Local Partnerships, Global Collaboration

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As an innovative start-up, unrestricted funds are critical to our growth and success. This allows us to invest in our internal operations and to try new things that align with our values, rather than falling into scarcity-mindset decision-making that is so common in the nonprofit arena worldwide.

We're already seeing results from the investment in our team, including adding dedicated fundraising and social media staff. The Black Mental Health Fellowship Program is on it's way to a third fellow in one year, and we're bringing on a full-time Executive Director. 

The donation from BoA Charitable Trust has funded 3 programs, 4 projects and served over 400 people - as well as grown our team and helped us secure our future. We can never thank our Equity Partners enough for their trust and commitment to building a healthier world - we may not be there yet, but we're absolutely on our way.

This campaign served as an opportunity for our US-based team to share about Black History Month and to connect with partners across Africa and the African Diaspora.

Partners across the world shared stories of Black icons, celebrated successes and supported each other in learning about the challenges Black folks are facing worldwide; police brutality, systemic racism, exclusion from the global mental health space, etc.

We saw during the pandemic how important digital spaces are to the health of our world and this campaign is just one example of the healing that is possible online. Digital projects have the added benefits of being low cost, high-reach and easily adaptable - a requirement for staying relevant in the ever-changing field of global mental health.

We work with our field partners in one of three key areas; immediate action, operations & scaling and future movement.

Sex workers in Mbarara are often unable to access mental healthcare services, leading to higher incidences of mental health crises like suicide attempts. Providing initial stabilization care is critical to beginning a cycle of better health in this community.

Wilbroad Kabagamba, the Founder and Leader of AAF, is the first-ever Black Mental Health Leadership Fellowship. During his 6 month fellowship journey, Wilbroad is learning & practicing key skills that he's identified as necessary for organizational growth. He's also growing his network, testing out new partnerships and scaling up the projects that are already working - with new funding and support from his community.

Our partnership with AAF is unique in many ways, it is the only site that has both hosted & supervised a fellow as well as sent a fellow on their 6 month journey. We're confident that AAF will continue to expand and will be an excellent training site for future fellows, which is why we've agreed together that AAF will be the first long-term site for future Black Mental Health Leadership Fellows.

While each partnership is different, the goal remains the same: build local capacity to the point that IMHA is no longer needed and the community can thrive in mental health.