Dayo is a listener and a health communicator whose main goal is to make health information accessible and relevant to different audiences, particularly communities of color. She believes that meaningful communications honor the lived experiences of those you are communicating with. Her work has included managing the communications for a large, NIH-funded study focused on queer men of color, and garnering media interest for health and science at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dayo is an avid reader, and primarily reads books authored by women of color. One of her favorite authors is Octavia E. Butler.
Skye Barclay (she/her)
Communications Coordinator
Skye is a social media and communications specialist. She is committed to amplifying voices in the Black community and spreading mental health resources to communities of color. After over half a decade of working on numerous wide-reaching marketing campaigns, she has developed a community-oriented approach for creating meaningful content that resonates with people. In her free time, she can be found traveling the world, learning different languages, and roller skating. Skye holds a B.F.A. in Film & Television from Chapman University where she minored in Advertising.
Cydney Brown (they/them)
Training Coordinator
Cydney Brown began their career in LGBTQ youth, sexual health liberation, and HIV advocacy, which led them to focusing their work in healing justice. They are currently a member of the Transmasculine Health Justice: LA advisory board and research team. Cydney is deeply invested in the nourishment and empowerment of Black queer and trans people and views holistic, community oriented healthcare as a critical necessity for a better society. They are a proud graduate of the illustrious Howard University, holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in addition to two Master’s degrees in Public Health and Applied Gender Studies from Claremont Graduate University. Outside of their work, Cydney is on their path to becoming an Olorisa, a priest within the Ifa/Orisa spiritual tradition.
Graciela Cain (they/them)
Training Coordinator
Graciela began their career supporting grassroots organizations in the South, and became passionate about sex education through their past work with queer youth around HIV advocacy. They are committed to developing coalition around building safe futures for queer and trans folks, specifically in the South, and addressing housing injustice among marginalized communities. Graciela is also passionate about being a student and a musician, as well as reading. They love to use music, art, and a “Do It Yourself” approach to deepen connections and promote understanding of movement work.
Noelle Folden-McDowell (she/her)
Director of Finance
Noelle is an Accounting/Finance superstar with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is committed to uplifting equality for the Black community, and creating work environments where we all have a seat at the table. She received her undergraduate degree at DeVry University in Business/Accounting, and her MBA at Keller Graduate School of Management. During her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
L’Oréal McCollum (she/her)
Training Manager
L'Oréal – artist, educator, and healing practitioner – holds 15+ years of experience in community health & wellbeing, training & education, the healing arts, social activism, public affairs, communication media, and entertainment. Her focus areas of research, practice, and facilitation include the intersection between mental & sexual health, sexual & intimate partner violence, LGBTQ+ health equity, sexual revictimization, post-traumatic growth, and radical joy as a healing-centered practice. In addition to her work with BEAM, she is a licensed social worker (clinical track), alumna of Widener University's M.Ed./MSW program in Human Sexuality Studies and Clinical Social Work, and a vinyl DJ.
Leroy Mitchell (he/him)
Training Manager
Leroy has extensive experience in working with traditionally marginalized communities--in particular young men of color--with education, career, and identity development. Leveraging his work as a college counselor, and personal experiences as a former college athlete, Leroy builds community where people may develop healthy ideals of self and masculinity to manifest their full selves and lead healthy lives.
Natalie Patterson (she/her)
Trainer
Natalie (she/her) can best be identified as a Teaching Artist, she uses her dynamic range of expertise to masterfully make tangible abstract concepts. Natalie has the unique ability to bridge one’s personal experiences with the larger cultural occurrences using art, performance and custom workshops. Over the last 18 years, Natalie has crafted time-tested approaches to fostering cultures of growth, curiosity, compassion, and integrity. As a poet and educator, she has worked extensively in non-profit, higher education and with major brands like Sephora, Uproxx, The United Way, Summit, Darling Magazine, Adidas Women, TASTEMADE and SoulPancake. She speaks her mind, from inspiration to social justice she is equally inspired.
Yolo Akili Robinson (he/him)
Founder and Executive Director
Yolo Akili Robinson is an award-winning writer, healing justice worker, yogi and the founder and Executive Director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective). Yolo has worked primarily in three areas: Batterers intervention/family counseling with Black men and boys, HIV/AIDS, and healing justice/wellness. In 2018, Yolo was awarded the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation "Health Equity Award" for his work. He was also featured at the 2020 BET Awards as an "Empowerful Spotlight," highlighting his work facilitating the vision of BEAM. His writings and work have appeared on Shondaland, GQ, Women's Health, USA Today, Vice, BET, Huffington Post, Cassius, Ebony, Everyday Feminisms and more. He is the author of the social justice themed affirmation book, "Dear Universe: Letters of Affirmation & Empowerment for All of Us" (Michael Todd Books, 2016) and a contributor to Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown's anthology on Black vulnerability and shame resilience, "You are Your Best Thing" (2021, Random House Books).
Board of Directors
Martine Seiden Agatston
Tax Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP
Vignetta Charles, PhD, MPH Board Chair
Chief Executive Officer, ETR
Nicole Clark, LMSW
Nicole Clark Consulting, LLC
Angela Knudson, MPH
Community Impact Lead, AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
Dannielle Thomas, MA Board Secretary
Philanthropic Advisor, CARE
Nick Washington Board Treasurer
Vice President of Corporate Accounting Policies, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
