bryan@kringdesign.com

When Regina was 16, while volunteering as a camp counselor she was hit by a falling tree. The accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury. She experienced physical and cognitive issues such as headaches and memory issues. Her recovery was difficult and she developed mental health challenges from PTSD.  Her mother Carole wanted to support [...]

Joseph Badiali knows how hard life can be when you don’t have hope. During high school he lived in Hayward at his grandmother’s house. He has fond memories of living there but it was also a time when he experienced a mental health crisis and at twenty years old found himself arrested and in the [...]

Leah Biruk is 20 years old and the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants. Family and culture are very important to her life. She is currently majoring in public health to learn more about health disparities within low-income neighborhoods and what can be done to help these communities. Leah plans on becoming a doctor and feels having [...]

Barbara Howard willingly accepts her assignments. Her belief in a higher power, being connected to God and knowing that something exists greater than herself has guided her for over twenty years of helping others in the community. “My Lord, my ancestors, my family and friends help keep me going. I truly believe I was born [...]

Lamar Mitchell is a native Oaklander who grew up in the Fruitvale Diamond District. Currently, Lamar is an aspiring screenwriter, film producer, poet and author of two books. But in 1996 when he began to hear voices his life took a turn that led him on a six-year journey of mental illness and instability. He [...]

Zaniyah Pumphrey is a 20-year-old from Fresno California. She is an entertainment content creator, brand ambassador, a daughter, a sister, and a single mother. Her hobbies involve anything with nature or creativity and loves fun and expressive environments. As a young adult, she experienced many depressive times in life trying to find purpose in the [...]

Tanzania Bennett is a 21-year-old from East Oakland. She is a mother of 2 children. She has experienced mental health issues since 8 years old. Her first experience with depression and anxiety occurred when her family went through a divorce and custody battle. Both sides of her family suffer from suicide, severe depression, anxiety, and [...]

Damien Rozell Pope Jr is a 24-year-old black man from Richmond, California who is a poet, mental health advocate, and aspiring therapist. He is a younger brother and son who has been responsible in supporting his mother with her mental health challenges for the last 13 years. I am a passionate individual and artist who [...]

Brianna, also known as Bri, hails from Deep East Oakland, California. Currently, they are a first-year, first-generation student at UC Merced, majoring in psychology and minoring in Community Research and Service. Deeply passionate about social justice, Bri has always been active in their community, drawing strength from the support they received growing up. In 7th [...]

Sabrina Catherine Abong is a 27 year-old foster youth activist. She takes part in the Youth Advisory Board of Oakland. Sabrina has had several articles published including mental health, resilience, role models, and more. She is a former foster youth, a single mother, and a homeowner. Sabrina’s goal is to be a social activist and [...]