🔟 years of Silence of The Shame: Celebrating Mental Health Information, Investment, and Impact 🎉

💚🎗Hey Friends! Today is National Silence the Shame Day — a day dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and supporting the communities who need it most.

🔟🎉Celebrating 10 years of information, investment, and impact within the mental health awareness space. Thank you founder Shanti Das for educating, empowering, and erasing the stigma of mental health through safe spaces and conversations. 

💭🫂2nd pic: I still remember 2 days after my 31st birthday (7/9/2016) being invited to hear Shanti's story at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the inspiration to start Silence The Shame to help others navigate their mental health journey with dignity and determination. It is an honor to witness the continued growth and support of this community through the years. 

🤝🌎 Silence The Shame is a nonprofit that has been creating safe spaces for mental wellness for 10 years. A donation of $10 goes directly toward mental health programs, resources, and awareness campaigns that change lives.

💻🔗Donate here: givebutter.com/10yrofsts 

📸😀Get the Frame Here: https://sts26.omgbooth.com/

#STSDay #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #SilenceTheShame10  #silencetheshame #mentalhealth #silencetheshameday #10yrsofsts

Spring Break 2026: Hometown Community, Connections, and Conversations

I thoroughly enjoyed my Spring Break in my hometown of Dawson, GA.  It was a time of fun, family, and fulfillment.

From Alumni Day to time well spent with family, to seeing community engagement and business connections up close was the highlight of Spring break back home. I enjoyed every moment and the intentionality of each day during my visit. It put a lot into perspective and appreciation for where I came from and how it's shaped my current journey. "It's the little things.....and the joy they bring...." my green (growth) and gold (treasures).

Me and my older sis Lachaundreyas D. Ousley whose birthday was on 4/2. Our first clear picture together since 1986. We took a picture in 2003 at her college graduation but you only see me in it. My mom's hand covered her face by accident🤦🏾‍♀️.  From 1986 to us both being Darton College graduates (2003 & 2006) to 2026, God is good.

My maternal grandparents' burial site, Cedar Hill Cemetery

The Downtown Dawson Ambassadors Team. Me with classmate Stephanie, Downtown Dawson Development Authority Executive Director with a few marketing volunteers.

Me with classmates Roxie and Stephanie. Been knowing Stephanie since 3rd grade and Roxie since 4th grade.

Stephanie and I getting a selfie after our tour of City Hall by Roxie.

Stephanie and I with our funny classmate James.

82 Brew Coffee Shop, a new coffee shop in Dawson, GA

The menu of coffee, smoothies, teas, and sandwiches.

Me and the owner Jennifer Sconyers

My Green Colada, a delicious blend of coconut, pineapple, banana, avocado, spinach, coconut milk, vanilla, and agave.

In His glory,

Lequvia Ousley 

Terrell County Author's Chair Spotlight: Reading Across America 2026

My hometown school district, Terrell County School System featured me and fellow alumni as local authors while highlighting the importance of reading and acknowledging local authors during Reading Across America 2026.

This Author's Chair spotlight is an honor and full circle moment as my love and appreciation for reading and literacy began with Saturday visits to the Historic Carnegie Library🏛, spelling bees🐝 (Lillie Cooper Primary, Carver Elementary, and Terrell Middle School), and many journal entries, essays, thesis statements, writing/editing projects✍🏾, monthly blogs/newsletters later (Terrell High🌊, Darton/Albany State🐏, graduate school x2📝, Just Write! Support Group, etc 👩🏾‍💻). Thank you to my no nonsense parents😅 (heavy emphasis on reading; always gifted us books/journals), my no nonsense older sister😅 (who allowed me to hijack her books sometimes which led to my increased vocabulary & reading level) and to my no nonsense educators 😅 during my time within the Terrell County School System (1990-2003) who never slacked on their duties of ensuring we the students of Terrell County, GA were equipped the 'Write' way and 'READy' for any challenge (reading out loud, silent reading, Book It! Pizza Hut program, Reading Rainbow, and other PBS programs). This is the fruit of your labors. You are honored and appreciated. Thank you all for being a part of my story. God bless! 💚💛💫🔰

📷🚸Me in Kindergarten (the late, great Linda Lane Owens class) with classmates Chris and Daniel reading newspapers and creating in the Writing center 😀😍

#ReadAcrossAmerica2026 #TerrellCountyAuthorsChairSpotlight
#TCGreenwaveAlumniSpotlight #AuthorsFromTerrellCountyGA #TerrellCountySchoolSystem  #FullCircleMoment 

Lequvia Ousley 

🔟🐏💙💛🎉 10 years of Connections and Community Service with ASU DeKalb

🔟🐏💙💛🎉10 years ago, a Twitter post about the ASU MRSB heading to the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA connected me to the ASU DeKalb County Area Alumni Chapter under the leadership of past president Dr. Maria Boynton and past VP Dr. Takeshia Thomas. 

