2 · NAMI MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi 2618 Southerland Street Jackson, MS 39216 601-899-9058 • 800-357-0388 Fax: 601-956-6380 • namims.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Director Introduction 2 2020 State Conference 3 NAMI Pine Belt 4 NAMI Vicksburg 5 NAMI Central Mississippi 6 NAMI Coastal MS 6 NAMI Four Rivers (MS) Event 7 NAMI Meridian 8 Day at the Capitol 8 In Memoriam: Denika Poole 9 Meet the Staff 10-11 NAMIWalks Mississippi 2020 12-13 Holiday Hello 2020 14-15 Education 16 Calendar of Events • Support Groups 18 Membership 19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brett Mayfield, President Mary Harrington, Vice President & Oxford Affiliate Representative Harriette Mastin, Secretary Marcus Ginn, Treasurer Sherry Bouldin, At Large Clinton Smith, At Large Christiane Williams, At Large Jesse Coppenbarger, At Large Sharon Turner-Davis, At Large Kim Brownlee, Pine Belt Affiliate Representative Patricia Battle, Meridian Affiliate Representative Auvergne Williams, Central MS Affiliate Representative Thomas Carson, Peer Leadership Council Representative Megan Hamm, Four Rivers MS Affiliate Representative STATE OFFICERS Sitaniel J. Wimbley, Executive Director Joy Amerson, Account Manager Kawanna Jenkins, Education Outreach Volunteer Claire Keil, Youth Engagement Specialist David Shumpert, Office Volunteer Latasha Willis, Community Engagement Specialist AFFILIATES Central Mississippi Four Rivers (MS) Pine Belt Vicksburg Meridian Oxford Coastal MS Tupelo (Developing) The NAMI Mississippi newsletter is funded by donations from members and partners, and is published to inform, educate and strengthen the community of individuals and families affected by serious mental illness. The articles and opinions within are not necessarily those of the NAMI Mississippi organization. Content is not intended to endorse any political candidates, viewpoint, treatment or medication.
NAMI Mississippi welcomes Sitaniel J. Wimbley as its new Executive Director. In this role, Sitaniel will continue to work with the NAMI Mississippi Board of Directors, affiliates, community partners and sponsors to improve the lives of persons living with mental illness as well as their families.
W
imbley received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and went on to obtain her Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix in 2006. Wimbley is very knowledgeable of NAMI Mississippi; she has served as Account Manager, Walk Manager, Program Director and Interim Executive Director. Over the last three years, Wimbley has gained extensive knowledge of NAMI and the mental health system. In her learning journey, she has also networked and promoted NAMI Mississippi in many meetings to gain valuable allies along the way. Mrs. Wimbley is devoted to applying her skills, experience, and knowledge to help NAMI Mississippi continue to grow and stop the stigma of mental illness.
Prior to NAMI Mississippi, Wimbley spent years in the banking industry, but she knew that was not her intended calling. Today, she helps to promote mental wellness all over the state of Mississippi. Mrs. Wimbley specializes in helping individuals living with a mental illness to overcome the stigma associated with mental illness. She is no stranger to mental illness and the stigma surrounding it as she was born to a mother who lives with bipolar schizophrenia. She considers herself a proud symbol of her mother’s determination to overcome the stigma. A native of Natchez, Sitaniel and her husband Jonathan reside in Brandon with their two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, helping her daughters in various extracurricular activities, and actively learning to practice self-care.
