thank you for attending our event! 

2019 Champions of Mental Health Awards Dinner featuring artists LB Crew (season 16) and Missy Robertson (season 12) from NBC’s “the voice”

with great appreciation to our sponsors and supporters

Hosted by California State University, Sacramento, the 2019 Champions of Mental Health Awards Dinner convened an array of mental health advocates to celebrate statewide and national leadership responsible for designing solutions to complex community mental health concerns. A glamorous, culturally-diverse gathering of supporters enjoyed guest speakers, food and desserts, complimentary wine by Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, fellowship, networking, and top entertainment. Resonating through the room, our anti-stigma message built bonds of trust among attendees. We stand in great appreciation for the generous support of our sponsors, speakers, honorees, guests, volunteers, and vendors who worked together to bring our event to life.

2019 Honorees: Theopia Jackson, Ph.D., President, The Association of Black Psychologists, Inc. for the “Cultural Practitioner Award”; Senator Jim Beall, California's 15th Senate District for the “Legislator of the Year Award”; and the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health for the “Advocacy Leadership Award”. We are extremely proud of our honorees’ contributions to the health and mental wellness of the people of California.

Guest speakers included Galen Duncan, Ph.D., Vice President, Kings Academy and Professional Development, Sacramento Kings; Eileen Kim, Miss California 2019; Dennis Godby, BS, MA, ND, Founder, Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center; Lakshmi Malroutu, Ph.D., Chief Operations Officer, Asian Pacific Community Counseling; and Ms. Lishia Jackson, Counselor, Folsom Lake College and Consumer Representative, Stop Stigma Sacramento.

Guests were thrilled by LB Crew, a dynamic pop-soul/R&B singer known to millions on NBC’s hit show “The Voice” (Season 16 Blind Auditions). His powerful voice embodies passion and conviction, creating magic for audiences including music industry veterans Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine. LB brings rich, soulful vocals to the music industry as a performer, producer, and bandleader. LB was accompanied by Malik Hill on violin during a rendition of “Waves”, with Miss California 2019, Eileen Kim, joining on violin. Our lineup also featured Missy Robertson from the 12th season of NBC’s “The Voice”. Her emotional delivery of popular and original songs are known worldwide, showcasing her church roots all the way to modern soulful musical influences. Lead and background vocals were performed by Jimi Morris, lead vocalist of Sacramento’s “Mercy Me” band, and LaKeisha Mondy. Music was performed by the Harley White, Jr. Quartet, led by Pulitzer Prize-nominated musician and composer Harley White, Jr., a self-described “Bluesician”, best known as a virtuoso bassist. The Northern California-based instrumentalist’s talents earned him a 2015 Pulitzer Prize nomination as musical director of Mark Stein’s “Direct From Death Row, The Scottsboro Boys: An Evening of Vaudeville and Sorrow.” Rounding out the incredible musicianship were Clark Goodloe on keyboard, Dominic Garcia on drums, and Reagan Branch on saxophone.

What an amazing event you and your team organized! Congratulations! Your hard work, dedication, and vision were extremely apparent. Thank you so much for inviting me to speak. It was a wonderful evening I will never forget. It was such a pleasure meeting you and so many other amazing people. My sons enjoyed it so much, and we are still talking about it! - Dennis Godby, BS, MA, ND, Founder, Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center

What an honor and privilege it was to be part of last night's event. My family and I have been glowing. You are to be commended for your work and efforts. - Theopia Jackson, Ph.D., 2019 - 2021 President, The Association of Black Psychologists, Inc.

Kristene, your event was absolutely fabulous. Ryan and I really enjoyed the highlight and recognition of so many amazing Mental Health Ambassadors and Pioneers. - Ebony Chambers, Chief Officer, Family and Youth Partnership, Stanford Youth Solutions + Sierra Forever Families

We all had a wonderful time at the event! The speakers and award winners were very inspiring. The band and singers were amazing! And for us it was even more special since we all know Missy Robertson because she used to be a Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network staff member (Dreamcatchers is our not-for-profit). You did a phenomenal job with hosting! Thank you again! We were so happy to be a part of the event! - Kari Friesen, Director of Communications, Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc.

Kristene, congratulations on the wonderful event. CCUIH was grateful for the honoring and pleased to attend the event. It was a special night! - Jyl Marden, Executive Director, California Consortium for Urban Indian Health

Beautiful program with exceptional musicians and singers, noteworthy honorees, great buffet with wine, wonderful guest speakers, and an excellent keynote presentation. Celebrating community wellness as each one needs the other in order for the collective to provide effective mental health solutions, especially for vulnerable populations. - Pleshette Robertson, Founder & CEO, SacCulturalHub Media

A great event honoring those in the mental health field. Thanks, Kristene Smith, for a wonderful event! Wonderful entertainment! - Zoritha Thompson, President, Goree & Thompson Real Estate

"What's Goin' On?" LB Crew performed a phenomenal number. Music so stirring and evocative, brought tears to my eyes. Talent galore. Incredible visual slide show -- a punch to the gut in such a powerful way. Marvin Gaye told it to us in '71 -- and the message still remains clear almost 50 years hence, we must work on these societal challenges together. "Come on talk to me, so you can see, what's goin' on." - Ingrid Hart, President, Modern Communication

It was a stupendous night's event. I was ever so thankful to be in attendance. Thanks Kristene for bringing these dynamic professionals before us. - Mykel Gayent, Coordinator, FaithNet, NAMI Sacramento

It was a great evening and the speakers were awesome! I was so happy to be in attendance. Thank you is not enough for all you. I pray God will grant you the desires of your heart. - Tina Roberts, Co-Founder, Roberts Family Development Center

Such an amazing event highlighting the work of champions in mental health. Thank you to Kristene Smith for the invitation, and job well done! - Pastor Les Simmons, Associate Pastor, South Sacramento Christian Center

Such an AMAZING event and so honored to be on the board of a great organization, Mental Health California. Speakers were remarkable, great entertainment, and inspiring honorees that are well deserving of the awards they received. I’m truly thankful for being able to attend. Thank you to our Founder and CEO, Kristene Smith, for such a well organized event. - Kevin Hellon II, President & CEO, The Hellon Corporation and Offstream Entertainment

A great event from such a wonderful organization and collaborative partner! - Quinn Gregory, Executive Director, Placer Nevada & Yuba Sutter Colusa Medical Society

Kristene, I am so proud of the work that you do. You are impacting so many people in a positive way. I was honored to attend this great event. I salute you. You are a blessing! - Pastor Alonzo G. Morris, Paradise Missionary Baptist Church

Kristene, your entire multi-media team also made this event special from cameramen to your lighting mixer, your spotlight team to the sound engineer, to your stage managers. It was a great event! - Mark Freeman, President, KTImedia