As a resident, I was so intrigued to know a local chapter existed in DeKalb County that on 12/28/2015, I headed to the ATL Airport and was introduced to members of the chapter as we congratulated our band in true RAMily fashion (posters, cheers, laughter, and connections.) 

When the band returned on January 2, 2016, I was introduced and interviewed by President Boynton who was so gracious despite being jetlagged. Past Membership Chair Debra Lemons recruited me to join and I attended my 1st meeting January 9, 2016 at the S&S Cafeteria in Tucker which also reconnected me to LaJohnda Johnson, our current ASU DeKalb Secretary who I knew from my time at ASU (2006-2008) as well as other RAMily. From there I tagged team with the social media presence via IG alongside past Marketing & Social Media Chair Khadijah Nurridin (2016-2021), volunteering as Chapter Reporter in 2019 for a few months and officially serving later as Chapter Reporter (2019-2021) under the leadership of Past President Pam McMichael and past VP Maria Boynton. My service during the COVID pandemic was tough with majority virtual meetings and limited connections to alumni, family, and hometown but I got through it and my connections and commitments were strengthened and refined. 

Today and many memories later (2025-2027), I've reprised my role and service as Chapter Reporter under the leadership of President Naeem Roberts & VP Shayla Davis alongside fellow officers as we collectively bring our time, talent, treasures, and ties as #BIGDeKalb, "Building, Influencing, and Giving" to students, alumni, stakeholders, and community of the 'Unsinkable' and 'Indestructible' Albany State University. Cheers to a 10 year connection to True Blue community and Golden service!! 🔟🔷️💫🫂🤝

🔵www.asuramsdekalb.com 

🟡www.asuramsnationalalumni.com

#ASUDeKalb #229BlueAndGold #RAMsinService #RAMilyConnections #TrueBlueCommunity #GoldenService #Building #Influencing #Giving

17th RAMaversary!! 👩🏾‍🎓1️⃣7️⃣💙💛🐏

💙💛1st time in 1️⃣7️⃣ years seeing my #AlbanyState graduation pictures. Back in April, I decided to develop 4 disposable cameras I had between 2008-2010. Honestly, I didn't think the pictures would be so clear after the time frame, but I was so happy these came out clear. As soon as I saw them, I teared up. Thank you to CA photographer, Albany native, Alex Davis for sharing her filmtography and inspiring me to develop my film.

📷 🎞I'm pictured here with classmates and RAMily who shared this special day with me. 

🎓👩🏾‍🎓Shequita (fellow Darton grad & business major)

🎓👨🏾‍🎓De Reid (former SIFE leader & fellow business major)

✍🏾📖Tasha (one of many friends I met summer 2008; she's also a Psychology graduate, an amazing writer, poet, and published author)

🎵💃🏻Charlotte (roomie in Hall 3, Spring 2008, Political Science graduate, and fellow Mariah Carey fan)

The period from age 23 to now has been a journey. When I think of 17 years, it's like graduation from high school all over again. Those moments in my life were truly a rebirth and new beginning for me from reclaiming time lost, relearning myself, and removing myself from situations and spaces that were meant to derail & destroy me. But God....He has proven consistently that He is a keeper and healer through all things. 🎵"I want to thank you Heavenly Father for shining Your Light on me....."🎶

🎵🎶 "Can You Stand The Rain", released 12/13/1988, "Sunny days, everybody loves them, tell me, can you stand the rain?.....storms will come, this we know for sure, can you stand the rain?"..... I continue to withstand every storm⛈ , embracing the rain☔, appreciating the sun🌞. 

 

#PotentialRealized🌟🙌 #OldASU💙💛🐏 #Classof2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ #RecessionGrad🎓👩‍🎓 #year1️⃣7️⃣ #ALBtoATL🦋🌹#FromTC2Destiny🛣

In Memory of Auntie Rosie Lee Ousley 8/15/1938-9/14/2025 🌹💜🕊👑

🌹💜🕊👑The day I received the news that Auntie Rose transitioned, I struggled with processing my emotions while maintaining my daily schedule. This is the 4th family death I've experienced this year (2 Great Aunties and 1 cousin within my paternal side and my maternal grandfather) all in a span of 8 months.

Work, writing, going through old pictures, remembering family moments, and volunteer duties were heavily my distractions these last few days to compose myself each day as it led to today. 

The emotions kicked in as I attended the Homegoing celebration for Aunt Rose. I was overwhelmed yet as always happy to see family and celebrate Auntie Rose's life, a life well lived and served for her family and community. This poem came to me days before (9/23): 

Rare gem with a beautiful heart and infectious smile.

One in a million with her love, a gentleness so meek and mild. 

Sisterhood and family time are her legacies.

Intrigued with music and dancing, what an amazing sight to see.

Eternally resting, she is remembered as a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, we forever celebrate you to infinity. ROSIE......🌹💜🕊👑

We love you and will see you later.

#MyTwin #EternalRose #purpleforRosie #celebrationoflife