college student currently attending Cal Poly Pomona-pursing a degree in psychology with a clinical emphasis.  Jacklyn is proud to be Latina;  which ignites her passion for diminishing the stigmas against mental health amongst the Latinx community. She hopes the embodiment of normalizing generational, personal, and system- induced traumas will cause a ripple effect of mental healing amongst Latino/x and Black community. Her aim is to provide a safe space for those on their healing journeys, empower them by acknowledging their strengths, and break down barriers through culturally relevant practices. 

Email: jacklyn@psychesofcolor.org

 

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Paula Phan

Youth Lead Chair – Family Support

Paula Phan is currently a student at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) for mental health counseling. She was born in Illinois but Florida raised. Her hobbies include furniture repurposing, reading and going to the gym. 

Email: paula@psychesofcolor.org

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Monique Woolridge

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Monique Woolridge is a 24-year-old Mexican-American student at Cal Poly Pomona pursuing her bachelors degree in Psychology.  She was born and raised in Anaheim, California. She is a first generation college student who desires to become a Masters of Family Therapist (MFT) after the conclusion of obtaining a Master’s Degree. Growing up in a primarily hispanic community where mental illness isn’t acknowledged in a majority of households. Monique wants to open the discussion of what mental health is and how it should be expressed in the Latinx culture.

Email: monique@psychesofcolor.org

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Nayeli Diaz-Parada

Youth Program Chair – Exert Your Voice

Nayeli Diaz-Parada was born and raised in Covina, California. She is currently attending Cal Poly Pomona as a first generation student. She is in her third year as a psychology major and is planning to graduate early! She aspires to become a trained psychologist either in the clinical or counseling field. She is very passionate when it comes to helping people, especially those in the Latinx culture – her culture – when it comes to mental health. She believes that we all should support and be there for one another in times of need. She is also a volunteer at Tri-City Mental Health. She also has experience mentoring others from a program called “Colt Link” where she supported and guided freshmen to be successful in their first year of high school. Her goal is to heal, promote the importance of mental health, support those who are hurting, and guide everyone toward a brighter path! 

Email: nayeli@psychesofcolor.org

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Cintia Alaniz, B.A.

Youth Program Chair – Mentoring POC

Cintia Alaniz is a doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology Program at Indiana University, Bloomington. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2021. She is interested in identifying the specific mechanisms that contribute to the success of first-generation Latina/o/x undocumented/DACAmented college students in higher education. She would also like to collaborate with underserved communities and provide better access to mental health services. More specifically, she her goals are to provide therapy in Spanish to undocumented and immigrant communities.

Email: cintia@psychesofcolor.org

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Lirio Pelayo

Youth Program Chair – Family Support

Lirio Pelayo was born and raised in Los Angeles California. She is a 22-year-old first-generation college student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology, along with a minor in Spanish. She has a passion for helping others in need. She wants to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with a forensic emphasis. Although she is still exploring her career options, she is very interested in victims’ advocacy, forensic psychology, children, and counseling. Through Psyches of Color, she seeks to gain more knowledge on how to support and help family members in need, especially ones who are incarcerated, experienced loss tragedy, have children with diverse abilities, and many more. Her goal is to make an impact in the world by helping those in need and making sure that they are aware that they are not alone in this world and that there is always someone who will care and help.

Email: lirio@psychesofcolor.org

Meet our Staff!

Jessica Flores

Jessica Flores, MPH

Community Outreach and Volunteer Services Coordinator – USC Keck School of Medicine

Jessica Flores is a current USC Keck School of Medicine Master of Public Health student – with a focus in Community Health Promotion – and is completing her practicum with Psyches of Color, Inc. She graduated from USC with a BS in Human Biology and a minor in Spanish in 2018. She hopes that, with her MPH degree, she can help improve disparities in access to healthcare, specifically those that affect minoritized groups. One of her passions is helping reduce disparities in access to and use of mental health services affecting these groups. Through Psyches of Color, she is hoping to gain more knowledge of how to use strategies like radical healing and strengths-based approaches to help reduce these disparities and their impact on these communities. 

Email: jessica@psychesofcolor.org

Meet our Interns!

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Willmary Carrasco

Creative Video Editor Intern – POC

Willmary Carrasco is currently pursing a bachelor’s degree in Cinema Television and Media at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and immigrated at the age of eight to Allentown, Pennsylvania where she was raised. Willmary is super passionate about films, music, and art! She aspires to tell stories that resonate with the Black and Latino communities through films and music. She also aspires to increase mental health awareness and provide entertainment to those communities while representing their cultures. 

Email: willmary@psychesofcolor.org

Meet our Graduated Interns!

Jessica Flores

Jessica Flores, BA

Community Outreach and Volunteer Services Coordinator – USC Keck School of Medicine

Jessica Flores is a current USC Keck School of Medicine Master of Public Health student – with a focus in Community Health Promotion – and is completing her practicum with Psyches of Color, Inc. She graduated from USC with a BS in Human Biology and a minor in Spanish in 2018. She hopes that, with her MPH degree, she can help improve disparities in access to healthcare, specifically those that affect minoritized groups. One of her passions is helping reduce disparities in access to and use of mental health services affecting these groups. Through Psyches of Color, she is hoping to gain more knowledge of how to use strategies like radical healing and strengths-based approaches to help reduce these disparities and their impact on these communities. 

Email: jessica@psychesofcolor.org

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Larissa Ngozi Nzinga Wolf, B.sc 

POC Psychology Intern – Leiden University (The Netherlands)

Larissa N. Wolf is a current Leiden University Master of Psychology student from Germany – with a focus on Health & Medical Psychology. She is completing her internship as part of her degree program remotely with Psyches of Color, Inc. She graduated from Hildesheim Universität (Germany) with a BSC in Psychology in 2021.

Larissa is our first intern from an international university and she aspires to become a Bpoc psychotherapist in Germany specialised for BIPOC mental health needs and minoritized groups (LGBTQIA+). One of her passions is empowering individuals to develop healthy lifestyles to prevent the development of chronic disease and maintain health especially in at-promise Black & Latinx individuals.

Through Psyches of Color, she is hoping to gain knowledge and skills on provision of community-support, health stigmatization, and on how to implement both culturally-relevant and strength-based approaches to promote Radical Healing and resource activation.