NOPCAS is in the process of developing resources to help communities of color deal with suicide issues. We currently offer the following:

Counseling Certification Program | Survivors Circle | Bereavement Support Group
Survivors of Suicide Support Group | Circle of Love | IM ALIVE | Speakers Bureau |




In a partnership with the QPR Institute, NOPCAS offers a variety of educational and training programs for citizens and professionals. Some training programs are approved for college credits or continuing education credits for counselors, correctional workers, law enforcement, clergy, and a variety of healthcare providers.

A support group provides sharing, caring, mutual support, confidential environment that allows those participating to freely express all feelings of grief without fear of being judged. We provide support, information, and reassurance

When:	Last Tuesday of every the month
Where:	Howard University, Mental Health Clinic | 530 College Street, NW | Washington, DC 20060
Time:	6:00PM - 8:00 PM
Contact:	Dr. Donna Barnes | 202-806-7706; 202-549-6039

Where:	2999 Continental Colony Parkway | SW Atlanta, GA
When:	2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM
Contact:	Facilitated by Doris Smith | 404-349-9864

(Sponsored by the Patrick M. D'Aliso Foundation. Serving Orange, Rockland,
Dutchess, Ulster Counties of NY)

Where:	First Presbyterian Church of Chester, 94-96 Main Street, Chester, NY
When:	2nd Tuesday of every month
Time:	7PM
Contact:	Ann Maries D'Aliso | (845) 325-6448

Where:	First Baptist Church of Highland Park | Education Bldg, Room 202 | 6801 Sheriff Road | Landover, MD 20785
When:	2nd Monday of every month
Time:	7PM
Contact:	William & Naomi Powell (240) 460-1452 OR (301) 249-3836

An Online Crisis Network:
The first online network with 100% of its volunteers trained and certified in crisis intervention.
www.IMALIVE.org

