Our Blog & Outreach
AAKOMA Blog
Usher’s New Look Invites Dr. Alfiee to Virtual Youth Mental Health Summit
Dr. Alfiee joins Usher’s New Look Disruptivate Racial Inequity & Mental Health Trauma Summit to discuss how stress and trauma can impact mental health for Black youth nationwide.
The Starbucks Foundation + Partners Support AAKOMA Project
The AAKOMA Project received a grant from The Starbucks Foundation as part of the organization’s $1.5 million contribution shared across more than 400 nonprofits working to promote racial equity and create more inclusive communities.
AAKOMA Project is Hiring!
We are Seeking an Operations Assistant to build the work of the AAKOMA Project. At AAKOMA, we work with teenagers, young adults, their families and communities to raise awareness, conduct patient-centered research, and encourage young people to begin conversations to...
Sharing Images of Police Brutality Isn’t Allyship. It’s Traumatizing.
By now, you may have seen video footage of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was shot seven times in the back on Sunday. Edited versions are on the news, and many folks are sharing it on social media. Some are doing so to “raise awareness” about racial injustice — but recently, psychologists and advocates have been speaking out about the damaging effects of this kind of content.
Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble Wants Us To Talk About Mental Health A Lot More
Dr. Alfiee talks mental health misconceptions, trauma, COVID-19, and the effects on youth and young adults. The title of the article gives away the topic, but Dr. Alfiee’s insight into these topics is what makes it special. “We fail to teach people that mental illness exists on a continuum, which means that everybody is on it.”
Mic and Dr. Alfiee Explore the Danger of the “Perfect Victim” Narrative
“This idea of the perfect victim has to do with who is worthy of our empathy or sympathy, and who’s not.” – Dr. Alfiee.
AAKOMA Receives Funding in Support of Racial Healing
"For too long, racial trauma was the elephant in the room that we did not discuss as a society. Today, that conversation is starting to change. We're honored to be supported by the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia at this critical time to help communities of...
The AAKOMA Project Featured on Yahoo News List of Mental Health Resources
“The AAKOMA Project has many initiatives, including free therapy for young Black people and teens in Northern Virginia. Founded by Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, the organization focuses on youth of color, and “works with teenagers and their families to raise awareness,...
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
"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 feel those...
Register here for Virtual Therapy (for young people)
If you are a teen or young adult in NoVa, register here for up to 5 FREE mental health sessions.
Please give our team 72 hours to get in touch with you on your request.
We’re Here to Help!
AAKOMA Project, Inc
1100 N. Glebe Rr. Ste 1010
Arlington, VA 22201
Open Daily
09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Outreach/Awareness
What We Do
Check out this great video from our Black History Month Event at Industrious showcasing what we do at the AAKOMA Project.
Can We Talk? Event
To help establish AAKOMA as a go-to resource for evidence-based mental health outreach and education with Black youth and families we will:
- Formally introduce the AAKOMA Project, Inc. to our local community.
- Reduce stigma and promote emotional well-being among marginalized youth.
- Lay groundwork for long-term capacity building and sustainability.
Ring the Alarm Report
In December 2019, the AAKOMA Project and Dr. Alfiee participated as members of a national working group along with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and the Congressional Black Caucus to develop and share a report on the crisis of African-American and Black youth suicide and mental illness. Our report is located on the Congresswoman’s website here.
AAKOMA + BHM Event
It’s no secret that AAKOMA loves the kids, but a lesser known fact is that our outreach also involves parents and teens from diverse backgrounds. AAKOMA is excited to continue building relationships with adolescents and their parents/caregivers across cultural backgrounds for mental health.
BSUFIU in DC
On January 29, 2020, The AAKOMA Project, Inc. was asked to present our work to a group of students representing the Black Student Union of Florida International University. We shared our learning of the past 20 years and our vision for the future. (FIU).
Student Success and Mental Health Recognition Gala
In the Fall of 2020, AAKOMA is preparing to honor young people of diverse backgrounds who represent themselves and their communities with honor. These young people are focused on optimal mental health for all.