Dr. Jackman's Remarks for Boston Innovator of the Year Award

Sincere thanks to Mayor Walsh, Black Employees Network, and City of Boston, for this award!

It is a surreal experience to be honored tonight. So I humbly say THANK YOU. To be honored with this esteemed group. Wooh.

This is unimaginable that mental health is sharing a stage with these living legends and community heroes.

Just 1 year ago when I officially launched InnoPsych, in January 2020. I was driven by a purpose to change the landscape of mental health. I wanted to make it easier and faster for people of color to find therapists of color!! And I wanted to be instrumental in changing the conversation of mental health in communities of color by offering quality educational programming! And then COVID hit, and I responded to the call. I used this opportunity to lead, co-host, and co-sponsor over 50 events in a 6 month period.

We have grown the directory to over 350 therapist, and in 2021, we have a very ambitious goal to recruit 2021 therapists….So if you are a therapist of color, make sure you are listed!! If you know a therapist of color, make sure that they are listed too.

I have to shout out people who have made his journey possible:

I want to thank my family, Jeff, my husband, Sydney and Simone, Mom and Dad, and my sister. Community of friends at BAA, my high school friends, my bookclub and my church community. Most of all, I want to thank the people of Boston and beyond, who have allowed me into their hearts and minds to share and to talk about a very difficult topic, MENTAL HEALTH.

I can’t leave without thanking my mentors who have modeled how to be give back to the community.

Finally, a huge acknowledgement to The InnoPsych Team: Denisse Mayers Paulino from DEMP Agency and Jennae Herbert…we are small, but strong!

Thank you again for this award…it is extremely meaningful, and I’m just getting started!!

Thank you!!

-Dr. Charmain Jackman