Vision: Person-centered safe spaces for healing and achieving well-being.

About Us

The RED PEEL is a 501(c) non-profit focused on creating a positive social impact in society for people whom systems of oppression and its practices have disenfranchised.

Founded in 2020, the idea for the RED PEEL was born from the experiences of the Founders’ son, Alex, who struggled with trauma-related injuries that triggered mental illness and substance use dependency. Alex’s experience navigating as a Black Man with trauma through legacy systems of oppression: healthcare systems and the criminal justice system made him invisible to decision-makers and often the recipient of compassion fatigue. He spent over six months in solitary confinement. This is an approved sanctioned action in the corrections center for vulnerable adults. As his mother, I witnessed the escalation of his trauma-responses,  mental health crises, and substance use disorder until his will to heal was broken.

His humanness was not seen, his back story was never sought, and his trauma prevented him from disclosing it – trust was broken when he told the level of mental pain he experienced. He was seen as just a person using drugs or perceived as houseless living in encampments and met with aggressiveness or restraints measures that, if it were an animal – the world would be outraged.

However, Alex was more than his trauma, and the RED PEEL mission is to disrupt the pattern in systems of oppression that allows programs, legislation action, policy, and decision-makers to lose sight of the humanity in people.

Alex was a creative being with a combination of experiences that altered his life path. He was a ballroom dance instructor, Krump dancer, music producer, lyricist, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and grandson. To have known him was to know his selflessness and ability to offer kindness to everyone. Alex passed away in July 2022 before he could see the RED PEEL come to fruition. He wanted this work to help others with similar experiences and wanted his story told – the good, ugly, and not-so-good. The hope is to end the needless suffering of people and families.

MISSION
To create partnerships and facilitate racial literacy capacity building that will disrupt and abolish the inhumane treatment of People within systems of oppression.

VALUES
Humanity-centered
Our ability to advocate for equitable approaches to demonstrating compassion, grace, and love for all people regardless of race, gender, gender identity, abilities, creed, or religion.
Togetherness
The willingness to bring your whole self, truth, and lived experience to work
collaboratively to end the inhumane treatment of people.
Visibility
Lifting and encouraging the voices of people most vulnerable and looked through to be seen, heard, and valued.
Trust
Willing to foster and model integrity, be consistent behavior, and follow through on commitments with self and partners in the work.

VISION
Person-centered safe spaces for healing and achieving well-being.

What We Do: