George A. Nicholson III, a former dedicated trustee of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, passed away on November 24, 2024. A lifelong resident of Grosse Pointe, he applied his sharp financial expertise — honed during his distinguished career at Arthur Andersen — to numerous volunteer leadership roles, always with a deep sense of purpose and service.
His work with Franklin Wright Settlements exposed him to the intersection of socioeconomic challenges and mental health, sparking his commitment to the Flinn Foundation. Serving as a trustee from 2010 to 2019, Nicholson remained actively engaged long after his tenure, championing its mission and initiatives.
“George was a dedicated Board member and a huge supporter of the Flinn Foundation’s work, so much so that he followed our work long after he retired from the Board,” says Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation. “He always joined us for our December Board meetings for lunch and really stayed close to our work. He was just a joy.”
Nicholson was especially moved when the Flinn Foundation announced the inaugural Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Awards in honor of his longtime friend and mentor. “He couldn’t have applauded any more loudly,” recalls his wife of 64 years, Nancy Nicholson. “He was so excited and was not going to miss that award announcement for anything in the world.”
A meticulous and devoted trustee, Nicholson often kept thick packets of documents covered in sticky notes, ensuring he stayed informed about the Foundation’s evolving strategic priorities. “I was amazed at how rapidly he became so loyal to its purpose,” Nancy says. Even during his final hospitalization, he insisted he would be well enough to attend the December Flinn Foundation Board meeting.
For the past decade, Nancy personally drove him to those December meetings, witnessing firsthand the camaraderie he shared with fellow trustees. “From an adjacent room, I could hear the laughter and the cackling among good friends, having a good time while they served. It was the resetting of friendship for the sake of a very sound program. If you are nourished when you sit in a meeting, it’s a pretty good indication of how much the work means to you.”
Though his journey with congestive heart failure was long, Nicholson remained optimistic, fully expecting to return to “business as usual.” Reaching the milestone of 90 years brought him immense joy.
Recognizing his thoughtful and steadfast contributions, Cole reflects, “We will miss George.”
In December 2024, Dana Lasenby became the newest member of the Flinn Foundation Board of Trustees — making good on her goal of working with “people with good hearts” and especially Chief Judge Freddie Burton, Jr., whose work she has long admired.
In truth, Lasenby brings to the Flinn Foundation considerable experience as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), where she applies her decades of experience in health care administration as a master’s level psychologist. Prior to joining OCHN, Lasenby served as Chief Clinical Officer at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.
We spent time with Lasenby to learn more about what she will bring to the Board — and the colorful way she likes to unwind at the end of a long day.
Q: You have decades of clinical experience in mental health support. Tell us more about where you started out.
I have been truly fortunate to work in the clinical arena. My first “real” job at 23, 24 years old was on a locked psychiatric unit at what was then Detroit Mercy Hospital. I was working with individuals who were at some of the sickest times of their lives, so vulnerable, so in need. I started wondering what we could do to help people, so they are not rotating through the system, really providing the help they need and improving the quality of their lives.
Q: What did you learn that helped shape the rest of your career?
Over the years, I have been able to work face-to-face with individuals we serve in the role of a clinician, an advocate, and as a system innovator. I am often frustrated when I hear people say: “the system is broken.” There are hundreds of thousands of people who work in the public behavioral health system and give their hearts every day to serving people.
Are there improvements to be made? Yes. Are there things we need to do better? Absolutely.
Serving on the Flinn Foundation Board allows us to impact change and be solution-focused, leaning on input from a diverse group of subject matter experts. This includes clinical, operational, and administrative experiences, as well as from experiences as a community member and seeing what is needed. I am truly honored to use my voice to contribute to the amazing work that the Flinn Foundation is already doing.
Q: Where do you see Michigan stand as a leader in supporting and innovating in the mental health space?
The pandemic brought important awareness to the mental health needs of our community. Not just the people we typically care for, but everyone struggling with isolation, depression, or grief. Unfortunately, several devastating tragedies also forced Michigan to pay attention to mental health differently than some other states. When you look at the Oxford shooting, for example, and the shooting at Michigan State University and most recently in (Rochester) splash center, two of those incidents occurred in Oakland County.
