Give a helping hand to those who need it
Our mission is to inspire, motivate, and educate disadvantaged or at-risk children and young adults by providing access to mentor services, family support services, continuing education, and career development programs.
Our Story
My great grandmother Alpheaus Lightford was born May 23, 1927 in Huntsville, AL during a time when things were not easy for African Americans and especially women. Although she faced many challenges, she had a dream of becoming a nurse at an early age. She was inspired by her teachers to live a life of service and this sparked that fire in her to be a light everywhere she went.
Learn More
Anfernee
Simons
Founder
Tameka
Simons
Vice President
Charles
Simons
Director
Melody
Jones
Board Member
Maestro
Lightford
Board Member
Carissa
Simpson
Board Member
Dr. Thurman
E. Webb Jr.
Board Member
Christine
Kimbrough Watkins
Board Member
Ronda
Akins
Board Member
Kadijah
Carter
Secretary
Our mission is to inspire, motivate, and educate disadvantaged or at-risk children and young adults by providing access to mentor services, family support services, continuing education, and career development programs.
Mental Health Town Hall
May 20, 2023 | 7:00 PM EST
For May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Be A Light Inc wants to provide young teens with the opportunity to learn from mental health professionals. In this virtual town hall students will learn about mental health and hear about tactics and resources in reducing anxiety, handling stress, and healthy decision making. Students will even have the chance to ask questions and get answers from experts. We want to help teens and parents to learn how to identify mental health challenges, provide resources and tools to assist and how to deal with those who are struggling with their mental health.
Some Interesting Stats
It is estimated that 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and 4.6% of 15-19 year-olds experience an anxiety disorder. Depression is estimated to occur among 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-14 years, and 2.8% of 15-19-year-olds. Depression and anxiety share some of the same symptoms, including rapid and unexpected changes in mood. According to adolescent wellness academy 50% of lifetime cases of mental illness begin at 14 years of age.
- Cases of major depression among teens ages sixteen and seventeen rose by an overwhelming 69%.
- Feelings of anxiety and hopelessness increased by 71% among people ages seventeen to twenty-five.
- One out of five girls ages twelve to seventeen had experienced major depression within the last year.
- Between 2008 and 2017, the suicide rate among teens ages eighteen to nineteen increased by 56%.
We have three amazing guest speakers that work in the mental health field.
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Dr. Thurman E Webb Jr.
Serves as coordinator and provides instruction for the Professional school counseling program within the Department of Psychological Science and Counseling at Tennessee State University. He is also the lead instructor for the course Psychology of the Black Experience. Dr. Webb is an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist, a Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health Service Provider, and Mental Performance Coach.
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Dr. Harifah Hendrickson
A Clinical Psychologist, who is currently serving as a Captain in the United States Air Force stationed in California where she is one of two clinical psychologists within the Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, Air Mobility Command. Dr. Hendrickson is a native of Maryland, she earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in 2022. Prior to, she completed her master’s in psychology at Tennessee State University in 2018, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oakwood University in 2015.
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Dr. Henry L. Benton III
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Henry received his BA in Psychology from Ashland University, where he attended on a football scholarship, his MS as well as PhD in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University. His therapeutic work focuses on the mental health and well-being of college athletes.