We are partnering with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the funding provided by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (MH/DD/SUS), to increase the capacity of alcohol and other drug (AOD) students and professionals on HBCU campuses.
Real influence isn’t about likes or followers — it’s about creating a legacy of healing and empowerment in your community. The work you do as a mental health professional will resonate for generations.
APNC’s HBCU Ambassadors transform their campuses by promoting holistic well-being through innovative initiatives, peer support, and advocacy for mental health and substance use awareness.
During the first year of the pilot program:
800
Students reached
15
Events held
3
Pilot institutions
Your Community Needs You
Research has shown and supported that people are more likely to seek mental health support if they have access to providers who share their racial, ethnic, or cultural background. Students at HBCUs often face unique mental health challenges, including navigating systemic inequities and cultural expectations, highlighting the need for tailored support and resources.
> 60%
During the 2020–2021 school year, more than 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study, which collects data from 373 campuses nationwide (Lipson, S. K., et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 306, 2022).
+ 40%
The number of students seeking help at campus counseling centers increased almost 40% between 2009 and 2015 and continued to rise until the pandemic began, according to data from Penn State University’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), a research-practice network of more than 700 college and university counseling centers (CCMH Annual Report, 2015).
900
About 900 faculty and staff at the University of North Carolina have received training in Mental Health First Aid, which provides basic skills for supporting people with mental health and substance use issues. Other institutions are offering workshops and materials that teach faculty to “recognize, respond, and refer,” including Penn State’s Red Folder campaign.
37%
Over one-third of HBCU students who responded to a 2021 survey indicated recent mental health challenges. Read More >
Get Involved
You can pursue a purpose-driven career that positively impacts your community or join the community of ambassadors and advocates for wellness.
Our Real Influencers
APNC is building a pipeline of Real Influencers who are making a difference in their communities. As alumni of APNC’s leadership training and workforce development programs, these Real Influencers are already inspiring hope and recovery:
Monica Jenkins, (She/They)
APNC’s Health Policy Leadership Academy and APNC Prevention Fellowship
North Carolina Central University
Junior, Majoring in Public Health
Why did you choose this career pathway?
BIPOC LGBTQIA+ youth have consistently been excluded from substance misuse prevention methods. I am passionate about eradicating health disparities, specifically for this population.
What is one goal you have about the impact you’ll make or the influence you’ll have on others’ lives?
I am committed to centering BIPOC LGBTQIA+ youth communities because we can not obtain true liberation until they do.
Keithan R. James
APNC’s Community Engagement and Advocacy Leadership Academy
Fayetteville State University
Bachelors and Masters in Social Work with Substance Use Certificate
Why did you choose this career pathway?
I chose this career pathway because I have a deep passion for helping. My experience in the military and mental health field showed me the importance of advocacy in creating lasting change.
What is one goal you have about the impact you’ll make or the influence you’ll have on others’ lives?
My goal is to empower individuals by providing them with the tools, support, and encouragement they need to overcome obstacles and build a better future. I want to inspire resilience and positive transformation in the lives of those I serve.
Leadership Academy
Knowing that I’m making a difference, especially in my own community, it just makes me know I’m doing the right thing. And we’re moving in the right path.
—Ashanti Gaydon, Alumni, APNC’s Health Policy Leadership Academy and APNC’s Community Engagement and Advocacy Leadership Academy
The mission of the Leadership Academy is to prepare students for their eventual future as professionals. It helps them to build the skills they already have and apply them to advocacy.
Participating HBCUs
APNC is proud to serve our state’s 10 HBCUs in varying capacities. APNC’s North Carolina Higher Education Consortium (NCHEC) currently works directly with all UNC-System HBCUs and several HBCUs within the NC Independent Colleges and Universities. If you would like more information on how you can be involved, email us at info@apnc.org
Want to make a real difference in your community? Consider a career in mental health by exploring your HBCU’s program offerings below.
Ambassador Toolkit
Real Influencers start with a smile, not with a screen. They understand the power of human connection and use it to build bridges of support.
