MassLive recently asked readers to name who they believe are Black Massachusetts leaders working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or other areas of interest.
Profiles of these leaders The awards will be published in the run up to Juneteenth on June 19. These are people who readers have found to be inspirational and may be doing good things for their communities. They are recognized for their achievements, leadership and efforts to inspire change.
Della Blake
Year: 64
community: Hampden County
Her story: Della Blake is the director of the Black Behavioral Health Network (BBHN), whose mission is to help people in Hampden County access culturally competent community-based behavioral health services and achieve better treatment outcomes.
Founded in March 2017, the organization hopes to address gaps in mental health services and disparities in outcomes faced by groups such as veterans, homeless individuals and families, the unemployed and people battling addiction.
Blake took the position after 34 years with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. He also serves as director of the Black Addiction Counselor Education Program, which aims to increase the number of Black mental health and addiction counselors in Massachusetts by providing training in those areas.
Establishing culturally competent mental health services and addressing health disparities is a big mission that will take time, Blake said, a task he undertakes because he has noticed a lack of such services and continued disparities in Western Massachusetts for many years.
“The need is there. This is a long-term process,” she said.
Blake says her mentors have always encouraged her to stick to her mission no matter what, and their encouraging words, along with a loving and supportive family, have kept her motivated to keep going.
“It should be a mission of love and care for your community. It takes dedication and perseverance. It’s hard work, but what you believe in will inspire you,” she wrote.
In her words: “When you are given a divinely inspired vision, know that He has given it to like-minded people.”
We’re always listening to more amazing people. If you’d like to nominate someone else who should be recognized, This shape.
