How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN? 

Felton Institute’s corporate membership was established in 2024.

What is your current profession? 

I am President and Chief Executive Officer of Felton Institute, a behavioral health provider primarily serving northern California.

From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?  

Lack of awareness, limited access, and narrow self-interests of providers are the factors impacting inadequate distribution of resources.

Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians? 

Felton reaches across all racial, ethnic, cultural, social, and linguistic lines. By addressing the needs of individuals impacted by the justice system, individuals struggling with mental health, preparing children for educational success, and providing older adults with critical resources, our programs are well designed to support Black Californians who too often over index in health, education, and employment disparities. Our participation in policy driven organizations such as CBHN strengthens this commitment.

What inspires you to keep doing the work you do? 

Witnessing the positive impacts of Felton’s programs on those served as well as those who provide these services, is both humbling and inspirational.

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

Assuming leadership responsibility for the hundreds of people Felton employs and the thousands of community members we serve in ten Bay Area counties is a character-building experience. I understand that decisions I make in steering this organization have real life consequences in the lives of others; so, I am thoughtful, measured, and decisive in taking any action.

What's the best advice you've ever received? 

I appreciate Bryan Stevenson’s appeal to all of us, that each of us is more than the worst thing that we’ve done; that the opposite of poverty isn’t wealth, the opposite of poverty is justice; and that the character of our nation isn’t reflected on how we treat the rich and the privileged, but how we treat the poor, the disfavored, and condemned.