Meet Briana Nieves of CaliBreeze The Brand in South Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Nieves.

Briana, before we jump into specific questions about your organization, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Los Angeles CA, to two Hard-working parents just different ends of the spectrum, my mother was a nurse and cosmetologist and my father a man of many trades. They instilled education and hard work into me at a very young age.

At 17 years old I lost my Mother Jerriline Nieves to cancer, she missed Prom and Graduation. I still accomplished those milestones with the support of my Family especially my Auntie Keesha Davis and Sister Kenya Brown, I began to get involved in the streets against my knowledge to do better. I encountered Law enforcement over and over until I got the picture, that I had to make changes. The life turning moment for me was my DTLA home being set ablaze in an attempted robbery. I knew that my life had been spared and I had to figure out why I sought the religion I grew up in very heavily as I began my new journey. I also discovered I was diagnosed with Ptsd, Anxiety and Depression.

I began mental health treatment as I rediscovered my self. I had to think back to who I was before the pain, an Auntie, a writer, a Friend, a daughter, and much more. I decided that I want to start away to encourage People dealing with Mental illness to seek treatment and claim their lives back. In the works currently is a module that would introduce Coping Techniques, treatment options, and other therapeutic options for inner-city youth to heal and do the work that can help not just them but make our world a better place. I have recently moved to Joshua tree Ca Where I’m Attending Copper Mountain College, Studying liberal arts and sciences and Playing women’s basketball.

I’m also currently on the Dean’s list with a 3.8 Gpa and The co-captain on the Team. I want to show the girls that are younger me the importance of obtaining an education and establishing who they are as women. I took the leadership role being older than them but I have to really consider all my behaviors and reactions because they are watching me. I plan to graduate in Fall of 2020 and taking my NON-profit into a full launch. The things that I study in school with only help me more informed on how to give back to my community If I could leave you with one thing it would be a quote of hope: “Everything will be ok in the end, If it is not ok, then it is not the end” – Unknown.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles along the way have been losing my mother, a house fire, Mental health diagnosis, a divorce, and just really losing who I was long the way that was the toughest part.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
The CaliBreeze Coalition Mission statement is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy, education and support…. Delivering a wide variety of programs and services to support individuals and families impacted by mental illness in ways that help them move towards recovery, specifically in minority neighborhoods.

We are not currently known for anything but I hope for us to be known as a place that puts people over profit. Restoring mental health and Hope to our drenched societies.

I am most proud of the fact that through everything I haven’t given up. I am responsible for saving lives and mine won’t be complete until we do.

What sets us apart is the fact that I myself have been where these people have been. I’ve Been homeless, I’ve Been hungry, and that ability to relate with set us apart from doctors and facilities that simply only have book knowledge.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is My Oldest Brother Paul, driving me and my friends around in his Red Pick up truck. We had just got home from school and he had just finished washing it. He told us to jump in and took us cruising around our Compton neighborhood I felt Free and I felt even more cool because it was my big brother driving. We were sliding like crazy back there. lol

Contact Info:

• Phone: 3239474721
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/calibreeze97

Image Credit:
Rafael Paiva – Photography & Studio

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