May is Mental Health Awareness month, so it’s only right that we share about the first black mental health tour EVER that kicks off this month- Crazy Like a Fox Brunch Tour presented by Stronger Than My Struggles and SwagHer Magazine.
Stronger Than My Struggles and its founder, Melony Hill, hosted Crazy Like a Fox last year as a one time event, consisting of a series of panels about mental health particularly within the Black community led by Black women. When Melony saw the impact of the event, which was dear to her, because she battles with her own mental disorders, and how many people it helped, she decided to take the show on the road. This year, the Crazy Like a Fox: Black Mental Health Matter Brunch Tour will take place in Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and wrap up in Baltimore, where the organization is based.
“Like many of the women who have come together on the Crazy Like a Fox Tour panel, I know what it is like to be labeled a statistic. Even worse, I know what it’s like to internalize the thoughts and opinions of others, leading oneself to question her own sanity, ability and even her validity, says STMS founder Melony Hill. “Too often, Black women are asked to be strong, to take the lead; too often, we’re punished, ridiculed and ostracized if we can’t live up to the expectations of being a Strong Black Woman.â€
SwagHer Magazine and its EIC, Francheska “Fancy†Felder were tapped as collaborators for the tour, because Fancy often speaks on mental health from her own struggles with it. While René Brooks, creator of Black Girl Lost Keys, a blog for Black women and others who battle with ADHD will be returning this year as the featured panelist.
Joining the tour in three of the cities is the enstooled Queen of Ghana, Graciela Blackstone. Graciela is a descendant of Alex Haley, the author of Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Her family’s connection to Ghana and her work there to create new, sustainable communities within the country is why she was granted this title. Graciela hopes the tour will ignite change within the residents there. Statistics show that 98% of the country’s citizens are battling some form of mental health, and though they have do have care options, most are unable to utilize them.
Former Miss Caribbean Metro USA and BMORE Lifestyle (lifestyle-entertainment talk show) hostess, Chardelle Moore, will moderate the panels in Philly and Baltimore.
The most unique thing about this tour, is the various diagnosis of the women, their different walks in life, and how mental health is like the fork in the road where they met. Not only are the panelists those living with mental disorders, but there are also mental health professionals and staff and coaches who work with those battling their minds. So guests are not only getting first-hand insight but also professional input, from women who look like them, women who many can relate to in some form or fashion.
“It’s crazy how we’ve only been able to find one set of statistics, though rather old, that even account for how many Black women are living with a mental disorder in 2019, “says Fancy. “It’s like we are just waking up and really ready to have discussions about how we can conquer our mental illnesses and lead happy lives.â€
The first panel will be held May 25th at the Treehouse Studios in Atlanta. Right now tickets in all cities are 15% off when you use code FOXY4. This code is good until May 6, 2019. Visit http://www.crazylikeafoxtour.com to RSVP and learn more.
