Production Team

Dr. Ebony Rao, LCMHCS

Dr. Ebony Rao is a public health leader, mental health professional, researcher, and community advocate with more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of public health, behavioral health, trauma, and community systems. She serves as Senior Health Program Manager for the Office of Violence Prevention at Mecklenburg County Public Health, where she provides leadership for the Gun Violence Prevention Program and, previously, the ReCAST II (Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma).

ReCAST II was a four-year, $4 million SAMHSA-funded initiative focused on building community resilience, expanding access to trauma-informed care, strengthening community partnerships, and reducing community violence.

Dr. Rao earned her Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and holds graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology and School Counseling from Columbia University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and is passionate about mental health equity, childhood trauma, violence prevention, community empowerment, and perinatal mental health. 

Jessica Montana, MPH, CHES

Jessica Montana is a Health Program Supervisor with the Mecklenburg County Public Health Office of Violence Prevention. With many years of experience working with diverse populations in health care and public health systems, Jessica specializes in program development, community engagement, and data and grants management. She has worked on multiple projects that address chronic disease, substance misuse, and mental health. 

Jessica received her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®). She is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, a Community Resiliency Model (CRM®) Teacher, and is trained as a health coach. In 2018, the coalition she led won the CADCA Chairman’s Award for excellence in community engagement and strategic planning. In 2026, Jessica was recognized as a Mental Health Champion by Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. Jessica is fluent in English and Spanish, and she is passionate about public health education, well-being, and community healing. 

Chantel Lowery, DrPH, CHES

Dr. Chantel Lowery is a Health Program Supervisor for the Child Fatality Review Team in Mecklenburg County Public Health (Charlotte, North Carolina). She has worked in the field of public health for over 10+ years, received her Doctorate in Public Health from Loma Linda University, Masters from the University of Southern California, her Bachelors of Arts in Human Development from the University of California, San Diego and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Within the Child Fatality Review Team, Dr. Lowery collaborates with prominent leaders in Mecklenburg County to review child fatality cases in Mecklenburg County with the goal of producing prevention recommendations to be implemented within the community.

Rosie Brown-Cooley

Rosie Brown-Cooley is a grants coordinator for Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) for the Health Program Manager of Community Grants. She also provides administrative support to the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP)/ Resiliency in Communities after Stress and Trauma (Re-CAST II) team. 

Although new to the Public Health sector Ms. Brown- Cooley has vast experience in executive administration, office management, customer relations, and external partnership building. 

During her free time Ms. Brown-Cooley enjoys line dancing, flag worship at her church, and spending time with her five grandchildren of whom she has a set of identical twin girls.

Carla A. Carlisle

Carla A. Carlisle is the founder and executive director of The Compassionate Companion®, an author, speaker, and trauma-informed mental wellness educator. Drawing on her experience as a mother and advocate, she equips youth, families, and communities with practical tools to understand emotions, build resilience, and strengthen connection.

Her work includes My Big Notebook, co-authored with her son JC, and My Epic Flow, alongside workshops and curricula delivered in schools, detention centers, and community settings. She also contributes lived-experience perspectives to research initiatives focused on youth suicide prevention and family mental wellness. Her approach reflects her E2 Formula: Evidence + Empathy = Impact™.

A This Is My Brave Boston 2023 storyteller and CharMeck Youth Show Director in 2024, Carla helps young people share their stories with confidence and purpose. She brings community partnerships, compassionate leadership, and a commitment to helping every young person feel seen, heard, and supported.

Sylvia Stitt Smith

Sylvia is a dedicated community leader and advocate with extensive experience in trauma, wellness support, and youth initiatives. Losing her youngest son, Sam, to gun violence in 2019, widened her focus to addressing violence prevention. Sylvia frequently collaborates with local and national organizations and has addressed government bodies on the impact of gun violence. She is in her fourth year as a member of the planning committee for Atrium Health Youth Violence Prevention Conference.  She is an Advisory Board member for Mecklenburg County's Way Forward Strategic Plan and is the founder of S.I.S.T.E.R.S Assembly: Survivors Impacting Survivors Through Empathy and Resilience, and Comfort in the Cloud Grief Support Group.

She served as Director for This Is My Brave CharMeck 2024 Show, “Healing from Community Violence”. Her life’s experience inspired writing, with works published in the North Carolina Bards Poetry Anthologies.

Sylvia is active as a keynote speaker, panelist and moderator, and has been featured in Mecklenburg County’s Live Well initiative. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, certificates in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and Learning and Development from UNC-Charlotte, and is an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church. A native Charlottean, Sylvia enjoys spending her time gathered around family and quiet moments in nature.

La Becky Roe

La Becky Roe is an award-winning educator, speaker, and advocate, and the Founder and Executive Director of Let’s Talk About It–The Autism Center, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience and lived expertise as the parent of an adult son on the autism spectrum, she is committed to amplifying voices, reducing stigma, and building inclusive communities.

In 2024, La Becky served as the Show Director for This Is My Brave CharMeck, where she helped bring powerful, real-life mental health stories to the stage creating a space for truth, healing, and human connection through storytelling.

A retired New York City police officer, La Becky holds a Master of Science in Education, Criminal Justice & Human Services with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Crime Prevention, along with a postgraduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan. She is also a certified PEERS® provider and a sought-after speaker whose work spans education, public safety, and community advocacy.

