Above the Stigma

Above the Stigma will forever be more than just an organization, it was a space to be unapologetically ourselves.

This account will be turned into a space to share personal stories and a safe space for all. Thank you for being so supportive and I will always have a special place in my heart for every single one of you 💚

🎉 Big News! 📢✨ We've just updated our mission statement and I couldn't be more thrilled to share it with all of you! 🌟💪

🌍 At Above the Stigma, we're constantly evolving to make a greater impact and bring about positive change in the world. Today, we've taken a giant leap forward by refining our mission statement to truly reflect our vision and values. 🚀💚

🔍 Our new mission statement is more than just words on paper—it's a declaration of our unwavering commitment to our cause. It embodies our collective passion, dedication, and determination to make a difference in people's lives. 💙🤝

🙌 Here's a sneak peek at our revamped mission statement:

“Above the Stigma provides services and support to ensure community college students can identify their mental health needs, access appropriate resources, and build a foundation to live above the stigma.”

✨ Together, we have the power to make a difference and leave a lasting impact. Join us as we strive for a world that's better, fairer, and filled with boundless opportunities. 🌎💙

ATS is working hard behind the scenes to establish a great leadership team that will take the Vision, Mission, and Purpose of ATS to new levels. Stay tuned for LOTS of news coming soon!

Huge announcement!!

We would like to introduce Laquina Williams, MBA, as she has stepped up to become the Treasurer for Above the Stigma!

Due to her passion to work with the community and aid small businesses with financial success, Laquina started to focus on her own company that was established back in 2009 where she is currently the CEO of LQ Accounting Professionals.

She Partnered with Dr. Scharmaine Lawson to run the Finance and Operations department as Chief Operation officer for Advanced Clinical Consultants in 2018 and worked in this partnership for up until the Covid-19 pandemic. Since 2009 Laquina has accepted several contracted CFO and Operational Leadership roles In the Greater New Orleans area in multiple industries. Specifically, to assist with financial strategies, accounting policies, Compliance procedures, and overall business growth.  Laquina is widely known for her:
Analytical, forward-thinking ability, and financial skill set. Her distinguished leadership and organizational aptitudes in maximizing customer relations, tracking business opportunities, and implementing corporate strategies; continues to strengthen her business partnerships.

These attributes aided her in collaborating with various organizations to attain excellent productivity, garner new business, and profitability growth. Proven results, achieving perfect Compliance and Financial audits working as Chief Financial Officer in the Health Care Industry, more specifically, Federally Qualified Health Care Centers with 10 plus million in revenue.
 
"Currently embracing my passions and providing my professional experience as Above the Stigma's Treasurer. I am very excited to join the Team as this Mission is destined for Greatness!"

“Above the Stigma utilizes a public health approach to provide services and support to ensure historically marginalized young adults can identify their mental health needs, access appropriate resources, and build a foundation to live above the stigma.”

✨ Meet the ATS team! ✨

🚨 New board member alert! 🚨

BJ Davis is a nonprofit executive with 25 years of experience in leadership, resource generation, strategic planning, strengths-based leadership, consulting, and organizational development. Often describing herself as an accidental fundraiser, BJ stumbled into and fell in love with fundraising on her way to becoming a lobbyist with the Human Rights Campaign. She has conceptualized and managed highly successful fundraising campaigns, developed and coached collaborative high-performing teams, founded two nonprofit organizations, launched a home healthcare franchise, and served as Executive Director for two organizations. Rooting her work and approach in personal core values, BJ leads from kindness, positivity, authenticity, equity, and connection.

“I could not be more excited and honored to be joining the board of Above the Stigma. Creating safe spaces to talk about mental health without fear of judgment and, more importantly, equitable access to quality services could not be more critical. Above the Stigma is fearlessly tackling both.”

🚨 New board member alert 🚨

Lisa A. Rich is a policy expert and legal educator. She served as the Director of Legislative and Public Affairs at the U.S. Sentencing Commission, worked on policy and legal matters in all three branches of government, worked on several high-profile public integrity and national security investigations, and worked private practice. She brings advocacy expertise at the local, state, and federal level having served on a variety of special commissions, committees, and task forces tackling some of the most important and timely community issues such as mental health and criminal justice. She also has been a law professor at several law schools including, George Washington University Law School, Howard University School of Law, and the Antonin Scalia Law School – George Mason University, and Texas A&M School of Law.

“I am thrilled to be joining the board of Above the Stigma as it addresses the critical issue of mental health. Living in Wyoming, I have seen first-hand the importance of addressing rural mental health, particularly for juveniles. I have spent my career advocating for those without a voice and I am excited to continue that mission with the talented board and members of Above the Stigma.”

🚨 New Board Member Alert 🚨

Ashley Wallis Landry is the Chief Operating Officer of a Mental Health Rehabilitation and Substance Abuse organization that serves clients in south Louisiana. Ms. Landry has over 12 years of experience as an executive in Healthcare Operations. She believes in promoting employee development and creating effective operational and financial systems for growth and sustainability. Ms. Landry is a servant leader that values organizational teamwork, staff empowerment, and collaboration with community partners.

"I am extremely passionate about providing the most comprehensive and compassionate mental health care to individuals who are seeking assistance. In speaking with the founder of Above the Stigma, Joey Garza, I very quickly realized that the organization's mission and vision aligned with my values and desires to positively impact the mental health community. I am honored to be a part of such a dynamic group seeking to meet the mental health needs in the communities we serve.”

🚨 New board member alert! 🚨

Kim Severinsen is an executive with over eighteen years of global experience in talent, assessment, leadership, consulting and industrial / organizational psychology. She is a collaborative leader focused on driving strategic outcomes at the intersection of people and business. Kim has a successful track record of solving complex business problems, synthesizing and converting ideas to ex*****on and outcomes, anticipating risks, improving processes and operational efficiency, and enabling talent to realize their full potential.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Above The Stigma's journey to normalize mental health. Whether at school, home, work or in other community groups, discussing mental health and well-being should always feel safe. It should be ok to not be ok. It should be ok to ask for help. Above The Stigma is an organization focused on having constructive discussions about depression, mental illness, trauma, isolation, hardships and other related issues. It takes a village to raise a child - let's raise them with the self-awareness to understand their mental health needs and the skills to advocate for them. In turn we will build a brighter future for all."

🚨 New board member alert! 🚨

Adit Parasuram is an executive with over fifteen years in SaaS, high growth business services and early-stage digital media. Successful track record of providing leadership, establishing strategic alliances, driving growth with an emphasis on building competitive, profitable businesses and insisting on the highest standards while creating shareholder value.

“What excites me about joining Above the Stigma is the organization’s mission and values. Mental health and wellness are the foundation of everything. It provides us the ability to build healthy relationships, affects our physical health and overall quality of life – It is critical to everyone’s success.”

Let's work together to not only help those that are in need, let's empower them to find their voice, let's welcome their healing journey with open arms.

It does not matter where you've been, what matters is you are here and your eyes are open to possibilities now.

Above the Stigma is welcoming mental health warriors who are wanting to become advocates. Volunteering for ATS can look like:
-Helping a couple hours a month with fundraising, future fun events, campaigns, content and everything in between!
-Sharing your story.
-Partner and college outreach.

If you are wanting to help with the cause please reach out to us, you can also reach out to for interest in anything else you can think of.

Let's all come together and build a life free of stigmas associated with mental health!

Mental Health Does NOT Discriminate!

Breaking the stigma is not an easy task and it's even harder when you feel like you're doing it all on your own. From personal experiences to now stigma fighters, please know that you are not alone.

This conference will be an experience to not only learn from some of the leaders in the mental health space in Texas but you will also have plenty of networking opportunities. The mental health crisis is not going to be solved overnight, but when we put our heads together and combine resources that is where we will start to see the greatest impact!

Above the Stigma & Cannenta Foundation

Let's all come together for this collaborative venture!

When: November 17th, 2022
Time: 8:30AM - 4:00PM (Coffee, food, and swag will be provided)
Where: West Dallas Multipurpose Center

Link below and Early Bird tickets available now! Link in bio!

Above the Stigma would like to introduce our newest family member and Secretary, Maddy Mizell!
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“My name is Maddy Mizell and I am from Phoenix, Arizona where I am currently studying Public service & public policy at Arizona State. I was a competitive soccer player for 10 years where I got many opportunities to meet all different kinds of people and see many places. I am currently working for Nomad Health as an Operations Analyst and a dog mom to my lovely Pitbull mix and German Shepard mix. I struggle with severe anxiety and depression and am a total perfectionist.”

Building a stronger foundation 🧱 by 🧱!

The future of mental health deserves an organization who really does care about the people.

At the end of the day YOU MATTER and you are absolutely worth every second we are working to build this organization!

Huge shoutout to ATS’s own Colin Larkins for graduating from the National War College w/ his 3rd masters!!!

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Congrats on all of your hard work and continuing to lead with empathy!

You know you are my favorite person and I’m happy you’re here today💚