Nakeia, a native of Youngstown, OH, relocated to Columbus as a Young Scholar at the age of 18 to start her academic journey at The Ohio State University; where she earned her Master of Social Work degree and later returned to earn her Master of Business Administration degree. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, with Supervision Designation in the State of Ohio and currently serves as the Program Manager for School-Based Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She has acquired approximately twelve years of clinical experience working with youth and families across various settings including outpatient, schools, and the community. For the last seven years, she has held leadership positions in strategic planning, business operations, project management, program development, and training and development. She is also a member of the Columbus Association of Black Social Workers.
As a change agent, Nakeia is dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental illness and breaking down barriers to treatment in communities of color. She has a special interest in school mental health as it relates to the intersectionality with social determinants of health and the impact on student success and mental health and wellness. She believes in the transformative nature of helping individuals and teams build trust, show vulnerability, be authentic and embrace change. She has an appreciation for the arts and self-expression, as well as balanced living through traveling, walking trails, meditation, yoga, healthy eating, and fellowship. She enjoys listening to Reggae and Afrobeat and believes she was an island “gal” in her past life!
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