04/21/2026
I am deeply grateful to the Burlington-Camden (NJ) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the Burlington Camden Kappa Community Development Corporation for honoring me with the African American Women’s Achievement Award on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Kappas’ commitment to community service—through initiatives like Kappa League youth mentorship and Hannah’s House, which supports women survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence—beautifully aligns with my work in bringing awareness to grief beyond death.
As I received this recognition, I embraced it as a moment to educate and inspire. I shared that while grief is often associated with death, it is truly an emotional response to a wide range of experiences—including trauma, significant life transitions, and losses such as domestic violence, relocation, or job loss.
I also highlighted an important milestone: in January 2024, New Jersey enacted legislation mandating grief education for students in grades 8–12, making it the only state in the nation to require such instruction. This was met with both surprise and pride among attendees, many of whom were previously unaware of this progressive step forward.
Thank you to my family, friends, and colleagues who attended and those who placed congratulatory ads in support. Your love and encouragement mean more than words can express.