Laqwanda Roberts-buckley, Social Justic Advocate

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First off, Imma need Passive White America to step back with this “Its time for our nation to heal” stuff. Its not that I do not believe in healing. However, how are you going to tell a people who were traumatized for 4 years how and when they should heal. Yes, President Biden won. Yes, I’m excited to see Vice President Kamala Harris. But this does not warrant a group of people who thought nothing of the lives of my people to say “Let’s get back to the business of the American people”.

Laqwanda Roberts-buckley mental health advocate

​From weight gain due to medication changes and the mystery illness from hell, at the end of the whirlwind that we call 2020, I made a promise to myself. I promised that I would focus on my physical health as much as I did my mental well-being. Since I have been known to put in that work when it comes to my mental health, I did not want to short step the process of working for the body and physical health that I desired. In order to make this a reality, I knew that I could not do it alone. I would need professional help. So, I hired Jonathan Adriel as my personal trainer.

laqwanda roberts-buckley social justice advocate 

​​I remember 2 years ago being in a room filled with Creators from around the world. As a Black male took center stage, the topic of code switching arose. The room was suddenly filled with nods and claps from Black Creators who shared one experience after another regarding switching things up from the workplace to their daily lives. In the mist of this moment of solidarity and comradery, another Black male stood and spoke. I will never forget the words that came from his mouth. He looked at each and everyone one of his Black and Brown brothers and sister and stated, “I feel sorry for everyone of you.”

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE 

Originally Written January 2021 I know I’m not alone in watching the bullshit that took place yesterday with my mouth wide open. My thoughts were like most If these were Black Lives Matters protestors, we would have been slaughtered. We witnessed racism and white privilege in its purest form yesterday. Domestic terrorists attacked the U.S. Capitol, and nothing was done for hours.

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE 

Originally Written 2020 It is 5:22AM. As a Black Woman, my mind has been on an emotional rollercoaster all week. I have found myself just looking around wondering how did we get to this point. Then I remember that America has truly never moved from the days of slavery, Jim Crow, Segregation, and the racial brutality from the 50’s or 60’s. Now, America just presents it to us in different forms. ​

laqwanda roberts-buckley mental health advocate 

Originally Written 2020 My mind was betraying me. I always considered myself as an intellectual of some sort at least. If there was one thing, I could depend on it was my ability to process information and find solutions. I also love helping people. When the opportunity came for me to choose my forever career, I knew that becoming a Mental Health Therapist was a good fit for me. ​

Laqwanda roberts-buckley mental health advocate 

​Originally Written 2020 “Mommy, I didn’t know you were depressed”, were the words my daughter spoke one morning as we prepared for the first day of school back in 2018. It was in that moment I realized she saw the mood magnet on the refrigerator. I had forgotten to change it. You see, I promised myself to be honest about my emotions every day. For me, this meant going to the refrigerator to adjust the magnet accordingly. However, I established one exception. Whenever my daughter was present, I would lie.

Laqwanda Roberts-buckley wellness consultant 

​Originally Written 2019 Sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves. We don’t always have the energy that we desire to have. I found myself over the past few months unwilling to write and pay attention to my blog.

lAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE 

Originally Written 2019​ My name is Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley. I am the former Director of Outreach for the national office of a mental health non-profit, former therapist, a certified life coach, and Reiki practitioner. I also experience debilitating depressive episodes on a regular basis. ​

LAQWANDA ROBERTS-BUCKLEY MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE 

Originally Written 2019 “Rice. No, she wants rice.” Those were the thoughts drowning the inner depths of my mind as I watched my 14-year-old daughter’s hand pull the bag of rice from the cabinet. She had been sick the night before and was lacking the strength to make breakfast herself.