Mercedes Samudio (She/Her)

Embarking on my journey at 11, I navigated the turbulent waters of systemic racism within mental healthcare, facing layers of abuse and stigmatization. Yet, my graduate studies in social work lit the path to healing, empowering me to challenge biases and stereotypes against African American women like myself. Inspired by Paulo Freire, I champion a transformative approach that melds decolonial, anti-oppressive, and liberatory practices. My mission? To dismantle systemic barriers, champion cultural humility, advocate for equity, and empower communities. I'm committed to reshaping mental healthcare to genuinely serve African American youth and families, addressing the intricate dance of race, age, and societal norms. Join me in this vital, heart-led endeavor. This involves: *Challenging systems by actively identifying and working against the systemic racism prevalent in mental healthcare, particularly as it affects African American youth. *Living and modeling cultural humility by incorporating spirituality, community, and kinship – critical aspects of African American well-being – into mainstream clinical practices. *Promoting advocacy and awareness through my research and professional endeavors, I seek to expose the disparities in our system and to pioneer solutions that foster an equitable and culturally sensitive mental healthcare environment. *Empowering communities through engaging African American families in mental healthcare discussions and decisions, thus promoting a more inclusive and representative approach. Both my lived experiences and the mental health disparities evident in our system drive my commitment to decolonizing mental healthcare. I strive to create a mental healthcare landscape that genuinely serves African American youth and their families, recognizing and addressing the complex interplay of race, age, and societal expectations.