The Baltimore non-profit will bring together mental health experts, advocates, and allies throughout the city to honor Angela Celestin, Robert Matthews, and Goucher College.
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s flagship mental health awareness event, LOUDER, will be held on Wednesday, April 17th, at 5:30 p.m. at The Winslow. This annual award event and celebration serves as a rallying point, recognizing individuals and companies that are committed to ending the stigma around mental health in Baltimore through NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s #IWillListen Campaign.
Mental health experts, advocates, and allies from across the city will unite to honor this year’s recipients Angela Celestin, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and Robert Matthews, VP & Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Exelon. Both Celestin and Matthews embody the spirit of advocacy and inclusivity, fostering a supportive environment at their respective companies and in their communities. Both CareFirst & Exelon have promoted employee mental health by engaging in regular workshops with NAMI Metro Baltimore that explore everything from creating a stigmafree workplace, to the intersection of race and mental health to understanding suicide and caring for the caregivers.
Additionally, Goucher College will be recognized with the # IWillListen Student Impact Award for its unwavering commitment to the #IWillListen campaign since 2018. Through innovative and engaging methods, such as campus walks, fitness events, and tailored workshops, Goucher College’s Counseling Center has initiated vital conversations about mental health among students, helping to end the stigma on its campus.
“The staggering reality that 80% of employees with mental health issues feel too stigmatized to seek help highlights the critical need for our #IWillListen initiatives,” said Kerry Graves, Executive Director of NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. “By promoting open discussions in workplaces and colleges, we’re breaking down barriers and creating a more supportive environment. These programs are essential, providing a vital connection for those feeling isolated. We need more colleges and companies to follow in the footsteps of our honorees and prioritize mental health in their organizations and communities.”
Funds raised from the LOUDER event will fuel NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of local individuals, families, and communities affected by mental health conditions. Donations will enable the organization to continue to expand vital support groups, educational programs, and mental health services offered at no cost to the Baltimore community.
“At CareFirst, we have been working closely with NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore to deliver mental health workshops for our employees that have been critical to the wellbeing of our workforce,” explained Angela Celestin. “This cause is especially important to me because healthcare, especially access to mental health services, is still inequitable for many Americans. The quality of healthcare you receive should not depend on the neighborhood you grow up in.”
Robert Matthews shared, “This cause is especially important to me. My life’s journey includes the deaths in the late 1990s of both parents and two brothers in a short period of time – and more recently, my brother’s death in 2021 due to COVID-19. Needless to say, the loss has been difficult for my family and me. My life centers on leveraging my own life experiences, including my grief, to be a source of healing and comfort for others. Mental health resources have been essential to my well-being. I want to ensure others have access to these resources.”
NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore is proud to have BGE as LOUDER’s Presenting Sponsor, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield as LOUDER’s Premier Sponsor, and additional sponsors Bon Secours Baltimore Foundation, Sheppard Pratt, and Formosa Bros Investments. For more information about NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, the LOUDER event, or to purchase tickets, please visit our website.
About NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore: NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, a NAMI affiliate serving Baltimore City and Baltimore County, is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with mental health conditions, their families, and communities through education, support, and advocacy. With a legacy of 40 years, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore remains a beacon of hope and support for over 18,000 individuals and family members annually.
