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January 08, 2024
September 01, 2023
Shades of ME (Melanated Emotions) began with a vision to be part of a much larger movement dedicated to providing essential mental health education and resources for Black and Brown communities.
As a Black therapist with Haitian roots, Dr. Christine Sainvil often faced the daunting task of adapting conventional mental health materials to make them culturally relevant for her Black and Brown clients. The lack of representation within the existing materials fueled a desire in Dr. Sainvil to create something more inclusive, more authentic, and more representative. This is the genesis of Shades of ME, a brand born out of the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health within Black and Brown communities.
Our first products, the "Melanated Emotions" posters, display a range of emotions as expressed by Black and Brown individuals. The posters feature Black men, women, and children, as well as Hispanic individuals, visually representing how emotions might manifest differently across various cultures. The six standard posters are even available in Spanish and Creole translations, a nod to the rich diversity within our communities.
In Dr. Sainvil's words, "If I've never seen the emotions, how can I identify them? This is the starting point to therapy - a tool of self-empowerment." For so many of her clients, the phrase "I feel some type of way" is a common expression when words fail to capture their emotional state. These posters offer the language they might be missing, enabling them to name and understand their feelings better.
In many cultures, such as the Haitian culture, the emotional lexicon is somewhat limited. The creation of these posters is meant to be a creative way to fill this gap, a conduit for normalizing and acknowledging the unique emotional experiences of Black and Brown individuals. In essence, Shades of ME is here to serve as a trustworthy, fun, and relatable resource, fostering cultural relevance over mere competence.
For Dr. Sainvil, authenticity, competency, creativity, and service are not just personal values, but the very pillars on which Shades of ME is built. We are determined to break down the walls of stigma surrounding mental health, making it accessible, understandable, and relatable for everyone, regardless of their cultural background.
While our posters are designed with Black and Brown individuals in mind, their value extends beyond this demographic. They've been recognized by counselors of various backgrounds who see the posters as a practical tool for fostering deeper connections with their clients or students. From parents of young children to school counselors, therapists, and even medical health providers, the need for culturally relevant care is evident, and these posters are just the first step in that direction!
The journey from an idea sparked by a feelings chart to the launch of Shades of ME has been one of immense learning, growth, and fulfillment. We launched last month, and Dr. Sainvil is overcome with gratitude for the outpouring of anticipation and support. We are excited about what lies ahead and remain committed to our mission of bridging the gap in mental health for Black and Brown communities.
Shades of ME is more than just a brand; it's a movement. It's a declaration that our emotions are valid, that they're different, and most importantly, that they're seen. This is just the beginning, and we can't wait for you to be a part of this melanated movement. Together, let's continue to shed light on the shades of us.
Please support and join the movement by following our social media pages and visiting our store to check out our posters and merch!
