Lexi Hopkins Cunningham

My name is Lexi, and I founded Wellness 'N Color. Wellness 'N Color is the result of a lifetime of experiences that have brought me to this moment. The first time I ever experienced suicidality was in 6th grade. I remember texting with another one of my friends who was experiencing the same thoughts and encouraging each other to just make it to school in the morning so we could go on a walk during our break time. I made it to school the next morning impressed that we fortified one another to keep going. That was my first experience of what it looked like for Black girls to show up and care for one another.

My training is in suicidology, the study and research of suicide. I research the history of suicide in the Black community from the slave trade to now and use that context to understand help seeking behaviors among Black youth. My passion is community based resources that have a high impact. I could go on and on about my research and work, but the bottom line is that this work, Wellness 'N Color, makes a difference. It saves lives.

When I think of all the hardships I have faced, I see how they have all brought me to this incredible moment where I can create the community based programs and show young Black women+ that there is a community of care that stands behind them. This is just the beginning of an incredible life's journey that I am so proud to share. I am asking y'all to help me fundraise $5,200 to support this work. $5,200 covers the cost to train a peer support specialist, funds a Shades of Strength group for a year, and covers 4 emergency therapy sessions for participants.

Thank you so much for believing in me, this work, and that suicide is 100% preventable.

In wellness together,
Lexi