Donate

Healing Starts in the Heart

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

  1. Recognizing mental health challenges when they arise
  2. Understanding where to go for help
  3. Supporting friends and loved ones to seek help

Who We Are

Founder

Dr. Alfiee

Read More
Executive Administrative Assistant

Tracey Deavers

Read More
Intern

Morgann Noble

Read More
Intern

Alexandra Torres

Read More
Volunteer

Carumey Stevens

Read More
HR Recruiter

Adenia Bradley

Read More

Our Partners

AAKOMA leverages critical partnerships, collaborations and supports to move our work forward. Some of our recent partners, collaborators and supporters include:

  • 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
  • Taylor Strategy
  • Hemera Foundation
  • NAMI
  • SoPhE
  • PCORI
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Learn More

In the News

Tips on How to Talk to Your Family About Race in Refinery29

Tips on How to Talk to Your Family About Race in Refinery29

Race is a topic that is now at the forefront of almost everything, so naturally you will begin to speak about it around friends and family. But for Black people, race is always at the forefront; we came into this world Black and we will leave Black. So as non-Black...
It is 100% OK to be an Angry Black Woman or Angry Black Man

It is 100% OK to be an Angry Black Woman or Angry Black Man

“Black people, you have a right to the full range of your emotions, including anger.” Dr. Alfiee explains how Black men and women are not allowed to be angry, as our anger can be seen as threatening or misplaced. She validates our anger and advises us to...
See All

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
1100 N. Glebe Road Suite 1010 Arlington, VA 22201
(571) 486-3382

Hours: By Appointment

Feel free to email us for inquires about keynotes, presentations, volunteering, consulting and partnerships!