Terrie Williams leads a panel discussion about mental health awareness in the black community. Panelists include Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of Lay My Burden Down: Suicide and the Mental Health Crisis Among African Americans; Dr. Altha J. Stewart, president of the American Psychiatric Foundation and former president of Black Psychiatrists of America; Rhonda Ross, a writer, vocalist, and Emmy nominated actress; and Tracy Tyrone Moore, the president of the Black Men's Forum at Harvard University.
Alvin Poussaint is Director of the Media Center of the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston. He is also a Professor of Psychiatry and Faculty Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Harvard Medical School. He is co-author of Raising Black Children, and Lay My Burden Down. Poussaint is an expert on race relations in America, the dynamics of prejudice, and issues of diversity as our society becomes increasingly multicultural. He was a script consultant to NBC's The Cosby Show and continues to consult to the media as an advocate of more responsible programming.
Altha J. Stewart, M.D., is the executive director of the National Leadership Council on African-American Behavioral Health. Dr. Stewart has served in several executive positions nationally, managing large public mental health programs and systems in Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. Dr. Stewart is also past president of the Association of Women Psychiatrists and the Black Psychiatrists of America.
Rhonda Ross, daughter of the legendary songstress, Diana Ross, is a writer, vocalist and an actress. Her most famous acting credit is on *Another World*, as Toni Burrell. She played the role from 1997 to 1999 and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. Rhonda is also very passionate about real estate. She currently works for Citi- Habitats, in New York City, where she sells and rents homes. A graduate of Brown University, she is married to jazz musician Rodney Kendrick, and together their most recent albums are top sellers on CDbaby.com and other music sites.