Dr. Donna Barnes	Principal Investigator and Project Director of the Suicide Prevention Program and Research Associate and Professor at Howard University’s Psychiatry Department in Washington, D.C. where she teaches suicide risk management to psychiatric residents and third year medical students. She also conducts research on families who have lost someone to suicide and has published in this area. She has authored several chapters on suicide for books in the area of mental health and recently completed a book on the Truth About Suicide published by DWJ books for adolescents. Dr. Barnes is a master trainer for QPR Institute and trains groups and individuals on how to recognize the signs when someone is in a crisis and how to manage the situation. She is currently the recipient of a $600,000 campus grant for suicide prevention from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Barnes is co-founder and President of the National Organization for People of Color against Suicide (NOPCAS) and a founding member of the National Council for Suicide Prevention (NCSP). Dr. Barnes was an awardee for the Eli Lilly Welcome Back Award in 2006 for her work in the community.
Terrie M. Williams	Terrie M. Williams, one of Ebony magazine’s “Power 150” for Activism and also one of Woman’s Day magazine's “50 Women On A Mission To Change The World,” is an advocate for change and empowerment. She has utilized her influence and communications expertise for more than 30 years to educate and engage audiences in causes that affect the community, the nation and the world. As an author, Williams has written four successful books and countless articles. Her first book, The Personal Touch: What You Really Need to Succeed in Today's Fast-paced Business World (1994, Warner Books), is a perennial business bestseller. Her second book, Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens (Scholastic, Inc., 2001), has been utilized in school curricula and was the catalyst to launch The Stay Strong Foundation, a national non-profit for youth. Terrie’s latest work, a book entitled Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting ( Scribner 2008) reveals her personal struggles with depression and the impact the stigma of this and other mental illnesses have particularly on the African-American community. The public discourse generated by Williams’ book Black Pain and her Foundation’s creation of a national mental health advocacy campaign, “Healing Starts With Us,” led to a collaboration with Grey Worldwide, the volunteer advertising agency for the Ad Council’s and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Campaign for Mental Health Recovery. She was asked to serve as co-executive producer and a national spokesperson for SAMHSA’s and the Ad Council’s public service announcement campaign targeting mental health awareness. The campaign is titled, “Share Ourselves...Healing Starts With Us” and builds on her Foundation’s work. The public service ads launch February 2010. Williams is frequently featured and quoted in the national press, college textbooks, industry publications and novels. She is one of the country's most highly sought-after executive and inspirational speakers, addressing a variety of topics including public relations and communications, business communications and networking, demystifying mental illness, and creating balance in your personal and professional life.
William and Naomi Powell	William and Naomi Powell are from Mitchellville, Maryland. They formed the first suicide support group in Prince Georges County in August 2008. This group was born out of a passion to help survivors of suicide during the very difficult time following the death of a loved one. The group’s name, Circle of Love, Survivors of Suicide Support Group, aptly describes it purpose, which is to surround survivors in the area with unending love and support. They lost their 24 year old son to suicide in June 2003, and wanted to fill a void that existed in the county. Their meetings are held every second Monday at their church, which is First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have been active in the area of suicide prevention since the loss of their son. Their activities have included membership in the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS), participation in conferences sponsored by the State of Maryland in the area of Youth Suicide Prevention and video productions designed to prevent suicide. They have also served on various projects for suicide prevention and continue to work with NOPCAS and a national motorcycle club to sponsor an event annually to raise funds and heighten awareness on suicide prevention. Mr. Powell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management. He has over thirty-five years of experience with the Federal Government and has worked in several management and leadership roles. Mrs. Powell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Her employment includes numerous leadership roles at Federal Express before she retired from the company in 2004. She now works as a mortgage banker at Brand Mortgage Group. She also serves as a member on the Maryland Public Accountancy Board as a Governor appointee. She is a professionally trained facilitator and has strong leadership and total quality management skills.
Dr. Sherry Davis	Dr. Sherry Davis Molock is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at George Washington University. She teaches undergraduate and doctoral courses in the field of clinical/community psychology and conducts research on depression and suicide in African American communities and is currently working on developing suicide prevention programs for youth in African American churches. Dr. Molock also serves with husband Guy as the co-pastors of the Beloved Community Church in Accokeek, MD. Areas of expertise: Depression and suicidal behaviors in adolescents and young adults; cultural competence, religion and suicide; developing prevention programs in faith based communities.
Dr. Alton R. Kirk	Alton R. Kirk earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University where he was a Martin Luther King Fellow. He received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. In addition, Dr. Kirk has completed specialized training in Suicidology through the Department of Continuing Education of Harvard Medical School. He has studied, researched, taught, published, consulted and practiced in the field of Suicidology for more than 35 years. In 1977, Dr. Kirk received a national award from The American Association of Suicidology for his pioneering field research in the area of Black Suicide. In the early years of his work, Dr. Kirk was often the lone voice in trying to get others to focus on the problem of Black suicide. He urged others to explore the Black/White differences in suicide and stressed the need for more research in this area. Throughout the years, he has been a member of several professional organizations, including: National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide (Current Board Member) American Psychological Association Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists (Past President) American Association of Suicidology (Past Officer and Board Member) Association of Black Psychologists Michigan Association for Suicide Prevention (Past President) Michigan Psychological Association Michigan Association of Black Psychologists (Past President) Dr. Kirk has published and co-authored many articles in the area of suicide and destructive behaviors. Two articles have appeared in Ebony magazine. He wrote the chapter “Black Homicide” which appears in the book, The Human Side of Homicide, published by Columbia University Press. He is the author of the book, Black suicide: The Tragic Reality of America’s Deadliest Secret, which was released in May 2009. Dr. Kirk is Director of Associated Psychological Services where he is in private practice as a psychotherapist and consultant in Suicidology in East Lansing, Michigan.