A proud graduate of Leadership Charlotte (Class 46), La Becky also serves as a facilitator with the Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team. Her work has been featured across regional and national media, including Pride Magazine Charlotte, and she was named Advocate of the Year by Queen City Nerve Magazine for her impact-driven leadership.

La Becky leads with both conviction and compassion using her voice and vision to transform stories into strength, and communities into spaces where every person is seen, valued, and empowered.

Susan Crawford, MSCJ, BSJA, CDAC-i

Community Engagement & Criminal Justice Professional

Susan Crawford has worked in Mecklenburg County for more than a decade, dedicating her career to supporting vulnerable populations through advocacy, outreach, and recovery-oriented services. She holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice with a focus on Criminal Behavior and a Bachelor’s in Justice Administration with a concentration in Corrections and Interrogation.

She is a certified NCPSS Supervisor and has been recognized for her leadership and service, receiving the Crisis Intervention Team Member of the Year Award (2022) and the Northeastern University Community Engagement Specialist of the Year Award (2024). Susan is also a team member for This is My Brave Production Team (2024-2026), where she can bring resources and community connection together as the Resource Organizer.

Currently, Susan serves as the Director of Business Development and Community Relations at Amara Wellness Services, where she builds partnerships and drives community-based initiatives. She also supports the non-profit Always Willing to Serve, furthering her commitment to improving access, care, and support for underserved populations.

Fard Morales 

Fard Morales is the Owner of The Sootrue Classic, Regional Director, and a proud pillar in his community. Well-versed in addressing the needs of those around him, Fard has dedicated his life to supporting the mental stability of youth, educating the community on gun violence awareness, and creating safe spaces for growth and development.

He graduated from North Carolina A&T State Universitywith a degree in Business, and has worked closely with programs like the YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters to help mentor and guide youth. After college, he entered the school system as a Behavior Management Technician, providing students with alternative strategies to manage stress, anger, and anxiety while helping them successfully transition back into the classroom.

Later, as a Sports Director at the McCrorey YMCA, Fard used athletics as a powerful pathway to mentor young people, teaching teamwork, resilience, and discipline through sports. His love for community engagement events and passion for shaping the next generation led him to found The Sootrue Classic and The Sootrue Foundation in 2020 — initiatives focused on mentorship, empowerment, and opportunity for youth.

Alongside this work, Fard joined Inner Explorer, a leading nonprofit dedicated to bringing daily mindfulness practices into classrooms. Inner Explorer helps students, teachers, and families reduce stress, improve focus, and build resilience — aligning perfectly with Fard’s mission to nurture healthier, stronger communities.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Fard relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2005, where he continues to inspire others through service, leadership, and community-building. Above all, Fard is a proud husband and father, dedicated to modeling the values of family, perseverance, and hope.

Dr. Vernessa Bowles, PhD

Dr Vernessa Bowles is employed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as the district Mental Health Program Manager. She has been working in the field of mental health for over 20 years providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She has experience in the assessment, intervention and mental health counseling of children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked in community mental health centers, school districts, and juvenile detention centers.  Dr. Bowles also operates One Touch Psychological Services, PLLC in Charlotte and surrounding areas.   

Dr. Bowles is also an accomplished author. She has written two children’s books, Gabby the Great Tries Out and Gabby the Great Goes to the Beach which are about a young girl who has cerebral palsy. Dr. Bowles is the mother of 17-year-old Trinity who triumphs over cerebral palsy. In her leisure time, Dr. Bowles enjoys listening to music, reading and traveling.

Andrea Weaver MA, LCMHC, LCAS-A

Andrea Weaver is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate in the state of North Carolina. She graduated with her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2018 and began serving the Charlotte community soon after. She has worked with a variety of clients in both inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment since 2019. She has a passion for working with client's who have experienced trauma as well as clients living with substance use disorders. Andrea had the privilege of being a cast member for the 2018 production of This Is My Brave Charlotte and is thrilled to be a part of the team giving others the chance to share their brave.

Jennifer Moxley

Jennifer Moxley is a Communications Strategist, Video Production professional, and Founder of Sunshine Media Network which helps clients be the best person to tell their stories, especially by uplifting and amplifying women and minority experts and entrepreneurs. With a 27 year career in news media, she uses her video and live TV production skills and storytelling to also train, mentor, and hire other underrepresented people in the industry. 

She founded She Dreams In Color Foundation in 2022, after spending $8,000 out of pocket for her own life-changing mental health therapy, to help marginalized women have access to care they deserve. The nonprofit uses storytelling, interviews, and community events to support their mission of destigmatizing mental health needs and seeking care. After her own perimenopause mental health crisis, Jennifer refocused her personal efforts to reach women who are 45 to 54-years-old, the number one age demographic women die by suicide. She is producer, host, and editor of the She Dreams In Color live audience show.

Jennifer is a founding Board Member of Homes of Hope Transitional Housing, was Vice-Chair of the HUD Continuum of Care for the Piedmont region which addressed funding for homelessness, has served on boards and volunteered with countless nonprofit organizations in the region. 

She is a member for the #WeHearHer Advisory Council organized by the Seek Her Foundation which is a peer-led think tank, driven by research, and focused on women's mental health. 

Jennifer is QPR trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid.