BIPOC Mental Health Roundtable

Lisa Matthews. D.C. Chapter Representative, Sibling Leadership Network (Washington, D.C.)

Lisa is a powerful part of the BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable. Her along with Emily Holl and Jeniece Stewart aligned energy to bring this powerful vision to life. She served as a panelist on the first BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable, November 18, 2020. But she didn’t stop there! She has served as both, host, moderator and Q+A on subsequent roundtables. We could not be more grateful for her time, insight and transparency during these important discussions. Learn and connect with her below!

Lisa Matthews currently serves as a board member of the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) and is the SLN DC Chapter Representative.  She is the former Chair of the DC Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC Council) and member of the State Plan and Implementation Committee for the DDC Council.  Prior to joining the DDC Council, she was a graduate of the DC Advocacy Partners Program (DCAP) where she was able to develop skills in advocacy and policymaking.  Lisa is compassionate about navigating the disability system to understand her role as a sibling to support her brother Mike because she anticipates she will be his caregiver in the future.  Her goal is to empower, educate and elevate others to identify and solve problems that will bring perspective and positive change in their lives.

Lisa has shared her personal experiences with others to help educate families and bring awareness to community stakeholders.  She has provided written testimony, helped to produce a newsletter focused on issues related to autism, assisted with the launch of a recreational program for individuals with a disability, and co-lead a job readiness program in her community. Lisa also serve on boards focused on issues of homelessness, empowering women and their children in transition, and support for at-risk youth.  

Lisa currently lives in Washington, DC and works as the Chief Grants Officer for a non-profit organization.  She enjoys writing poetry and is a contributing author of two books and is listed Who’s Who in America.

CONNECT WITH HER

Email: lmatthews522@yahoo.com

Click here out other BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables.

The BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables are a bi-monthly event co-hosted by the Sibling Support Project, Special Needs Siblings and Sibling Leadership Network.

November 18 launched the first of a series of sibling discussions dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities.

Richard Mullen, Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator – Community Change Champions Supervisor. Arc of King County (WA)

Richard served as a panelist on the first BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable, November 18, 2020. He came back to join us as moderator for both March 18, 2021 and May 18, 2021!! We truly appreciate his insight and transparency during these important discussions. Learn and connect with him below!

Richard Mullen works with the Arc of King County in Seattle Washington. He is the African American Family Support Coordinator and enjoys supporting families with loved ones who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities. 

CONNECT WITH HIM

Email: rmullen@arcofkingcounty.org
Phone: 206.854.7046

Click here out other BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables.

 The BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables are a bi-monthly event co-hosted by the Sibling Support Project, Special Needs Siblings and Sibling Leadership Network.

November 18 launched the first of a series of sibling discussions dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities. 

Shannon Lewis, President, Dallas NAACP Youth Council (TX)

Shannon served as a panelist on the BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable, November 18, 2020. We appreciate her insight and transparency during this important discussion. Learn and connect with her below!

Shannon Lewis is a dedicated and faithful young Christian leader who has set the bar for modern trailblazers. Her life objective is that she will be a service to all mankind by volunteering her time and God-given talent in the community in which she lives. She was born to LEAD!

Currently, Shannon serves as the International Vice President of the Common Black College Application Student Ambassadors Program. She also serves as the President of the Dallas National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council. She is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the DFW 20 Under 20 Girls in STEM and AREA Community Service Award. She is a part of many organizations such as Leaders of Tomorrow, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, The Kenny Beaver Foundation and TBOC Pearls Ministry just to name a few. She was also given the opportunity to study STEM abroad in Dubai for 10 days. In addition, Shannon has accumulated over 1,000 hours community service hours.

Shannon anticipates graduating in June 2021 with her Associates Degree in Science from Cedar Hill Collegiate High School. After high school her plans are to attend an Historical Black College or University so that she can pursue her dream career as a Physician Assistant. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, shopping, doing makeup and giving back to the community in which she lives.

CONNECT WITH HER

Book Her: https://bookshannonlewis.typeform.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshannonlewis_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027547035928
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/shannonlewis

Click here out other BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables.

The BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables are a bi-monthly event co-hosted by the Sibling Support Project, Special Needs Siblings and Sibling Leadership Network.

November 18 launched the first of a series of sibling discussions dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities.

Patricia Portis, Aspiring RN, Bishop State Community College (AL)

Patricia served as a panelist on the BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable, November 18, 2020. We appreciate her insight and transparency during this important discussion. Learn and connect with her below!

Patricia Portis is a special needs sibling who currently resides in Southern Alabama, but was raised in Snellville GA. Patricia has two siblings with disabilities, one with more severe needs than the other. Her eldest brother has cerebral palsy and mental disabilities he is non-verbal and requires total care. 

Patricia’s brothers have been her inspiration in life to become a Registered nurse. She is currently a full time student at Bishop State Community College in pursuit of earning her degree. She also works full time as a technical  support rep. After graduation, Patricia plans on opening a facility for adults and children with disabilities that supports their health, independence and individuality. Her passion for those with disabilities runs deep and she has always been an advocate.

CONNECT WITH HER! 

Email: triciag84.pg@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-grove-60235350/
Help Patricia and her brother Micki, who has Cerebral Palsy: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/16361/

Click here out other BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables.

The BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables are a bi-monthly event co-hosted by the Sibling Support Project, Special Needs Siblings and Sibling Leadership Network.

November 18 launched the first of a series of sibling discussions dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities.

Angela West-Brown MALS, CLC, IEP Life Coach & Consultant, ARWBrown Educational Coaching Services, LLC (GA)

Angela served as a panelist on the BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtable, November 18, 2020. We appreciate her insight and transparency during this important discussion. Learn and connect with her below!

Angela West-Brown is an Individualized Education Program Coach, Consultant, Author, Special needs sibling, wife, mother of four and an Educational Empowerment Speaker. Her passion for America’s intellectually disabled youth is driven by first-hand experience covered in her book, “Lost and Found” of what happens when effective adult transition planning before high school graduation is not set in place. Lost and Found was written to provide resources, tools and support to help families advocate for their loved ones with special needs,  while supporting the entire family in the process. She is driven to provide strategic solutions to parents seeking clarity, less stress and successful completion of IEP Transition goals. Angela West-Brown has worked in University Financial Aid and Admissions Services, Department of Family and Children’s Services and (ABD ) Aged, blind, disabled unit collectively for over 6+ years.

She has a Bachelor’s in Sociology, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies/English, a Graduate Certification in Adult Learning and has completed a Master IEP Coach mentorship program.   Angela works by day as a Corporate Life Coach, while birthing the dream God gave her to support the special needs community and spread awareness of the importance of a strong transition plan for special needs teens

CONNECT WITH HER

Website: https://angelawestbrown.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelawestbrown/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARWBrownECCS

Click here out other BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables.

 The BIPOC Adult Sibling Roundtables are a bi-monthly event co-hosted by the Sibling Support Project, Special Needs Siblings and Sibling Leadership Network.

November 18 launched the first of a series of sibling discussions dedicated to expanding the inclusion and diversity of the sibling support community. The series highlights the experiences, insights, perspectives and stories of Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color who have brothers and sisters with disabilities.