Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meladee Carter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Meladee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Leaving my home in Barbados to attend the illustrious Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL in 2021, was quite possibly one of the biggest risks I have undertaken. Before this, I had only been away from my family for youth camps and school trips. Family is important to me, and on several occasions, I considered packing them in my suitcase and bringing them to school with me. On a serious note, I knew I couldn’t abruptly disrupt everyone else’s life, but I also knew that Oakwood was where I needed to be – it was a risk and journey I needed to take for myself. I never would have guessed that this first risk would have been the catalyst for so many others in the following years. So far at Oakwood, I applied for the University Innovation Fellowship program with Stanford University and subsequently joined the 2022-2023 cohort of Fellows. This program helped to open my mind to the possibilities for me in innovation and entrepreneurship and empowered me to catalyze change in these two areas at Oakwood University. Subsequently, I was honored to be invited to the Alpha Chi and Delta Mu Delta Honor Societies, as a result of my academic excellence.
Recently, I took another risk and entered the Oakwood University Royalty Program to vie for the position of Miss Oakwood University. Thankfully, I was successful in the program and am now the 32nd Miss Oakwood University serving the 2024-2025 academic year. I have always been interested in pageantry but those I was exposed to before were pretty focused on beauty and talent, but weren’t exactly focused on making a better student or campus experience. The campaign element of the OU Royalty Program really intrigued me and I felt that given the platform and resources, I could really make the change I wanted to see on my campus. I am excited to use my campaign “cont;nue” – destigmatizing the conversations surrounding suicide and suicide prevention awareness – to empower my peers and the wider community of Oakwood University to simply cont;nue.

Meladee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Over the last two years, suicide has touched my family in a very traumatic way. This initially shocked me, as while I thought I was an advocate for mental health, I had always othered suicide. I thought it pertained to some other people but not to me or my family. This experience propelled my mission in advocacy of suicide prevention. I began to research the topic, and I recognized that it was one that had immense stigma attached to it, causing those who struggle with suicide ideation to keep silent about their struggles and feel alone and unheard. My research inspired me to begin wearing a semicolon pin every day. With this semicolon – the universal symbol for suicide prevention awareness – I hoped and still hope to stand in solidarity with those who struggle with suicide ideation every day. I hope to inspire them to cont;nue even though that may be the last thing they wish to do. Since wearing this pin, I have started having candid conversations with friends and family, and even strangers who were curious about its meaning. I began posting more about suicide and suicide prevention on social media, opening the door for even more conversation on those platforms. I have also had the opportunity to meet and hear from individuals both inside and outside of my circles, who battle suicide ideation. I have listened to their stories and about how some of them have worked to overcome and cont;nue. These conversations are ones I hope will continue as I wear this pin and advocate for the destigmatization of suicide throughout my campaign as Miss Oakwood University and beyond.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Research supports the fact that the suicide rate is the highest it has been in 25 years. I attribute this rise to the fact that the conversations are attached to stigma, even when advocacy can appear to be loud in certain spaces. Families and friends, especially in black and Christian spheres, may often be the least supportive when individuals speak up about their mental health or suicidal struggles. While we have started to see a slight turnaround in this fact, I still believe that way more can be done to support our fellow brothers and sisters in their struggles. It is my hope that through my Miss Oakwood University journey, I can encourage others to spark conversations in their own circles and seek help if they need it. I also hope that our collective efforts can help to drive down the rate of suicide, and inspire others to simply cont;nue.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up, I was convicted that faith alone could cure all mental health struggles. However, personal experiences with anxiety and witnessing family members’ challenges led me to confront this simplistic notion. Through therapy, I discovered the harmonious coexistence of faith and professional help, realizing that God empowers therapists as instruments of healing. Now advocating for a more inclusive dialogue within religious communities, my journey reflects a profound shift in perspective – a journey marked by humility, vulnerability, and the courage to unlearn deeply entrenched lessons. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of openness and the capacity for growth, inspiring others to embrace holistic well-being by challenging confining beliefs and embracing the limitless possibilities of growth and transformation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_she_is_mel_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meladee-carter

Image Credits

Kyle Petit
Ian Royes
Joshua Simpson
Lesly Dormus