DBGM’s Board of Directors

Antoine Craigwell, Founder, President, and CEO
Trained as a journalist, Antoine wrote for several local and national publications. He graduated from Bernard Baruch College of the City University of New York, and in 2008 he earned awards from the New York Association of Black Journalists. He produced the documentary “You Are Not Alone” (www.yana-thefilm.com) and facilitates discussion fora on depression in Black gay men. He presented a poster exhibition “Examining Depression and HIV in Black gay men” at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, and in 2013 founded DBGM, Inc. (www.dbgm.org) a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness of the underlying factors contributing to depression and suicidal ideation in Black gay men. Antoine presented workshops on the convergence of HIV and mental health, and as a keynote speaker at several national and international conferences. He provides training in LGBT peoples of color cultural competency, mental health and HIV, for the Washington DC Court System and lectures in this subject to medical students attending Touro College of Osteopathy. He is a certified National Mental Health First Aid Instructor. In publication, he was featured in several magazines, including “Headcase – an Anthology of LGBTQ Writers and Artists on Mental Health and Wellness”, published by Oxford University Press, Feb 2019, and in the NY Governor’s Suicide Prevention Report “Considerations and Contexts for Treatment – the Whole Person”, April 2019.  Together with DBGM, he hosted the first-ever LGBT Peoples of Color Mental Health Summit at Rutgers University, Newark Campus in 2014, and from 2015 to present, In My Mind – a Mental Health Conference for LGBTQ+ Peoples of Color, which in 2019 celebrated its fifth anniversary and was recognized with a Citation from NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo and a Proclamation from NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio declaring October 10, 2019 “In My Mind Day”. He appeared on radio (online and in-studio) shows, television interviews – on ARISE TV, ABC Channel 7 “Here and Now, with Sandra Bookman”, “In Focus with Cheryl Wills” on NY1, BronxNet TV, and BRIC TV in Brooklyn. He was a guest panelist on BBC World News “Have Your Say” radio program, on Mental Health Radio, and Caribbean Power Jam. Antoine serves on the NY State Multicultural Advisory Council, is a chair of the NYC DOHMH LGBT CSB Task Force, is a member of the NYS LGBT Network, is an NYC SGL Equality Coalition steering committee member, is a founding member and executive of Guyanese In The Diaspora, Inc., a member of the NYCDOHMH Community Advisory Board on the City’s response to COVID-19 for contact, testing, and tracing; and was a member of the New York State Suicide Prevention Task Force. He is in the process of completing a book in which Black gay men share stories of their struggles with depression.
dbgm_gardere Jeffery Gardere Ph.D
Jeffery Gardere, Ph.D. is Co-Executive Producer for the documentary “You Are Not Alone”. Better known as “America’s Psychologist”, Dr. Jeff is one of the most widely sought-after experts in the field of mental health. He is a regular guest on The NBC Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, HLN, The Maury Povich Show, The CBS Early Morning Show, Fox Business News, FOX News, Nancy Grace, Tru-TV Reality Specials, and court shows. Dr. Jeff has authored several books, including his controversial book, “Love Prescription.” He is also the co-author of “Practical Parenting” with Montel Williams. Dr. Jeff’s first book, “Smart Parenting for African-Americans: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Difficult World.” With a private practice, Dr. Jeff is on the faculty of the Harlem, NY-based Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.
dbgm_noimage Lauren Johnson, PHR – Human Resources

Lauren has more than 20 years of experience as a Human Resources (HR) professional, and in payroll and facilities management. Bringing a wide range of experiences to the DBGM Board of Directors, she worked in the music, retail, non-profit, fashion, and insurance industries. In other community work with her church, Lauren manages a monthly lunch program dedicating to feeding people in need. Working with DBGM, she uses her HR skills in formulating the organization’s policies and procedures, interpersonal and interagency relationships, and oversight to ensure accountability and transparency.
Alex Joinville, LMHC –  Acting Treasurer, and Program Director

Alex Joinville, LMHC, joined the DBGM Board following his participation in In My Mind Conference (2018) at the Metropolitan College of New York. He supervises a counseling program at the State University of New York Downstate STAR Program, where he provides mental health services to individuals diagnosed or at risk of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C infections.  Prior to joining the STAR program, he was a mental health specialist with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) Manhattan Mobile Crisis Team, where he provided crisis intervention, assessment, and linkage to individuals experiencing psychological distress. He was also part of the VNSNY’s Act Team, Behavioral Health Transition Program, and Intensive Case Management Program.  Alex worked at WIN West providing services to individuals living in a single women’s mental health shelter. He is experienced in providing mental health counseling in English and Haitian Creole and provides individual, couple, family, and group therapies. He has more than 17-years’ experience in the social service field, including mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare. Alex received his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. As a Board Member, he is acting Treasurer and is responsible for the organization’s “I Am Working on Healing” program: “Sons“, a group for gay men of color struggling with mental health issues and HIV, and “HER“, a group for mothers and women of color, whose sons took their lives or died from HIV/AIDS.

 

Legal Representation
dbgm_sanders Robert Schaffer, Esq., Troutman Sanders, LLP
Robert, as a partner with the law firm, Troutman, Sanders, provides pro bono legal services for DBGM, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, and contracts and agreements are executed efficiently and in the shared best interests of DBGM and its collaborators. He received the DBGM Supporter Award on Oct 9, 2020 for his commitment and work for the organization at “Together We Are @ The Table” Reception, part of the fifth anniversary of the “In My Mind” Conference, hosted by #TwitterOpen at their offices.