Rachel Chenoa J., a New York native with roots in Harlem and the Bronx, is a published author, activist, and Mental Health Awareness advocate with over 30 years of experience across Human Resources, Compensation, Project Management, and Training. She holds a BBA from Baruch College with a focus on HR and Accounting, along with a Mental Health First Aid certification.

Her mental health journey began in 1999 when she sought therapy to address growing challenges while balancing a full-time job and college night classes. In 2005, Rachel was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder and began treatment. By 2008, after facing a mental health crisis, she found herself unable to work, leading to what she describes as a "mental reset."

In 2009 Rachel reached a breaking point and attempted to die by Suicide. In her survival since then, she has found her voice, and from that, SPEAK Initiative, Inc. was born. SPEAK, Suicide Prevention through Empowerment Action and Kindness; focuses on peer support through a community of "SPEAKers," "LISTENers," and "Healers," providing much-needed mental health support for underserved communities.

Rachel’s transparency and resilience fuel her mission to promote mental health and fight against suicide globally. She states “It takes work, persistence, trust, and self-examination to get to a healthy mental space. I am committed to being healthy and am going to encourage others to get help before they decide to give in. Everyone has a purpose, and we should all have an opportunity to realize exactly what that is.”

Dinean Davis was born and raised in Harlem, NY. She holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Purchase College, a Master’s in Business Management from Purdue (Kaplan) University and a Master’s in Pastoral Care and Counseling from New York Theological Seminary.

Dinean has over two decades of experience in Communications, Graphic Design and Event Planning. She has worked for several years in the Non-Profit sector at Abyssinian Baptist Church, Riverside Church and Lehman College. She has also been an active servant in ministry at First Corinthian Baptist Church where she shares her artistic abilities and event planning talents for various fellowship and social service initiatives such as feeding the homeless, facilitating the annual clothing mall, as well as leading the dance ministry.

Dinean has taught in the Department of Education and worked with various youth mentoring programs in NYC. She also has her own business, In Her Image, where she provides various services such as graphics, book design and wedding planning. In addition, Dinean has a clothing line and does custom designs.

Dinean is an all-around artist and loves being involved in anything creative. She has a passion to follow the mandate by God to serve others in need. She is a genealogist who loves to travel the world and experience other cultures. Dinean has one son, Jaylen, who is a high school graduate.

Dinean has also partnered with SPEAK Initiative to help others break through the silence and stigma of mental health care. Dinean’s contribution to SPEAK Initiative is twofold as she is also the Director of Programming and Community Engagement.

Dawn Wilson is a proud mother of one 28-year-old son. Dawn has over 20 years of experience in the education and childcare professions.

Dawn was born in Harlem, New York at Harlem Hospital Center. She was raised in the Bronx and Harlem, New York. Dawn attended Elementary School in Harlem New York, Middle School in East Harlem, and High School in Midtown Manhattan.

Dawn's Middle School and High School years were immersed in the arts. She studied Fine Arts including drawing, painting, pottery and photography. Dawn attended SUNY Farmingdale in Long Island where she received her Associate of Science in childcare and then attended CUNY City College and received her Bachelor of Science and childhood education. Dawn continued her education at Alfred University and received her Master of Science in Literacy.

Dawn has previously worked for six years in daycare as a Teacher/Lead Teacher; two years in Head Start and has over 18 years working as a Teacher within the New York City Department of Education serving the same community she grew up in.

Dawn has partnered with SPEAK Initiative to continue helping individuals be their best and realize their worth in this world. Her decision to partner with SPEAK was driven by Dawn’s love for the Arts and understanding the healing qualities of education and empowerment.