BMHA Honors Dr. William Lawson with Phoenix Arising Award for Mental Health Advocacy
Baltimore, MD - November 1, 2023 - The Black Mental Health Alliance for Education & Consultation, Inc. (BMHA) proudly announced the recipient of the prestigious Phoenix Arising Award - Dr. William Lawson, MD, PHD, DLFAPA, Founder and Director of the Institute for Reducing Disparities LLC. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dr. Lawson receives the Peoples’ Choice For Impact on the Mental Health And Substance Use In the Community Award. This honor, paying homage to BMHA's principal founder, Dr. Maxie T. Collier, celebrates Dr. Lawson's exemplary commitment to fostering maximal human development in the Black community.
The Award will be presented at the 40th Anniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 1, 2023. This event serves as a fundraiser and commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Maxie T. Collier, embodying this year's theme: “Honoring Our Past, Transforming Our Today, Defining Our Future.” The gala underscores the enduring resilience of the Black community while addressing pressing mental health issues.
For four decades, BMHA has stood as a pillar of mental health and social advocacy. This nonprofit organization has provided a trusted platform, advocating culturally relevant approaches to behavioral health access, integrating services, and ensuring quality care for the Black community. In these challenging times, the importance of this work has never been more pronounced, and BMHA is thrilled to celebrate the dedication and resilience of those devoted to this cause.
The Award Ceremony and Gala will take place at the Baltimore World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, at 7:00 pm. Kindly confirm your acceptance of the award and attendance by Friday, November 10, 2022, via email to Mrs. Roxana Feenster, the primary contact for this event. Mrs. Feenster can be reached at 443-314-5188 or r.feenster@blackmentalhealth.com.
NAMI DC honors Dr. Lawson for advancing social justice in mental health and substance disorder treatment for minorities. We thank him for his past service on the NAMI DC Board of Directors, and for sharing his knowledge and understanding on our webinar “Cultural Barriers in Mental Health Care.”
Press Release
Official BMHA Letter