Building Capacity for Clinicians of Color

A Say Yes Buffalo Collaboration

The Clinicians of Color cohort, led by Kelly Dumas, is a dedicated initiative launched in response to the May 14, 2022 tragedy, aiming to bolster the capacity and accessibility of mental health clinicians of color in Buffalo, NY. Starting January 1, 2024, this program, in collaboration with Say Yes Buffalo, supports 15 clinicians with workshops, clinical supervision, specialty training, and business startup tools. Participants will receive funding and ongoing coaching for one year to advance their credentials and provide essential mental health services to the Buffalo community, with a commitment to serve for at least two years post-completion.

Meet the clinicians

Kelly Dumas, LCSW

Personal Statement: I’ve been in the field for over 20 years and have experience working with people looking for support with substance use and mental health. I enjoy working with adults, families, and couples. I don’t provide a lot of direct counseling services as a majority of my time is spent supporting other clinicians of color by providing mentoring, networking opportunities, clinical supervision, and creating spaces intended for mental health professionals to care for our own mental wellness collectively. I do have a private practice: Kelly Dumas, LCSW, PLLC, and am the Founder and Executive Director of Dumas R.I.S.E. Providers, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of Black mental health professionals and tending to our needs to continue serving.

Specialties and Expertise: I am a woman of faith and when appropriate welcome the opportunity to incorporate faith and spirituality when working with individuals/families. Ex: Anxiety, depression, Family conflict, Parenting, stress, self esteem, behavioral, ADHD Etc.

How Can People Receive your Services: You can contact my group practice at (716) 936-7556. This is where you can access the counseling services available through the Building Capacity for Clinicians of Color initiative.

What motivates you: Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Felicia Stanley, LMHC

Personal Statement: I have been in the mental health field for over 10 years. I am unique in my approach as I focus on decolonizing mental health in theory and in practice.

I engage in both traditional and alternative healing methods to help you live a life that you enjoy living.

Specialties and Expertise: Trauma, Maternal/Perinatal Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression. Trained in EMDR, DBT, ACT, Sensorimotor Psychology, Somatic Experiencing, CBT and TFCBT.

How Can People Receive your Services: I have both a private practice as well as a Nonprofit Organization. Matè Masie Holistic Counseling and Healing is my private practice and you can learn more at www.matemasiehealing.com. My Nonprofit Organization is No Wound Untreated and you can learn more at www.nowounduntreated.org.

What motivates you: I’m motivated by seeing my community healed one life and story at a time and by leaving legacy for my family.

What is your superpower: My superpower is my ability to navigate difficult spaces and bring calm into chaos. What is a secret talent: I can read and speak quite a bit of Hebrew.

Your favorite selfcare practice: Setting healthy boundaries.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Shayla Jackson, LMSW

Personal Statement:
My life is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering perseverance. Born and raised in the City of Buffalo, I faced numerous adversities as a child I was met with challenging responsibilities that I embraced with courage and love.

Despite the odds stacked against me, I was determined to rise above the statistics. I resolved to provide a better future for myself. With an unyielding spirit, I ventured into the field of health and human services, where I spent over 15yrs making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in need. My engaging spirit, genuine empathy and dedication were evident in every interaction, leaving an indelible mark on those I served.

“Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice”

Specialties and Expertise:
Shayla brings over 15yrs experience working with Children and families. Providing essential support and guidance. She has expertise in addressing a range of range of challenges including dual-disorders, Substance Use, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders, and Personality Disorders.

Therapeutic skills includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, trauma therapy, and facilitating DBT skills and identity groups. Her approach is rooted in understanding and empowering clients, fostering a safe space where healing and growth thrive.

How can People Receive Services:
I am providing counseling services through the Building Capacity for Clinicians of Color.

What is My Superpower: Problem solving, grit & perseverance, which has fueled my journey of personal & professional growth and community impact.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Dr. Keli Luchey, LMHC-P

Personal Statement: I’ve been counseling for over 30 years. My goal is to help people to feel whole again and to instill hope and strength. I want people to really thrive with life. It’s a process and a journey and I’m here to assist through that journey

Specialties and Expertise: Grief, anxiety/depression, youth, family

How Can People Receive your Services: You can receive my services through Lucid Pathways, LLC where I provide counseling, life coaching, education and consulting. The website is lucidpathways.com. I am also providing some free counseling services through the Building Capacity for Clinicians of Color initiative.

