What if breaking the stigma around mental health started not in hospitals or classrooms, but in community walks, art, and open dialogue?
In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataf sits down with Kyle Carter, M.Ed., LBS, Chief Executive Officer, Board Executive, and Health Equity Leader at the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Philadelphia (NAMI Philly), to explore how innovative community engagement, creative leadership, and grassroots advocacy are transforming the conversation around mental health.
Kyle shares his journey as an educator and behavioral health specialist turned nonprofit leader, and how he’s leveraging both strategy and empathy to expand NAMI Philly’s reach. Under his guidance, the organization is pioneering new programs for youth and families, fostering partnerships across healthcare and education, and using marketing and storytelling to humanize mental health awareness.
From NAMIWalks Philly to neighborhood outreach initiatives, Kyle reveals how collaboration, representation, and intentional leadership are driving measurable impact, and why health equity starts with listening to the voices of those directly affected.
What You’ll Learn:
- How NAMI Philadelphia builds trust and advocacy through community-first programs
- Why creative storytelling is vital in mental health awareness campaigns
- The importance of inclusive leadership in addressing mental health disparities
- How data, empathy, and strategy intersect in nonprofit innovation
- Lessons learned from scaling NAMIWalks Philly into a movement
- The power of cross-sector partnerships to strengthen local impact
- How leaders can balance operational strategy with genuine compassion
- Why mental health equity must be embedded in every organizational decision
💡 Golden Nugget:
“True equity in mental health begins when leadership steps back, and the community steps forward.”
Connect with Kyle Carter
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kyle-carter-m-ed-lbs-195968288
- Organization: National Alliance on Mental Illness – Philadelphia (NAMI Philly)
- Website: https://namiphilly.org/
Connect with the Show:
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