MAJI HAILEMARIAM DEBENA, PhD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Hailemariam is a mental health epidemiologist, a researcher, and advocate for equitable mental health care globally.

Her research interests include mental health care for under-served populations in low-resource settings including within high-income countries. Her research focuses on developing lay provider or peer provider-delivered mental health interventions to improve access to mental health services, improve functioning, and reduce mental health symptoms. Her research is guided by understanding barriers to mental health care that are disproportionately experienced by under-served populations including perinatal women, rural residents, and justice-involved individuals in low-resource settings.

Developing Mental Health Equity Solutions

KENYETTA DOTSON, MA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION, FLINT REGISTRY

Kenyetta Dotson is a community organizer, encouraging positive systemic change throughout the City of Flint, Genesee County, and beyond. She has over 30 years of community development experience, serving as an advocate for youth, families, and survivors of violence. She founded a local non-profit organization committed to eliminating the culture and tolerance for violence.

Dotson works closely with youth, parents, organizations, and so many more to instill hope, provoke forward thinking, and apply solution-driven action to address community needs. Kenyetta has devoted her life to aide youth, families, marginalized groups and communities who have experienced financial and social hardships, by helping to restore independence, self-sufficiency, and leadership skills. She works diligently to promote awareness, improve living conditions, and create opportunities and access to the most needed services for families with barriers and immense needs.