NAMI CC CEO Gigi Crowder, L.E., was recently awarded Oakland Black Joy Parade’s “Icon Among Us” award, recognizing leaders dedicated to igniting change.
About Black Joy Parade
Black Joy Parade is a hyper-positive non-profit based in Oakland, CA that celebrates the Black experience and community’s contribution to history and culture with its signature annual parade and celebration, partnerships and events. The Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and allies a live experience that celebrates our influence on cultures past, present and future. It unites a diverse community by creating a space to express each unique contribution to the Black experience, inviting the community to be creative, be open, be present, and be free.
Black Joy Parade is teamed up with Comcast to recognize activists icons. NAMI CC CEO Gigi Crowder will be crowned at the celebration this year in late February honoring Black History Month. At selection, Icon Gigi Crowder received a $5,000 contribution to a nonprofit of their choice, which she chose to be NAMI CC, to recognize their commitment and contribution to creating more space for Black Joy to thrive.
Gigi’s Accomplishments
To be eligible, Gigi Crowder had to be primarily based in the 9 Bay Area counties, engaged in social equity work elevating the community for at least 7 years, and work was required be tied to an official organization (preferably a nonprofit but not mandatory) in good standing and primarily focus on benefitting the Black community.
Gigi Crowder has elevated the African American Uplift program over the last several years and helped establish the Contra Costa County’s African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub. In addition, she has led the African American outreach efforts at NAMI CC, helping people through culturally responsive peer specialist support through the criminal justice system and promoting growing and healing for men of color through workshops. Gigi has also spearheaded interfaith trainings aimed at providing faith congregations the tools needed to build Mental Health Friendly Communities. She is undoubtedly the most deserving of this award, and she is indeed a remarkable icon. We enjoyed seeing Gigi waving on the float at the Black Joy Parade this year!
