Just recently, we lost one of our Sorors from Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey, former Lincoln University VP of Student Affairs, was laid to rest after taking her own life earlier this month. Her suicide prompted a national conversation on the treatment of Black women in academia. She had even written her dissertation about the hardships Black women face while climbing this professional ladder.
There are calls for the university president John Moseley to be terminated, due to his mistreatment of her. An e-mail to a longtime friend the day she committed suicide included a letter to the president, saying he intentionally harassed, bullied her and more. She had also shared with loved ones their relationship had soured. He fired Candia-Bailey January 3rd and five days later, she took her life.
This tragedy urged me to reach out to one of my sorority sisters, LPC Jessica Horne, of From a Strong Place, for a needed conversation. Lean in as we discuss mental health in the workplace for women of color, available support systems, suicidal ideation and more.