Stories from the Black Community – Vol 1
This Is My Brave Stories from the Black Community Volume 1 premiered on January 18, 2021
This Is My Brave, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization ( is the leading platform for individuals to share their stories of living successful lives despite a diagnosis of a mental health disorder through artistic expression (spoken word poetry, original music, dance, comedy and essay readings) on stage in front of a live audience. We’re opening up the conversation about mental health disorders in communities all across the country and beyond via our YouTube channel.
We’re shining a light on mental illness because it has been in the dark too long. We’re ending mental illness stigma, one story at a time.
Donate to This Is My Brave, Inc. to help us continue to shine a light on mental illness:
Tickets for our upcoming events on sale via our website’s EVENTS page (
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, This Is My Brave’s entire 2020 and 2021 seasons have moved to a virtual platform. To ensure the safety of our storytellers, audience members, and staff, each piece has been filmed at home by our Brave storytellers and compiled into a show by Mid Coast Media {
Click on timestamp below to jump to the performance piece of your choice:
0:00:32 A Note to Our Viewers
0:00:39 Tell Them I’m Brave – Performed by Annie C. Connally (Written and composed by Natalie Layne and Phoebe Scott. Copyright 2020. All rights on behalf of Natalie Layne Music. Used by permission.)
0:04:07 National Sponsors / Partners / Special Thanks
0:05:25 Opening Montage
0:05:51 Producer Opening Remarks (Dr. Kya Conner & Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster)
0:09:32 Amani Carson – Stressed for Success
0:16:41 Nieisha Deed – A Personal Story
0:21:55 Jacquelyn Davis – The Bases of Recovery
0:28:33 Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa – The History of Our Shackles Doesn’t Define Us
0:33:27 Catherine Buccello – Black Men Cry, Too
0:42:06 Dederick Woodard – A Personal Story
0:49:21 Swiyyah Woodard – Don’t Call Me Crazy
0:56:18 Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa – Bravely Moving from the Darkness Into the Light
0:58:24 Bill Holmes – Ten
1:02:22 Producer Closing Remarks (Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster)
1:03:42 Closing Credits
This Is My Brave’s 2021 season would not be possible without the generous support of our National Sponsors:
AbbVie {
Janssen {
The Nathan Cummings Foundation {
Sage Therapeutics {
This Is My Brave Stories from the Black Community was made possible in part by a grant from the University of South Florida
Additional support for This Is My Brave Stories from the Black Community is provided by:
Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Change Matrix, WE-CARE Program at USF, USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences , USF Health – Taneja College of Pharmacy
Special thanks to: Dr. Denise David-Cotton (Storyteller Coach), Erica Anderson (Research Assistant), USF Research Team Members: Ella Bojanic, Dr. Kyaien Conner, Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster, Taneisha Ealey, Dr. Angela Hill, Mashiat Hossan, and Dr. Kristin Kosyluk
Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa { DANCERS: Kyaien Conner (Choreographer), Aiyetora Amadi, Annie Connally, Markquis Kordale, Beryl Colbart, Loudougie Beltinor Lumbala, Natalie Jackson, Osunguiade Olafemi DRUMMERS: Cheikh N’Dong (Musical Director), Domenique Green, Adama, Mutanta Lumbala, Myron Jackson
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