Healing Starts in the Heart
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Welcome
Since the stigmas associated with mental health care often begin early, we work with teenagers and their families to raise awareness, conduct patient-centered research, and encourage young people to begin conversations in their communities.
We bring a special focus on the unique experiences of people of color. As a result, we are able to engage with communities on a deeper, culturally-relevant level by conducting research and providing clinical support.
Welcome to AAKOMA and thanks for joining our community!
Our Goal
All too often, Americans view mental health as a privilege for the wealthy and feel unwelcomed by or disconnected from traditional providers. At the AAKOMA Project, we are working to change that perception. We believe that everyone — regardless of background, income, or identity — deserves optimal mental health.
How do WE define optimal mental health?
We define optimal mental health as
- Recognizing mental health challenges when they arise
- Understanding where to go for help
- Supporting friends and loved ones to seek help
Featured Event
Featured Event
Black History Month 2021: Paint and Sip with Lexi Underwood
Feb. 27, 2021 at 2 pm ET
Lexi Underwood, star of HULU's Little Fires Everywhere, joined forces with AAKOMA to address teen mental health. Via a virtual paint and sip, co-hosted by Lexi and Morgann Noble, AAKOMA provided 70+ 10-18 years old participants with swag bags of gourmet hot chocolate from Kingsbury Chocolates, an AAKOMA Project mug, a paint kit (replete with easel, canvasses, acrylic paints, brushes, and stencils), and a Starbucks treat.
Upcoming Events
May
20th
Arlington County DHS – Building Healing Communities: Conversations in Mental Health, Equity & Resilience – Part 1
Building Healing Communities: Conversations on Mental Health, Resilience and Equity - Health (arlingtonva.us)May
25th
Arlington County DHS – Building Healing Communities: Conversations in Mental Health, Equity & Resilience – Part 2
Building Healing Communities: Conversations on Mental Health, Resilience and Equity - Health (arlingtonva.us)Who We Are
Founder
Dr. Alfiee
Operations Manager
Tracey Deavers
Intern
Morgann Noble
Intern
Alexandra Torres
Our Partners
AAKOMA leverages critical partnerships, collaborations and supports to move our work forward. Some of our recent partners, collaborators and supporters include:
- Starbucks Foundation
- Mental Health Coalition
- Mental Health America
- YR Media
- Pivotal Ventures
- Community Foundation of Northern VA
- Harry’s Shave Club/Flamingo
- Innovation Health
- U.S. Congressional Black Caucus
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Usher’s New Look Foundation
- AcademyHealth
- Alliance for Health Policy
- Mt. Olive Baptist Church
- NAMI
- SoPhE
- PCORI
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Project Healthy Minds
- Our Minds Matter
- Teen Line
- The Local Optimist
- MadHappy
In the News
Usher’s New Look Invites Dr. Alfiee to Virtual Youth Mental Health Summit
Mental health campaign aimed at helping teens ‘Sound It Out’ (fox6now.com)
The Sound it Out Campaign
The Derek Chauvin Verdict: Relief & Greif (refinery29.com)
The Danger Of The Nevers Made For Love Suicide Stories (refinery29.com)
The Lead with Jake Tapper: CNN On Air Appearance
Better yet, see us in person!
We love our peeps, so feel free to connect during normal business hours.
AAKOMA Project, Inc.
contact@aakomaproject.org
4201 Wilson Blvd, Third Floor, Arlington, VA 22203
(571) 486-3382
Hours: By Appointment
Feel free to email us for inquires about keynotes, presentations, volunteering, consulting and partnerships!