Racial Equity Fund: Black Space

As Corey Fells transitioned from being in the military to being a full-time civilian in 2020, he had a bumpy road ahead of him. At the same time, Darius Smith was using his voice to lead protests surrounding George Floyd, while internally struggling to focus on his own self-care. When the two friends shared their vulnerability with each other, they realized that their mental wellness journeys were like that of so many in Black and Brown communities: difficult to navigate when the help available couldn’t understand the shared experiences of Black and Brown people. 

Corey introduced Darius to his therapist, Dr. Lia Knox, and through thoughtful planning, the three co-founded Black Space, a community organization that provides free group therapeutic experiences for Black and Brown communities. Dr. Knox’s one stipulation was that group therapy sessions were not to be confined to church basements or community halls, but instead in beautiful, open spaces. In these spaces, whether it be a conference room at No Studios or a courtyard, Black Space is normalizing therapy and creating an environment where people are heard, supported, and able to become better versions of themselves. 

“People know who we are because we are them,” Dr. Knox said. 

United Way’s Racial Equity Fund has been able to support this work by providing an operational budget. Black Space has used the grant money with a growth mindset: creating jobs within the organization for people who need them, providing meal plans that help stretch budgets, and piloting new programs.  

We’re honored to be a part of the conversation that Black Space is having with the community. Corey, Darius, and Dr. Knox are ensuring that the Black and Brown community in Milwaukee is being heard, loved, lifted, and celebrated. They are showing what it means to Live United. 

Your donation to the Racial Equity Fund supports Black- and Brown-led organizations like Black Space through a community-based advisory committee.

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