Meet Successful Brim of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Successful Brim

Successful, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In September 2019, I founded the Minority Psychology Network (MPN) with the aim of hosting our first mental health workshop in Los Angeles at Vector 90. My good friend, Adoma Adae, who organizes annual Women Empowerment events in Washington, DC, invited me to speak at her events each year. Inspired by her encouragement, I sought her help in planning the LA workshop, and she eagerly agreed to assist. During our planning, Adoma suggested I come up with a name, leading to the birth of The Minority Psychology Network.

My vision has always been to build a network of minority mental health professionals and advocates committed to breaking the stigma around mental health in minority communities and raising awareness. Our goal is to highlight, support, and foster the creation of more minority mental health professionals.

Our first workshop featured a diverse lineup of mental health experts and advocates sharing their insights and personal journeys.

Since that initial event, MPN has grown significantly. We now host both in-person and virtual workshops, visiting schools, workplaces, universities, and community centers. We also partner with the NFL Alumni Association players to host an annual mental health workshop during the Super Bowl.

As a national nonprofit organization, MPN boasts members across the United States. Our impactful internship and volunteer programs have helped many aspiring mental health professionals gain admission to college and graduate school.

MPN is dedicated to examining and showcasing the impact of mental health on various facets of life and across diverse communities. Through our committees, we address veterans’ mental health, community outreach, the intersection of mental health with the entertainment industry, law and policy, forensic, spirituality, and sports psychoeducation.

In 2020, MPN received a $100,000 grant from the Booz Allen Foundation Innovation Fund. This funding supported the launch of our mobile mental health unit and MPN app . The initiative aimed to deliver free, culturally competent mental health care directly to essential workers in Los Angeles. These services will help navigate the complex mental health system and build resilience.

The Booz Allen Foundation’s investment in our project is a tremendous honor. Many people of color struggle to access mental health care. Our mobile units will offer services such as talk therapy, screenings, and stress management workshops. This initiative is not intended to replace traditional mental health services but to initiate crucial conversations. The MPN app has launched and is now available on Android and IOS. The app connects users with available clinicians of color for long-term support. Mental health professions are encouraged to sign up. With the Innovation Fund’s support, MPN’s clinical team is working to deploy the mobile units in Los Angeles soon with the help of more funding.

In 2021, we received a $25,000 grant from the California Wellness Foundation to launch our mobile mental health unit and app. They also provided additional funding the following year to support our ongoing initiatives.

In 2022, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG) named MPN as their Women’s Recovery Response grantee. This funding supported our Women’s Self-Care and Financial Management Initiative, targeting Los Angeles-area minority women and girls at the intersection of financial literacy and mental wellbeing during COVID-19 recovery.

We introduced Self-Care Sundays, offering free monthly gatherings that combined psychoeducation and career development in a relaxed, informal environment for women and girls of color.

Our Financial Wellness Courses, in collaboration with partners The Women of Action, LLC, and Pocket of Change, LLC, provided free financial education to minority women.

We are currently partnered with Community Arts Programming & Outreach at Jail Guitar Doors. Every Friday, our mental health professionals leads a drum circle followed by a trauma healing workshop. This event offers LA youth a safe space to discuss mental health and receive one-on-one therapy.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey hasn’t been easy, but our employees, members, volunteers, and interns have worked tirelessly to get us here. The stigma around mental health makes consistent funding a challenge, but every bump in the road is worth it, knowing we’re changing lives.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am completing my Doctorate degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology and I work in media.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe taking risks is a crucial aspect of being an entrepreneur. When I started MPN, I had no funding and was in the middle of my doctorate program. Despite these challenges, I felt a strong calling and trusted my instincts to pursue my purpose by launching MPN. Now, as I near the completion of my doctorate, I am proud to have a fantastic team that is helping us grow and make a positive impact nationwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theminoritypsychologynetwork.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minority_psychology_network/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Minoritypsychologynetwork
• Twitter: https://x.com/MPN_MPN_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpnrwQjUTf771VxH9tIadEg

Image Credits
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