White Bengal Tiger Winter 2019 whitebengalfall2019-2 | Page 6

When I started my reign, my platform
was focused on building up and giving back to
the youth in the community. In the months after
being crowned, I took on a number of
individual projects which included joining and
chairing the QYAB- Queer Youth Advisory
Board for Exponents Inc. I aimed to better
engage the youth and find ways our
organization could contribute to it. I donated
more than $150.00 worth of school supplies to
a local school in my area and will continue to
donate.
In the closing months of 2018, I lost a
good friend due to issues around mental health.
I quickly realized that mental health is not just
an issue with our youth, but within the
community as a whole. In my current roll as a
Medical Case Manager, I’ve helped compile a list
of mental health providers in New York City
that are either pro bono, take state insurance or
private insurance. I’m currently speaking with
the President of the organization on starting
mental health groups for all of our youth and
adult patents that we see. I am teaming up with
a trans colleague to see how we could combine
a mental health and substance use curriculum
for our patients who turn to drugs because of
mental health issues such as depression.
“The title of being Mr. Kpsi
represents change and honor.”
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