Project Leadership

Dr. Renae D. Mayes is an associate professor in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies and a faculty affiliate in the Education Policy Center at the University of Arizona. She is a licensed school counselor and national certified counselor. She completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at The Ohio State University where she was a Todd Anthony Bell Fellow. She has collaborated with students and faculty in school counseling, school psychology, and educational leadership to publish over 55 articles and book chapters in journals such as Professional School Counseling, Urban Education, Gifted Child Today, and Journal of Multicultural Education and presented this work at local, state, national, and international conferences.

Dr. Mayes provides broad leadership, vision, and oversight for Black Youth Mental Health Initiative, (BYMHI); overseeing the budget, selection of advisory council members; policy assessment, intervention, and evaluation; approving BYMHI program designs; and facilitating relationships with  RPS and other partners. Dr. Mayes co-leads weekly BYMHI team meetings, co-leads the Advisory Council, co-leads the policy assessment process utilizing the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, supports the development and implementation of professional development opportunities, and dissemination of BYMHI program efforts and results.

Lauren C. Mims, Ph.D is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dr. Mims was formerly Assistant Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans during the Obama Administration, where she focused her efforts on student programming, policymaking, strategic planning and management of projects and priorities. She was a member of the White House Council on Women and Girls, the U.S. Department of Education Policy Committee, the U.S. Department of Education Socioeconomic Diversity Working Group, as well as a member of First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Working Group. 

Dr. Mims' research examines how school environments influence how African American youth learn and develop their identities. Broadly, the ultimate goal of Dr. Mims' research is to “freedom dream” (Kelley, 2002) with Black children and their families, and then use that brilliance to guide the development of new research, policies, practices, and narratives. Working closely with PI Mayes, Dr. Mims assists in the planning and execution of all facets of the grant including research design, recruitment, data collection, interpretation of results, curriculum development, and dissemination. Dr. Mims’ primary leadership include: 1) leading qualitative data collection and analysis, 2) co-leading engagement with members of the school district, community, and advisory council, and 3) developing and implementing a professional development summit and sustained community of practice for educators. 

Dr. Harris is an educational consultant who formerly served as a tenured associate professor and professional school counselor in K-20 schools. He earned his B.S.Ed. in Health & Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Medicine and his M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of Virginia. He worked as a high school counselor for several years prior to completing his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Maryland, where the program's emphasis was on promoting systemic equity, access, and justice in schools through counseling. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University. His area of focus includes 1) Promoting the academic, emotional, and career development of K-20 students and adults, with emphasis on Black communities; 2) Facilitating the identity development process of Black male student-athletes; and 3) Cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations. He has experience in policy and program development in P-12 schools along with a record of building strategic partners in schools, communities, and higher education. 

Dr. Harris will serve as the consultant supporting all aspects of BYMHI through collaboration with the Project Director, Co-PI, and RPS Liaison. In particular, Dr. Harris is based in Richmond, VA, and  will attend regular BYMHI activities, co-lead Advisory Council meetings, and support the policy assessment process utilizing the PRECEDEPROCEED model. Additionally, Dr. Harris will support the BYMHI program design along with development of professional development and training opportunities for social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, etc. including modules for the online repository. 

Angela Ransom Jones, Ed.S, NCSP (RPS). Ms. Jones is the Director of Culture, Climate, and Student Services in the Office of Student Wellness in RPS. Ms. Jones has served in this role for over 8 years, where she has helped to build capacity in RPS to work collaboratively with students, families, and the community to support student success by identifying and addressing barriers to learning, promoting safe learning environments, increasing attendance, and encouraging overall student wellness. Further, Ms. Jones provides leadership at the district level to guide the implementation of the multi-tiered support systems for prevention and intervention services related to behavioral and mental health support. She is a licensed school psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist with over 25 years of experience in Richmond Public Schools. As a school psychologist, Ms. Jones worked to meet the needs of a diverse urban K-12 population, focusing on children with disabilities, truant students, students in crises, and justice-involved students. She has served as the chair of the Family Assessment and Planning Team, a Child Welfare Expert Panel member, and provided numerous training for community members and city employees regarding mental and behavioral health.  Ms. Jones earned her bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and graduate degrees (MA in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology; Ed. Specialist in Combined School and Counseling Psychology) from James Madison University.

Ms. Jones is responsible for serving as a liaison between BYMHI, RPS, and community partners located in the greater Richmond, VA metropolitan area. Ms. Jones will also support policy assessment, intervention, and evaluation through the PRECEDE- PROCEED model which includes being an active participant of the Advisory Council. Further, Ms. Jones will also provide RPS specific policy and data for the Advisory Council to review. The RPS Liaison will provide guidance to determine feasibility of BYMHI policy and program designs. 

Tina Bowman-Finney, MSW (RPS). Ms. Bowman-Finney is a Social Work Specialist in the department of Culture, Climate, and Student Services in RPS. Prior to serving in this leadership role at the district level, Ms. Bowman-Finney served as a social worker in k-12 schools. Ms. Bowman-Finney has served as a social worker in Richmond community and was recently recognized for her outstanding service as a 2022 support staff of the year in RPS.  Ms. Bowman-Finney earned her bachelors and masters degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (social work). 

Ms. Bowman-Finney is responsible for serving as a liaison between BYMHI, RPS, and community partners located in the greater Richmond, VA metropolitan area. Ms. Bowman-Finney will also support policy assessment, intervention, and evaluation through the PRECEDE- PROCEED model which includes being an active participant of the Advisory Council. Further, Ms. Bowman-Finney will also provide RPS specific policy and data for the Advisory Council to review. Ms. Bowman-Finney will provide guidance to determine feasibility of BYMHI policy and program designs.