This Black History Month, we featured #BlackExcellence in our CII Community. Recommended by their leaders and peers, we featured six of our colleagues who are making a huge impact for their community.

 

Dr. Brandi Eichstedt has been with CII for five years and is a Behavioral Health and Wellness Manager. Dr. Eichstedt manages the behavior and wellness component of CII’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs, which consists of the disabilities and mental health content areas.

Her deep love for forensic psychology and passion for the healing power of early intervention allows her to help youth recover from stress and trauma.

One thing she wants you to know is that she too was in Head Start. She shares, “that experience had a profound impact on me and my family! My love of learning came from my Head Start teacher, and I don’t think that I would be a doctor today if I had not been in the program.”

 

Crystal Williams-Dottin, MSW has been at CII for six years and is a Family and Community Partnership Manager. Crystal makes connections with community partners to ensure that resources and services are readily available for our families.

Raising her son as a single mom inspired her to learn more about child development, and as a native of South Los Angeles and former recipient of public-funded services, providing services for other families solidified her desire to become a social worker from a strength-based lens.

As an African-American woman, her story of perseverance brings greater meaning to representation. She says, “I represent women of color, working professionals, parents, and most importantly anyone who has risen from adversity and challenges to accomplish great things!”

 

Carmelita Shorts has been at CII for eight years and is now a Site Supervisor.

Carmelita provides a safe, fun and healthy place for children to learn and play each day. She is motivated by her love of seeing children grow, and getting to share their lives day to day with their teachers.

She has over 20 years of experience working with young children, and says “it’s my calling, and my yearly goal is to see the children happy and to keep them safe.”

 

Thresa Offord has been at CII for eight years and is an Education Coaching Manager.

Thresa’s role allows her to supervise Education Specialists, providing support and guidance as they mentor and coach teachers. She is passionate about teachers seeing their own strengths and gaining ground to move to the next level.

One thing she wants the community to know is that who they are and what they represent matters. She says, “they are seen, and we want to be advocates to identify their strengths, help them reach their dreams for themselves and their children. I believe there is nothing our community can’t do as long as we show them we believe in them, and we are here to take the ride beside them and with them.”

 

Georgette Bradley has been at CII for eight years and is now a Site Supervisor.

Georgette supports the growth and wellness of all children, families and staff in her care. She is always there for her team and is available to listen and respond to any of their needs.

She has been motivated to be an efficient and effective leader since she was 16, when she worked in a family daycare center. “I’m most proud of my ability to bring people together,” she says.

 

Francis Jenkins has been at CII for seven years and is an Education Specialist. She works with teachers to ensure that all lesson plans, activities and materials are developmentally appropriate, and she works with colleagues to plan integrated training for teachers.

Early childhood became a calling for Francis when she took her son to his first day of preschool at a Head Start in South Los Angeles. She was able to stay and support his transition to a new environment, which made him feel comfortable and know he was safe. She says, “I always felt welcomed and appreciated, which made me want to share that same feeling with others. So I started to volunteer, and my passion for nurturing the young grew into a 42-year career.”

Dear Friends,

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History designates a theme for Black History Month, and in 2022, we are lifting up Black Health and Wellness. At this point in our nation’s history, our understanding of Black health and wellness is broader and more nuanced than ever. Not only have we had a devastating look into health disparities through the COVID-19 pandemic, but we also have more Black professionals and influencers than ever speaking on the importance of mental and physical wellness.

Black practitioners have forged pathways of their own where institutions have failed and systemic barriers persist. Ala Stanford, MD and the Black Doctor’s COVID Consortium found ways to reach vaccine-hesitant communities by providing guidance from physicians who look like them, go to the same churches that they do, who have the same life experience and historical context as they do when navigating decisions about their health care.

Superstars like Beyoncé and Serena Williams have brought attention to bias in health care that leads to the high Black maternal mortality rate in the United States. These high-profile stories have been central to many recent discussions led by Black clinicians to address the issue and to unite others working to improve outcomes through organizations like the Black Mamas Matter Alliance.

Many Black leaders have shown their support for mental health care in their communities and led by example in prioritizing their own self-care. Perhaps the most high-profile instance of promoting self-care has been Simone Biles’ withdrawal from events at last year’s Olympic Games. “Simone Biles teaches us that we are truly, intrinsically worthy beyond the entertainment and expectation of others,” said Linda James Myers, PhD, of the Association of Black Psychologists.

While CII celebrates the contributions of our Black colleagues year-round, we want to take this opportunity to raise them up once again: The number of Black families CII supports through our programming continues to increase, and our Black colleagues’ work and visibility in our organization are so important. Black clinicians, teachers and staff who promote mental wellness help to destigmatize mental health care in our communities. Families in their care are comforted by their presence and expertise.

And I thank them for all that they do.

With gratitude,

Martine Singer
President & CEO