I am proud to say Oakland Community Health Network’s administrative costs are less than 7%. This is a benchmark that should continue to be a priority to ensure funding is dedicated to services for people. We are doing the most with the least and are good stewards of our resources.
We have a number of new service programs being introduced, and my hope is that we integrate these initiatives in a way that promotes best practices, while also complementing existing services focused on the most vulnerable people. It can be a challenge to find a balance between new and existing programs, while also taking prevention into consideration. How do we make sure that we are preventing people from going to the most extremes when they say: “I told you I needed help.” We need to ensure the most vulnerable people we are serving, who cannot really navigate on their own, have the support and resources they need. That means not just the people we serve, but the people who serve the people we serve. I always want to advocate for them.
Q: What role do you think philanthropy can play in supporting programming and best practices?
I think setting priorities is critical to philanthropy and program assistance. One, you want to give to programs you want to see continue or see created because you know it is going to give to the community and make a difference. Two, how do you make sure that you are getting the return you want from your investment? Even though you are given dollars, you have to be good stewards of those dollars. The Flinn Foundation is about giving, supporting and setting organizations up for success. I think Flinn is looking for good community investments, making sure the organizations are good at doing what they are doing and healthy to receive funding. Also, how do we support organizations to be fiscally sound and whole?
Q: What do you think people absolutely need to know about mental health?
Mental health is about all of us. At any given point in life, we can be impacted directly or indirectly by our mental health. I tell my team this a lot: give each other grace because you just do not know what someone is going through. That does not mean we are not accountable, but that our mental health fluctuates and changes. For some, that shift is tough, while others are more resilient.
Mental health is our health. We must stop separating our brains, hearts, spirits and souls. Sometimes we are in physical pain because we are in emotional pain, and sometimes we are in emotional pain because we are in physical pain. You have to treat the whole person.
I want people to know they do not have to struggle in silence. There are resources available. Just call 988. When I started here a few years ago, I realized I would not have known about OCHN had I not applied for my role as CEO. I continue to work hard at increasing community awareness about our services. I want people to know who we are and what we are about. We are here to help the community and empower people. Being empowered means that if I need some help, I will reach out and get the help I need. Help is available.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a new grandbaby; she is my first. So, I take advantage of every opportunity to visit her in North Carolina until I can convince her parents to move to Michigan. I have two children who are young adults. My daughter has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and my son has an associate degree in criminal justice. I am so proud of the loving, caring people they are — and their strong personalities. I tell my husband we did an excellent job.
I also do a few things that would surprise people. I like to read good books. I like to watch trash TV sometimes. Lately, I have been coloring for relaxation and to unwind. I do buy coloring books and give them out when I go to various places and events, because I think kids should have coloring books. Take the technology away and color!
I also give out a lot of coloring books to adults. Their response is usually positive, and they often say: “I haven’t colored in a long time!” Again, I encourage people to color more. It slows you down and makes you refocus. It is just very soothing.
Learn more about the Board of Trustees at the Flinn Foundation.
The Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award, established by the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation in 2024, celebrates the legacy of Leonard W. Smith, a philanthropic visionary whose leadership significantly improved mental health services across Michigan. This prestigious award honors nonprofit leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to mental health care, offering them a unique opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities to focus on personal renewal and organizational growth.
Award recipients were recognized immediately following the Flinn Foundation Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at the Detroit Athletic Club. The inaugural honorees represent outstanding leadership across southeast Michigan’s mental health services landscape:
“These extraordinary leaders exemplify the heart and dedication that drive meaningful change in mental health care,” says Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation. “Their tireless efforts support some of southeast Michigan’s most vulnerable populations, and this award recognizes their remarkable contributions while ensuring they have the opportunity to recharge and continue their vital work.”
The award provides resources to support both personal and professional growth, allowing recipients to take a restorative break while fostering leadership development within their organizations. Each honoree receives support to step away for one month, giving them time to renew while their organizations develop new leadership capabilities in their absence.
Nanci Hambrick, Project Manager at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work, attended the award ceremony and reflected on its significance.
“This award is extraordinary because it focuses on true restoration and sustainability for these leaders,” says Hambrick. “The recipients are not only being given four weeks of paid time away to recharge, but the Foundation also provided funds for their organizations to cover extra responsibilities during their absence. This ensures that these leaders can step away without worrying about the strain on their teams — a rare and deeply thoughtful approach.”
The Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award embodies Smith’s lifelong commitment to mentorship, service, and innovation. By honoring his legacy, the Flinn Foundation ensures his impact on mental health and philanthropy continues to inspire and empower leaders across Southeast Michigan.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
Meredith Reese says she lives her passion every day as chief operating officer at Vista Maria, a Dearborn Heights-based nonprofit organization that provides support and trauma services for youth and families in southeast Michigan. She also says she was “speechless” when she learned she was selected as a Flinn Foundation Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award honoree.
We checked in with Reese to learn more and discover how she wants to recharge and reset, thanks to the Mental Health Hero Award.
Q: You have advanced to the chief operations position at Vista Maria. What have you learned about yourself through this process?
Reese: Being in mental health has always been my passion. I was born and raised in Kentucky and I worked at a psychiatric hospital there for numerous years before I came to Michigan in 2003.
When I found Vista Maria, I learned that the power of family is real. We can’t give up on family, regardless of what has happened. Kids tell me no matter what mom has done or dad has done, they’re still my mom. They’re still my dad. You can’t take that away from anyone.
What we glean from folks in our support system is whether it’s mom or dad or an aunt, grandma, a family friend or whomever — family are those who are trustworthy, reliant and give grace because we may make a lot of mistakes. When we really emphasize those family connections or social support for our kids and for our families, that’s where we get the ultimate superpower because those things equal resilience. How do we bounce back when life gets hard? We lean on others to help us through.
Q: Your background is in marriage and family therapy. What skills did you learn through that speciality that you use in your role right now?
Reese: Communication and stating the issue at hand. Not hitting below the belt. Then, how do we set a time limit? We have to be strategic with what’s the problem, the root cause, what I own, what you own and how we need to work together toward the solution, so let’s put a time limit on this.
Q: How does it feel to be recognized by the Flinn Foundation as a Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero?
Reese: This means so much. But this is what I do. This is day-to-day work for me. I didn’t do anything special, but you know, to hear I was recognized, it just really hit home. With all the other recipients, we continue to do this amazing work. My husband jokes that I need to slow down and stop being superwoman. But then he says, wait a minute, why would you do that?
But this is a very humbling experience for me. I feel like my work has been a calling for me and this is the right thing to do. I want to make sure that everyone knows that Vista Maria is here for the community.
Q: The Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award comes with a month-long break to re-energize. What plans do you have for that time?
Reese: I think about taking a little time without what I call all the “noise” and what it means to be present in the stillness. I think I will take joy in planning a vacation with my husband. There are some wellness resorts in Hawaii that I want to partake in.
One thing I do recognize is that I am doing family things but am I truly present? There’s a difference in just being there with everyone and being truly present in the moment with my loved ones. I want to take this time not only for myself but with my husband and then with my son, who’s 13. My mom and my sister are in Kentucky so I want to spend time with them also.
Q: That connects back to what you said earlier. We don’t stand alone. But those family connections just don’t happen.
Reese: They take work, yes.
Q: How will this break support your own mental health?
Reese: I want it to be a little bit of ‘what does Meredith want to do today and this week?’ I’m going to do my walking, my massages. I want to be intentional and say these are the things I want to do as I make my list. It’s Meredith’s personal wellness list.
Q: If you were not serving as COO of Vista Maria, what other job do you dream of doing?
Reese: I’m a big fan of dance — dance theater, choreography and expressive body movement have always interested me. I cannot carry a tune whatsoever, but I love that energy and motivation. That carries a lot of weight for me.
Q: What do you do on a regular basis to care for your own mental health?
Reese: It’s me watching reality cooking shows on the couch, comfy in a jogging outfit. I love baking competitions!
About Vista Maria: Vista Maria traces its roots back to 1883, when it was founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd as a refuge for young women in need. Over the years, it has evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable girls and young women navigate the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse.