Jason David	Jason Davis, poet and parent consultant on youth self-inflicted injuries, is co- founder of TODAY (To Overcome Discrimination Against Youth), an organization that advocates and teaches awareness needed by parents to nurture their children so they don’t become attracted to gang life. Jason spearheads today’s “clean up campaign” where teams of young men participate in cleaning up parks clean up campaigns throughout their communities. Jason’s acute sensitivity to the need for adolescents to have a safe, clean environment where they can play is born out of painful recollections from his early childhood. Jason’s lack of a safe environment was a key factor in his decision to join the Bloods in 1995. The violence on the streets affected Jason so much that he began contemplating suicide-- Jason was diagnosed initially as a paranoid schizophrenic. Later, it was determined, he suffers, as do many gang members, from severe post traumatic stress disorder. Today, Jason is on the road to recovery. He currently resides in Harlem with his family and is a counselor at Children’s Village located in Dobbs Ferry. He remains an active member of The Bloods-- in a position of leadership, where he denounces any acts of violence. He feels his presence and guidance on the inside of the organization will allow him to be more hands on in stopping the violence. He is also a spokesperson for the Stay Strong Foundation (a New York based 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization developed to educate and inspire using a myriad of unique and innovative programs designed to transform lives —www.thestaystrongfoundation.org). Jason addresses the issue of mental wellness in communities of color and the dire consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated through the Stay Strong Foundation’s “Sharing Ourselves…Healing Starts With Us and its “Used2BeMe” campaign initiative.
Ed Kittrell	Edward Kittrell aka ‘ED LYFE' is years of age. He was born and raised in the Washington, DC Metro Area and spent most of my childhood in SKYLINE, a neighborhood tucked away in the heart of Suitland, Maryland. As a youth, he faced his share of adversity and now talks freely about his issues growing up including life in a single parent home, the pressures of the streets, and not to mention being molested 3 times by 3 separate offenders before the age of 12. Despite all of his obstacles, he excelled in my academics as well as sports. After being offered a partial college basketball scholarship, he was forced to make a very critical decision: to decide between basketball and furthering his education, or staying home to stand by his girlfriend and their unborn child. He chose to stay and take on his responsibilities head-on, working 2 jobs, and going to school to provide for his family. He later went to earn a Degree in Electronics from Test College, graduating at the top of his class. Several years later he faced one of the biggest obstacles of my life. His past came back to haunt him with a vengeance.  It seemed that all of the traumatic issues growing up, combined with the pressures of the world took its toll and as a result he slipped into a very deep, dark depression. His depression lasted several years and he could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel. He lost everything: his job, wife, cars, family, and home. Angry, frustrated, and hopeless it was at that point he made up my mind that suicide was the only answer. He attempted suicide 3 times. It was after my 3rd unsuccessful attempt that he heard the Voice of GOD telling him that He had apurpose for my life. He persevered over the next few months/ years and from that point on set out to turn his tragedy into a victory! His life’s mission began after the death of his close friend Kenny S. Riley, who died by suicide on December 07, 2007.  At that time, he had not developed the courage to speak out about his battle with depression and the suicide attempts. However after Kenny died, heI knew that he could no longer sit on the sidelines and do nothing.  In 2008, he founded an organization called 1 LYFE @ A TIME for young kids and young adults in the urban communities who suffer from depression; with an ultimate goal to helping friends and families detect the signs of depression, assist with getting the person(s) treatment and to prevent youth suicides. Since 2007, he has dedicated his own life to saving lives of others, in an effort to making sure that nobody goes through what he went through alone.  He truly feels GOD intended his life and all of the past experiences to serve as a living testimony for those who are currently fighting this paralyzing condition.  It’s important for people to know that depression is treatable and suicide is preventable.  With the help of close family and friends, and my faith in GOD, he was able to make it through my situation and so can you. From this day forward he wants people to remember the 1 LYFE slogan which is: 1 LYFE, Infinite Choices…Choose to LIVE!  To read his story in its entirety please visit his website at www.1lyfe.org.
	Doris Smith began the first bereavement/ suicide support group in her community. One of Doris’ tributes to her son is the Mark Alan Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund at Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta. Doris is co-founder, Vice President and Treasurer of the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS). She has served and worked with SPAN USA, Project HOPE of the NMHAG, and AFSP.  Doris was a presenter when then Surgeon General David Satcher and Tipper Gore recognized suicide as a national problem and announced the “Call to Action.”  She is the recipient of numerous awards and has participated in health fairs, workshops, conferences and seminars, and has appeared on television, radio, in the newspapers and in magazines, videos and film regarding her work on suicide prevention and depression education and awareness.
	Gina M. Smallwood’s only child, Kelvin Mikhail Smallwood-Jones, a sophomore at Morehouse College transitioned to suicide on February 23, 2008. In honor of her son, Gina quickly transformed her pain into creating the “Kelvin Mikhail Suicide Awareness Campaign” to help educate youth and parents on the risk factors, dispelling the myths, knowint the warning signs and where to seek help. The campaign is also a support system for other survivors. She partners with the National Organization of People of Color Against Suicide and the Young Tiger Foundation. Gina works diligently to foster lasting change through community mobilization, youth development and peace building. As a professional facilitator, she received training from Impact Silver Spring’s Leadership Program, the Department of Justice Weed and Seed Program, the National Coalition Building Institute, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Boy’s Town Common Sense Parenting, among others. She continues to facilitate activities for families and organizations. Gina assisted in developing an effective, first-time collaboration between diverse residents representing 68 countries, law enforcement, social services, businesses and not-for-profits to restore and rebuild Long Branch community in Silver Spring, Maryland. In addition, she implemented strategies to help increase awareness of domestic violence, co-developed a job skills training program for neighborhood teens, designed a 12-week asset building program for adolescent female youth, co-facilitated a graduate course on peace building in the classroom at Millersville College and developed a high school and college workshop curriculum for Suicide Awareness and Prevention called “Invest in Your Personal Wealth, by Taking Care of Your Mental Health.” As a complement to her activism, she also integrates her spoken word and visual art as a vehicle to connect directly with her audiences. Gina continues to lend her time and talents to strengthening communities and can be reached via email grannyd@mac.com or by phone 202-340-2009.
	Antoine B. Craigwell is a contributing writer for Out In Jersey magazine and The Bilerico Project that has reported for FORTUNE Small Business magazine, the Villager Newspapers in Northeastern Connecticut, The Bronx Times Reporter and The Bronx Times and has written for The New York Amsterdam News. He graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York (CUNY) with a degree in journalism. Antoine formed the organization Depressed Black Gay Men, and through Black gay men from the US, the Caribbean, and Africa, he is telling their stories for a book and a documentary and has been facilitating community discussion forums nationwide to share that depression is treatable, not crippling. Antoine co-produced the documentary “You Are Not Alone” in which Black gay men tell their stories and it will premiere at the second annual benefit “I, Too, Am Not Alone @ the Table” on Nov 17, 2012. In 2008, for his reporting, which led to a change in New York City public policy, he earned an award from the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ).

NOPCAS offers a Speakers Bureau which is available to address a variety of suicide issues. Please contact us for more information about this resource.