https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/home daily 1.0 2026-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/3ce10a04-7685-4883-a30a-f1a34b62aec6/BraidSweetgrass.PNG https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/team daily 0.75 2023-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/46edbef1-c02a-4238-9237-fafc181b9fe9/Crane.Board.png Meet Our Board - Nichole Crane, Board Member Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/3d76a2a8-99f7-42bd-b202-ef09b23c91e4/Susan-Deason+pic.jpg Meet Our Board - Susan Deason, Board Member Susan Deason is the Executive Director for Memphis Allies, a new initiative to reduce gun violence in Memphis, and has 27 years of experience working at Youth Villages. Susan is a certified SoucePoint leadership coach and excels at coaching and training others. Susan fulfills her professional purpose when she supports individuals and organizations to meet their goals. She is passionate about working with people experiencing challenges and wholeheartedly believes in people’s capacity for change given the right conditions and opportunities. Susan is a certified Collaborative Problem Solving practitioner and coach and brings her values of collaboration and loyalty to The Braid Foundation; she views effective collaboration as the solution to our community’s challenges. She is elated to support the Braid Foundation as a founding board member. With her numerous years of experience starting new programs and successful initiatives, The Braid Foundation’s board is better equipped to carry out our mission. Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rhodes College and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Memphis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/01b4f649-e81a-4d5e-8e19-e52acd3cc769/Toya.png Meet Our Board - Toya Leftwich, President Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/44bd4587-81ac-428f-9ef5-63e45dadb8d9/IMG-1946+%281%29.jpg Meet Our Board - Kelsey McElderry, Secretary Kelsey McElderry is a special educator who is currently fulfilling her role as a new mother. Kelsey has eight years of experience as a special educator in schools located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. Kelsey is passionate about education equity. She knows firsthand how important inclusivity and diversity are to the success of our community and our future. Kelsey brings her collaboration skills to support our foundation in expressing diversity of thought while holding integrity to our mission. As our board secretary, Kelsey’s organizational skills are immensely important to our efficiency. Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Louisiana Tech University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/760ffe4c-ae5a-47c6-a153-f8cdcbe0aa28/Copy+of+gestalt0719_071.jpg Meet Our Board - Cathy Emerson, Co-Founder Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/a44a059c-ed16-4715-b8ef-1b0a1f7e75cb/ssmith+headshot.jpg Meet Our Board - Dr. Shaneika Smith, Co-Founder https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/about daily 0.75 2023-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/1652285017437-HM9OFVKUANFGK8KK7B3Z/unsplash-image-EwKXn5CapA4.jpg Our Vision and Mission - Our Mission and Vision In Action Our mission and vision are executed through increasing mental health awareness, developing equitable access to care, and advocating for the mental health needs of the systemically marginalized members of our community. https://www.thebraidfoundation.org/volunteer daily 0.75 2025-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61c34ced4f14861f9a83a783/1652219441594-I0W99YTNRV8ETSVZCBTB/unsplash-image-0-IKoef3Ukw.jpg Get Involved - The braid is 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