Today, Vista Maria offers a wide range of services, including residential treatment, foster care and adoption support, education and transitional living programs. Through specialized counseling, vocational training and ongoing mentorship, the organization empowers youth to develop resilience, confidence and a clear path toward independence. By combining its rich historical legacy of compassionate care with evidence-based, trauma-informed methods, Vista Maria continues to uplift those it serves, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to build healthier, more successful futures.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
Kenyatta Stephens, CEO of Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI), has been honored with the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award by the Flinn Foundation, celebrating her visionary leadership and dedication to creating a culture of hope and healing in Detroit.
We caught up with Stephens to learn more about her plans for the month-long break that comes with the Mental Health Hero Award — and why caring for mental health is important.
Q: Share some information about BFDI and your role.
Stephens: I have the honor of working at a comprehensive family counseling organization that absolutely loves children, youth and families, headquartered in the city of Detroit, and believes that the work that we do as an organization and in our partnerships should create an atmosphere of hope and healing.
I have the opportunity as CEO to shepherd and steward over the lives of incredible men and women who get up every day to create an atmosphere of hope and healing for people in this community who are often underserved, under heard, underrepresented — but yet are resilient, powerful and ingenious in their own right.
Q: What personal goal do you have for BFDI?
Stephens: There are two. Most of our services are provided for families who come in need of some support in treatment arenas or family reunification arenas. We do have prevention for mental health and substance abuse — good programs that do great work.
I want to maintain that, but then expand our array so that young people, particularly 18-24, who are struggling to find their way, begin to understand the kind of career and post-secondary education pathways available to them, which right now seem pretty elusive for a lot of our folks — not because they’re in a crisis, but because they’re not sure of which way to go next. I would like to see opportunities to partner with organizations like Black United Fund who are doing work in medical school preparation and aviation for young people.
My second goal is to make sure that we have some really robust succession planning in place so that at some point when it’s time for me to transition — although I love this place and I’m not making plans to do that anytime soon. I think it requires spending ample time to really equip a cadre of leaders to take the organization to the next level and understanding how to do that in a way that makes the leadership nimble. This award, generously bestowed upon us by Andrea Cole and the Board of Directors of the Flinn Foundation, is helping me to achieve that second goal.
During my sabbatical we will be upwardly promoting existing members of our staff to take on new positions so they can get accustomed with dipping their toes in the water to what that responsibility looks like. I’m going to use the remainder of the money for the organization to avail executive coaching to those leaders so that there is a cohort mentality for those leaders. Not just the ones that I’m touching, but also another segment of the organization to go through leadership training so that in operations, executive leadership and in the fiscal components, we have succession planning and we have coaching and professional development that sets the agency’s leadership on a pathway prepared for any transitions that will occur in the future.
Q: What was your first thought when you learned that you were a recipient of the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award?
Stephens: Gratitude and a shock. If I’m being honest and transparent, in my prayer time, I said, Lord, I really love this work, but I really need a little break. I don’t even know if I’ve told Andrea Cole this story, but it was a week later that she told me about her nomination.
I had no idea that the Foundation was going to be so gracious to not award one, but four awards. I was already floored in gratitude. And then now fast forward to the fact that there were four recipients. It really did leave me speechless.
Q: You talked about how the award break will impact your organization. But what about you?
Stephens: There were three three things that were paramount when I was thinking through this question during the application. The first is spending time with my mom. My mom is very important to me, but I also don’t take any day for granted, every single day as a gift. This is going to allow me to do that.
The second thing is that my husband and I will be celebrating 25 years of marriage. In our 18 years of being parents, we’ve only taken two trips alone. This allows us to have the third.
Thirdly is self care and reflection. In my times of quiet prayer and meditation, things are so clear about next steps and next directions. I’ll be doing things as simple as getting massages or spa treatments for my mom and I, or being able to travel. It’s a sense of clearing the mind to what this next phase of my life is for.
I’m looking forward to succession planning in the transformation of this amazing organization as we head toward 50 years — I really believe that great things are ahead. I want to be clear in my vision, clear in my focus, clear in my leadership to help transition us to this next iteration of this organization here in Detroit.
Q: You like to read, bike and camp with your family. Do you have favorite spots for each of those things?
Stephens: My favorite place to read, I have two. I live in Farmington Hills and my first place, I would say is at one of the libraries near the fireplace. My second is at home in front of my own fireplace, on a couch with my family and maybe a candle nearby. My favorite places to bike are a bike path and a walking trail in the West Bloomfield area near Pine Lake and Orchard Lake that is just absolutely beautiful, just gorgeous. I love water — I love all things water. And camping, I love Tawas because again, it’s near water and that’s the most beautiful space for me.
Q: What other ways do you care for your own mental health?
Stephens: Every day that I can, I stop for a few minutes and sit at a lake, whether it’s the one right on 11 Mile between Beck and Wixom roads or one lakeshore in Novi. I just turn off my car and music and just sit and just quietly meditate, pray and just clear my mind for a little bit before I start my day. The other thing is that I love working out, but I am terribly undisciplined. I have been blessed with this amazing personal trainer, and she has been in my life now since September, So a very brief period of time, but she’s everything that I could have asked for and needed.
About Black Family Development, Inc: BFDI is a private, nonprofit family counseling agency dedicated to strengthening and enhancing the lives of children, youth and families in Detroit and surrounding communities. BFDI offers a comprehensive range of culturally sensitive services, including juvenile justice interventions, mental health support, substance abuse treatment, family preservation programs and positive youth development initiatives. The organization emphasizes community engagement and restorative practices, partnering with local entities to foster safe, nurturing and vibrant environments.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
Celia Thomas is chief operating officer at Alternatives for Girls, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization that helps girls and young women at risk of violence and homelessness access the support and resources they need to grow and make positive choices for their lives.
She’s also an honoree of the inaugural Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award from the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. We caught up with Thomas to learn more about her, the work she does, and her thoughts on this award.
Q: How does it feel to be recognized as a Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero?
Thomas: Oh my goodness! I’m surprised. I’ve always tended to be someone in the background and just taking a huge leadership and supportive role — and to have such an award is pretty amazing.
Q: I’m sure there are lots of heartwarming success stories at Alternatives for Girls in the past 37 years. Is there anything you want people to know that they may not know?
Thomas: There are so many. In our after-school programming we had a family of, I believe it was six girls with a young mom, a single parent. They all made it through our program and one of them became a Detroit city council person. I could go on and on.
Q: The Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero award comes with something unique — a month-long break to “relax, restore and return refreshed and re-energized.” How do you plan to spend this time?
Thomas: We leaders tend to be highly motivated, hugely focused and just moving, moving to get an agenda completed. Our roles tend to be very demanding and most of us are totally invested in the organization’s mission. And, for many of us, it’s our lifetime mission as well, to be responsive to people in need, to move agendas related to the human services field and those related to what we call the social determinants of health, for example.
So when I contemplated a break initially I thought really? What does that look like, exactly? I have to be honest. For me, most times when I take a vacation, the laptop goes with me. I tell my staff that I need about three days to calm down and then be on vacation. And I need a day and a half to ramp back up. So to have a month off is huge for someone like me. It’s huge!
It gives me that opportunity, that window to shut it down and literally focus on nothing. Nothing. Which means rest, relaxation and restoration.
I plan to leave the country. I am an immigrant from Jamaica, the Caribbean, and I don’t get home a lot since my parents are gone. So I plan to just go home and sit there. We don’t have internet, and that’s OK.
Q: Why do you think a break is good for mental health?
Thomas: When you think about sleep and the impact that has on the brain and the body, it’s huge. I firmly believe that having the chance to totally shut down the brain, having the chance to not think about the things that bring income and, even in the best sense, the mission — just to shut down is really rejuvenating. Having the chance to sleep, achieve deep sleep more frequently, it’s all contributing to mental health and wellness.
Q: What do you think girls today need in order to be the strong women of tomorrow?
Thomas: I definitely believe that there are inequities in our society today that lend themselves to challenges for girls and young women. They need safety, people they can connect with, to talk to, to listen, to play with, to just be around who can echo and support their feelings and help them trust and believe that things will get better over time. They need safety; they need stability.
Q: What is your best personal asset that you bring to your role?
Thomas: I always heard I was like my dad. He never met a stranger. He could get along with business owners and the man pushing a coconut cart on the street. This is a trait that I’ve absolutely inherited — the ability to meet people where they are. I show up as a leader and I’m never afraid of being a follower.
Q: What do you do regularly to care for your own mental health?
Thomas: Over the past 10 years, I’ve really focused on allowing myself to just be in the moment, wherever that is, whatever that is, to catch the teeny, tiny moments so I can restore and rejuvenate. I’ve leaned into that more over the last 10 years than I did in the — let’s be real — four decades before that.
Alternatives for Girls (AFG) is a Detroit-based nonprofit established over 37 years ago as a community-driven response to rising concerns about young girls in vulnerable situations. Initially formed to address issues such as exploitation, homelessness and lack of access to education, AFG has evolved into a comprehensive support system for at-risk girls and young women. Its mission focuses on empowering them to make positive choices and achieve their potential.
AFG’s core programs include outreach, prevention programs, shelter services, early childhood education and housing stability. Through these efforts, AFG has transformed countless lives, helping girls and young women achieve safety, stability and success.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
For more than two decades, Nicole Wilson has been at the heart of The Yunion, a Detroit-based nonprofit devoted to uplifting underserved youth and families. Recognized as a Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero by the Flinn Foundation, Wilson sees the honor not only as a celebration of her leadership but as a moment to reflect, recharge, and reaffirm her mission.
We asked Wilson what it means personally and professionally to be recognized as a Mental Health Hero.
Q: What is your role at The Yunion?
Wilson: I have had the pleasure of serving as executive director at The Yunion for the past 21 years. We are an agency that loves youth and families, and are committed to serving children that are underserved. We’re committed to giving resources to parents that are under-resourced, and that our goal is to have healed youth and fortified families that will lead to cultivating a strong community.
Q: Why do you think the youth of Detroit need The Yunion?
Wilson: The youth of Detroit need The Yunion because no matter where, they need love. We provide for them. We provide love and support and genuine care for their lives and their outcomes. They need The Yunion because unfortunately, many of the youth that we serve are primarily at a low poverty-level income for their families. And with that comes a lot of societal risks for them. We are an organization that stands in the gap for those.
Q: Can you share a success story about the youth served by The Yunion?
Wilson: One of the things that I can point to is our Keys 2 Life performing arts summer camp. It’s a very intensive program, very fast paced, over six weeks. Many of the students come in very shy, very timid. At the end we have a big, professionally produced performance. The kids are, by the end of that performance, smiling, laughing, literally shining with so much confidence, so much self-esteem. Parents come to me and say ‘thank you — my child has transformed before my eyes.’
Q: Something people might not know is you are a registered nurse. What led to you becoming a nurse?
Wilson: I always knew that whatever I was supposed to do from a very young age, it was supposed to be in a field of caring. I started off in pre-med, but I just knew I wanted to be more of a caregiver. And so I’ve always loved and had a passion for caring for those that needed to be cared for.
Q: You work closely with your husband, Jason Wilson, who is the face of The Yunion. What is that like?
Wilson: [Laughs] I tell people this all the time: Jason and I have been married for 26 years and the secret to our marriage and the secret to us working together and sustaining our marriage is distance. We often don’t even see each other throughout the day. And, we have learned that being able to come home and share with your spouse or your partner, ‘Guess what happened to me today?’ is important.
So our secret is there are three stories in our building. Jason resides on the third story. And I reside on the first. So there’s a layer in the middle that literally is the key. We don’t bring it home with us.
Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized by the Flinn Foundation as a Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero?
Wilson: I was so honored. I was happy because I felt seen and heard and acknowledged — not only as a leader, but as just Nicole Wilson, as a woman, as a Black woman. And the moment was not lost on me that four Black women were acknowledged for their work in this field.
Q: This award comes with something unique — a break. What plans do you have?