What Motivates You: I love home décor and decorating. I love to see the spark light back up in a person. I like to be the light in all situations.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Rita Andereon-Bailey, LMFT

Rita is the owner of Renovated Soul Marriage and Family Therapy, PLLC. Rita is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who serves the community as a licensed ordained Reverend. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in Public Communication from the SUNY College at Buffalo and her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Medaille College. Her experience with helping families and marriages to thrive extend over a 10 year period in the Western New York region. Rita specializes in couple, individual and child therapy directly targeting areas of Christian counseling, grief and loss, premarital counseling, conflict reduction, communication skills, self-esteem and a variety of related issues plaguing families.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Dominque Johnson, LMHC-P

Information coming soon.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Hope Cogdell, MSW

Personal Statement: I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Saint Bonaventure University. I completed my Master's program in the School of Social Work at the University of Buffalo. I have over 10 years of experience in this field and am devoted and passionate about serving the inner-city population of Buffalo, where I grew up. I have firsthand knowledge of the community’s needs and the trauma caused by the lack of accessible clinicians who share the same or similar background and circumstances.

Specialities and Expertise: My area of expertise is in family conflict and parenting. The population in which I have the most experience in working with adolescents.

How Can People Receive your Services: Currently, I work as a Family Support Specialist Supervisor in the School Based Services Preventive Program at Say Yes Buffalo. If you are interested in choosing me as your clinician, referrals can go directly through the Dumas Rise LLC system. Please answer one of the following:

My superpower: Is that I am an exceptional listener. Clients love that I allow them to tell their stories in a way that makes them feel safe, judgment-free, and empowered.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Danevia McGee, LMSW

Personal Statement: I have over 20 years working with CPS and in the child welfare system. My passion is working with children and families.

Specialties and Expertise: Anxiety, depression, Family conflict, Parenting, stress, self esteem, behavioral, ADHD Etc. Youth, parenting, anxiety/depression, and grief are all areas that I excel in treating.

How Can People Receive your Services: I work full time as a school mental health counselor for all grades k-12. You can receive my services through the give back hours I am doing through the Building Capacity for Clinicians of Color or you can reach out to Mobile Counseling of WNY at (716) 302-4545 or www.ncnys.com and link with me there.

My Favorite Self-Care Practice: Travel

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Diamon Redfield, LMSW

Personal Statement: I have been providing psychotherapy since 2019 and I have been a social worker since 2017. I have worked in a variety of fields from foster care focuses on improving quality of life through increasing wellness/health and empowering the people I work with through a combination of psycho education, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, health coaching, solution focused therapy and strengths based modalities.

Specialities and Expertise:

-stress

-self care

-self worth

-exploration of holistic practices

How Can People Receive your Services: Here you can say if you work at a place (University/Clinic) or have a private practice. If you have a private practice you can include your intake number and website or however you would like people to connect with you. If you work at an agency/organization you can say if direct referrals to you are permitted or not.

My Favorite Self-Care Practice is anything involving being surrounded by nature. I love to hike, go for walks, or go sit by water. I find it very peaceful and relaxing.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Sarah Edmonds, MHC

Sarah Edmunds, MHC

Personal Statement: I understand the importance of finding a counselor who is relatable and fits your personal needs. As a provider, my goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and compassionate space for individuals to express themselves. This allows individuals the opportunity to safely explore and work through their thoughts and feelings that may have a person feeling stuck. I have over 5 years of experience working with individuals, adolescents, children, families, and couples. I have worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Building relationships and working together are key components to success in treatment. I understand that opening up can be challenging so I will help guide you throughout the process.

Specialties and Expertise: I am a women of faith and I believe in focusing on the 4 pillars of a individual well being which are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

What Motivates Me: Matthew 17:20, Because of your unbelief for verily i say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Tonja Newkirk, LMHC

Personal Statement: I’ve been in the helping field for over 10 years and have experience working with people looking for support with life challenges, such as adjustment, addiction, or mental health concerns. I enjoy working with young adult, adults, and families.

Specialties and Expertise: Anxiety, depression, Trauma, stress, self-esteem, behavioral, ADHD Etc.

How Can People Receive your Services: Tonja Newkirk is a Mental Health Counselor in the State if New York who provides mental health services to individuals /student at Buffalo State University. Tonja has experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental Health and trauma healing.

What Motivates Me: A quote, “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Shawn Leonard, CASAC-T, MHC

Personal Statement: I have been working in various positions as a master clinician in mental health and substance use settings. I am a man of faith married with five sons. My strengths are working in group settings providing counseling in Co-occurring disorders.

Credentials: MA MHC CASAC-T

My Favorite Self-Care Practice: Revolves around faith/church Football/video games, etc…, Madden football and watching football

My Specialties: Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and compassion.

Proud member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. I love to step and watch step shows

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

DiMario Bell, LMHC

Personal Statement: DiMario Bell. LMHC. Lacked meaning and purpose for most of my life. My pain has now become my purpose. I am motivated to help others discover their/the light, the why to their what, their reason for waking up. I am often asked how I am able to do what I do (therapy), without taking on the pain of others. It’s because I have a foundational philosophy that helps turn my empathy into encouragement. I firmly believe we are created to conquer, to win, to overcome. But in order to overcome, we need an enemy to fight. But the enemy isn’t there to destroy you, it’s there to empower you. Many of us, myself included, discovered their purpose through their pain.

Specialties and Expertise: Depression, anxiety, trauma, meaning and purpose, adjustment disorders.

How Can People Receive your Services: Private practice 716.404.8666 (Texts welcome) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dimario-bell-buffalo-ny/940599

What Motivates Me: Helping people discover their light.

What is my Superpower: Being personable and down to earth, simplifying complex ideas into easy to understand dialogue.

What is a Secret Talent: Singing Your favorite selfcare practice: Martial arts.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.

Tamieka Johnson, MSW

Personal Statement: I was born & raised in Buffalo, NY. I am the proud mother of three adult children and the loving grandmother to four grandchildren, My lifelong experiences, of resiliency and tenacity afforded me the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Master of Social Work degree from the University at Buffalo. A First-generation college student, I am a proud EOP student and Schomburg Fellowship recipient. Magnum Cum Laude, I was the graduation speaker for both my Bachelor and Masters degree graduation ceremonies. I have worked in the Mental Health field for over 28 years practicing in many capacities. In my former years, I worked in the Buffalo Public and Charter Schools to alleviate academic barriers to success by building a collaboration that identified the needs of students, families, and school personnel while providing mental health counseling and other services as needed. My mission in life is to live selflessly as a Christian, while I use my God-given gifts, to nurture and help others in need. Psalms 37:5 NLT says, “Commit everything to the Lord, Trust Him, and He will help you.” That is where my recipe for peace remains, and I am optimistic for you the same!! My favorite quote which I live by is: “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou !!

Specialties and Expertise: Anxiety, depression, Family conflict, Parenting, stress, self-esteem, behavioral, Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Utilization of conflict resolution and critical thinking with intelligence, creativity, and kindness.

How Can People Receive your Services: I currently run my own Not-for-Profit Organization, Teach Me and Teachable Moments Inc. where I hold the template for nontraditional Mental Health Services through the M.E.N (Mighty, Empowered, Noble) and EmpowHER (Healing, Empowered, Resilient) programs. Birthed out of the 5/14 Tops Massacre both programs are designed for men and women ages 17 and over, as a holistic approach to healing, empowerment, and resiliency in a safe and supportive environment. You can learn more by visiting the website: tmandtm.org, Phone: (716) 203-1259, Email: tamieka@tmandtm.org.

My Superpower: Is the ability to connect with people on a personal basis. My sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. gave me the line name “Luminous”, which means full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark: When I walk into a room or engage with others whether adults or children my light shines from within, I humbly receive it and am thankful to God for that.

To book an appointment please call (716) 936-7556.