Spirit Companion: Dog and Dragon
Fav Quote: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.”- Brene Brown

Darcelle Lewis is an LGBTQ+ and mental health activist from Trinidad and Tobago. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. During her undergrad years, she collaborated with the lead psychologist at the university to develop workshops and events for students and staff that were aimed at educating and challenging the stigma around mental health and wellness. In 2016, Darcelle sought more experience in the field of psychology that was focused on emotional intelligence and wellness of children and young adults. She founded and co-directed M.A.P.P- Mindfulness, Art and Play Programme- a non-profitable organization dedicated to the promotion of mental health and well-being of youth in Trinidad and Tobago, with her friend. They facilitated educational outreach related to the psychological, emotional and holistic well-being of youth within Trinidad and Tobago and promoted skills development through mindfulness, art and educative theatre. In 2017, she shifted her focus on women’s sexual health by volunteering at a local birth centre- Mamatoto Resource & Birth Centre, the only birth centre in the Caribbean that facilitates water births. She also collaborated with one of their midwives in the creation of BirthWorksTT, an initiative to develop community sex positive education around reproductive and sexual health. Until recently, Darcelle was a member of I Am One, a local LGBT activist NGO (also a FRIDA grantee partner). When she is not collaborating with other activists to host workshops and other initiatives, she enjoys swimming, spending time at the beach, taking karate classes and follow dogs on instagram. Darcelle is fluent in English and Intermediate Spanish.