COVID-19 and Mental Health

Holly Robinson Peete is the host of the Covid Know More conversation: The Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health. 

Actress, author, talk show host, activist, and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete has been touched by the entertainment industry almost all of her life. Her career as an actress dates back more than four decades and has led her to become a voice for her father, her son, and her community.

Robinson Peete had her first experience in front of the camera at the age of four when she appeared on television opposite her father, Matthew Robinson who served as a producer and portrayed the original beloved character of 'Gordon' on the iconic children's program "Sesame Street". While she knew even at that young age her calling was to be in entertainment, Robinson Peete opted to lead a more typical childhood rather than searching to be the next child star. However, upon finishing her BA at Sarah Lawrence College, majoring in French, Robinson Peete's heart led her back to show business. She soon landed the part that made her recognizable to viewers throughout the world on the groundbreaking series "21 Jump Street" opposite Johnny Depp and went on to star in many other successful television series including "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" and "For Your Love." She additionally was also seen on iconic hit drama series "Chicago Fire" and "Law and Order: SVU" as well as the smash comedy series "Mike & Molly" and "American Housewife".

Robinson Peete's successful television career places her as one of only a handful of actresses to star in four shows in syndication. Robinson Peete has starred in 13 movies for Hallmark Channel (The Christmas Doctor" & "Christmas In Evergreen" to name a few) and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries where she stars in her own murder mystery wheel "Morning Show Mysteries" as Billie Blessings-a chef, author, and talk show host with a penchant for crime-solving. Her latest Hallmark movie was the groundbreaking Christmas film Our Christmas Journey in December 2021. This film was near and dear to Robinson Peete because of its autism theme.

In 1999, Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation, inspired by her father's courageous battle with Parkinson's disease, with the mission to help improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's. Then in 2000, inspired by their eldest son's autism diagnosis, HollyRod Foundation's mission expanded to provide support and resources to those affected by an autism diagnosis. Most recently the foundation opened RJ's Place Vocational and Family Support Services Center in Los Angeles. RJ's Place is a 2,500 square foot facility created with the objective of providing training and job opportunities for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The facility features a computer lab, family support center, a think tank and features a 10' x 5' freshwater aquarium. In addition to job training, the HollyRod Foundation will provide support services to parents and siblings with all services free of fees. Through the HollyRod Foundation and her family's personal experiences, Robinson Peete has become one of the most trusted advocates for consistent and reliable education, outreach, and support for both Parkinson's and autism.

Her autism advocacy also extends to her book co-written with daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, entitled "My Brother Charlie" (Scholastic): a bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning children's book about autism from the sibling's perspective. With her first book "Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game: A Women's Guide to Loving Pro Football" (2005, Rodale), Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Literacy Award. The follow-up to the children's book entitled "Same But Different: Teen Life On The Autism Express" – which was co-authored by her twins Ryan Elizabeth & RJ – was released in spring 2016. Robinson Peete's 4th book- "Charlie Makes A Splash" will be out in summer 2022! Her longevity and visibility in the entertainment community have led Robinson Peete to a successful career as a trusted brand ambassador/spokesperson for some of the country's biggest corporate brands. Robinson Peete's consumer and mom-friendly personal brand has partnered with Target, Toys 'R' Us, Colgate, Skechers, Epipen, Cigna, Carnation, and AARP, among others.

Robinson Peete's philanthropic efforts have earned her numerous awards and honors including Ford's Freedom Sisters, American Mentor Award, The Southern California Broadcasters' Assoc Community Service Award, Gerald R. Ford People Helping People Award, The March of Dimes Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Award, USC Woman of Distinction Award, Anheuser Busch John E. Jacob Community Service Award, The Genii Award, The Girls Inc. Mentor Award, A Place Called Home Humanitarian Award, McDonald's 365 Black Award, Los Angeles Magazine's Most Inspirational Women Award, Habitat For Humanity Dream Builder's Award, The YMCA MLK Jr. Brotherhood Award and many more. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Los Angeles from the age of 10, Robinson Peete was voted "most talented" in high school alongside fellow classmate and future star Rob Lowe. She did her undergraduate studies at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College where she majored in Psychology and French. She spent her junior year studying abroad at Sorbonne University in France and became fluent in the language.

Robinson Peete and her husband of 26 years Rodney Peete are the proud parents of four children. Holly's mantra is "I wouldn't change my child for the world- but I would change the world for my child."

Letitia Johnson is a panelist of the Covid Know More conversation: The Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health. She is a partner of the J. A. B. Law Firm.

Letitia S. Johnson is a lifelong Mississippi resident. The Magnolia native received her undergraduate degree from Tougaloo College and subsequently matriculated at Mississippi College School of Law to earn her Juris Doctorate. Upon graduation from law school, Letitia began a legal career spanning over a decade. Her experiences are comprised of past positions including Special Assistant Attorney General, Monitoring Consultant for the Mississippi Department of Human Resources, staff attorney for James L. Henley, Standing Chapter 13 Trustee, and currently is a partner at JAB Law Firm.

In addition to her commitments as a dedicated wife, mother of five, and attorney, Letitia demonstrates continued commitment to reinvesting in the Mississippi and Jackson community through service on the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees and as an active member of the Jackson Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Dr. Walker attended Fisk University where she completed her Bachelor's and Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Psychology (2002 & 2004, respectively).  She went on to receive a doctorate in Counseling Psychology (2008) from Tennessee State University, in Nashville, Tennessee.  She has worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers, prison systems, inpatient programs, community mental health centers, and hospitals in addition to working in academia.  She is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of the Virgin Islands.  Clinically, Dr. Walker specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, issues related to gender conflict, men's issues, racial identity development, and substance abuse/chemical dependency issues.  She is the owner and Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Mind/Body Health & Psychology, a group private practice on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Dr. Walker prides herself as a student-centered professor working to involve and engage her students in the learning process with energy, enthusiasm, and vigor.  She is genuinely empathetic to the needs of her students as a result of her experience as a practicing psychologist with a focus on the development of young adults.  As a researcher, Dr. Walker continues to relate her depth of theoretical understanding in the field of psychology with a focus on practical application to advance clinical practice, specifically as it relates to men of color, gender roles, and masculinity issues.   Thus, her research has great meaning and impact on bettering the lives of real people in real-life scenarios in the community in which we live.

Dr. Walker is also a proud wife and mother of four beautiful children, and three adorable fur babies (dogs). 

Dr. Denese Shervington is a panelist of the Covid Know More conversation: The Effects of COVID-19 on Mental Health. She is the President & CEO of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies.