RALEIGH, N.C. — On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Raleigh Graduate Chapter of SWING PHI SWING SFI officially launched the Dr. Gwen Keith Newsome Foundation for Mental Wellness at Christian Faith Baptist Church, located at 509 Hilltop Drive. The church, led by Pastor Reverend Keith A. Darlington, served as the gathering place for community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents united in advancing mental health awareness.
Established in honor of the late Dr. Gwen Keith Newsome, the foundation is a bold regional initiative committed to prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, particularly within underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as Oasis Health and Wellness Center International, The Village of C.A.R.E., Rusmed Consultants, and others, the initiative aims to expand access to care, promote education, and advocate for culturally competent services.
Dr. Newsome’s distinguished career included service on the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, where she held the role of Ethics Chair and ethics consultant. Her professional impact extended across multiple roles, including her private practice, Believe in Therapy; her work as an outpatient therapist at Key Behavioral Essentials in Raleigh; her leadership as Clinical Director at New Outlook Second Chance Mental Health Company in Durham; and her role as CEO of Journey Production Life Skills in Raleigh.
The newly launched foundation will begin its work across chapters in North Carolina, with plans to expand throughout the Southeast. Its mission is centered on normalizing conversations around mental health—particularly within African American communities—while creating safe spaces for dialogue, reducing stigma, and fostering collective healing.
During the event, Raleigh City Councilor Stormie Forte presented Kara Newsome, Dr. Newsome's daughter, with a formal proclamation recognizing the day as Dr. Gwen Keith Newsome Day, a tribute to her enduring legacy and contributions to the field.
The event also drew participation from leading organizations including UNC Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Wake County Health and Human Services, WakeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and AmeriHealth Caritas, among many other healthcare providers. Willie Rowe, Sheriff of Wake County, was also in attendance, underscoring the importance of community-wide collaboration in addressing mental health.
With strong community support and a clear mission, the Dr. Gwen Keith Newsome Foundation for Mental Wellness is poised to become a driving force in improving access to care and transforming the conversation around mental health for generations to come. Photos courtesy of John McCann Copywriting + Audiovisual Services