Wilson: I have a sticky note on the wall of my desk that I put on there probably the first week in 2024. And it says one word: REST. I love to cook. I’m a pretty good cook. My plan is to travel to Italy and, in different regions of Italy, I would like to take cooking classes. I plan on trying to take a full month off to take that trip and to sleep — and to delegate to my more-than-capable team members while I’m gone.
Q: How do you think this break will contribute to your mental health?
Wilson: Being able to identify and acknowledge that I am worthy of it and deserving of it is going to do wonders for my mental health. I know that I’ll come back as a better leader. I know that I’ll come back as a better servant. But more importantly, honestly — I’ll come back as a better Nicole for Nicole.
Q: What do you do on a regular basis for your own mental health?
Wilson: Journaling, meditating, praying, of course — it’s key for me. I pray throughout the day. My relationship with God is my base. It’s extremely important to me.
About The Yunion: The Yunion is a faith-based nonprofit organization in Detroit dedicated to empowering underserved youth and families. Through innovative programs in prevention, education, parental engagement, mentoring and counseling, The Yunion addresses negative cultural influences and fosters community strength. Over the years, it has positively impacted more than 15,000 young individuals in Metro Detroit, collaborating with numerous schools, community organizations, and churches to create environments where youth can thrive. Signature programs include The Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy (CATTA) and Keys 2 Life, a life skills and music mentoring initiative — and many others.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
Zack Stoycoff, executive director of the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative in Tulsa, Oklahoma attended the Grant Makers in Health summit in Portland, Oregon in June 2024 and learned about Michigan’s Wayne County Behavioral Health Diversion Program.
One thing led to another. After the session, which was led by Chief Judge Freddie Burton, Jr., of Wayne County Probate Court, and Sheryl Kubiak, Ph.D., dean and director of the Wayne State University School of Social Work Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, Stoycoff recognized that his team could learn more about the diversion program on a scheduled upcoming visit to Detroit.
The Tulsa delegation of 25 added a day onto their October 2024 visit specifically to learn from the Wayne County Behavioral Health Collaborative (WCBHC).
“It was fortuitous. (The delegation’s visit) was not arranged solely around this, but it was an opportunity to repeat the presentation that the group did in Portland, here in Detroit,” says Nanci Hambrick, Wayne County initiative Manager at Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work.
The WCBHC is the result of years of partnership among local organizations, including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Probate Court, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Wayne County Commission, and the Wayne State University School of Social Work.
Guided by the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work, this initiative strengthens the county’s behavioral health network, promoting inclusive, equitable support for individuals and families. The Flinn Foundation supports this collaborative effort to drive lasting, positive change.
“As engaged as we all are in this work, it’s really nice to know that our efforts might be replicated in other places across the country,” says Kubiak in a Wayne State release about the event. “We really believe in the work that we’re doing, and in teamwork, and in the results that we’ve seen.”
While the needs of Tulsa may not match the needs of Wayne County, sharing experiences is an important exercise when the goal is positive change.
“They were very interested in next steps in how to do collaborative data sharing work,” Hambrick says of the Tulsa delegation. The collaborative in Wayne County has made positive steps, with more work forthcoming.
“What we got from it is there are some examples we were able to provide of work and outcomes that can come from collaboration, and there are also some opportunities to learn that there are some universal struggles when bringing together people with different needs and interests when trying to create a strong collaborative,” Hambrick says.
The gathering also featured a panel discussion moderated by Andrea Cole, Flinn Foundation president and CEO. Presenters included Dean Kubiak; Detroit Police Department Captain Tonya Leonard; Chief Robert Dunlap, jail administrator for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office; and Chief Judge Burton, Jr., who also serves as chair of the board of trustees for the Flinn Foundation.
Other members of the WCBHC executive committee include Chairwoman Alisha Bell of the Wayne County Commission and leadership from Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.
“What we heard was a really impressive array of coordination happening around public safety and mental health in Detroit,” says Stoycoff in the Wayne State release. “We’ve got some really great things going on in Tulsa that we’re proud of as well, but we look forward to taking these lessons home with us.”
Learn more about Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at the Wayne State University School of Social Work.