EXCOM Member

In May of 2021, Chris, his wife of 39 years Martha, and their son Solomon co-founded The Defensive Line (TDL). They train educators, coaches, executives, and other adults to be mental health advocates for young people, ages 10-24 years old, particularly those of color. TDL trainings equip adults with (1) knowledge of suicide risks and identification strategies; (2) the confidence and skills to have difficult conversations in safe spaces; and (3) a personalized suicide prevention action plan that utilizes mental health resources in their community. 

The Defensive Line provides suicide prevention workshops for executives, teachers, coaches, and staff in secondary schools, colleges and universities to answer the question: What is your defensive line for intervening in a mental health crisis? They also use vulnerability to provide storytelling to students, staff, executives, or parents to assist in facilitating conversations that can save lives. TDL’s mission is to end the public health crisis of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental health.