SBS Staff
Dr. Kristee Haggins - Executive Director
Dr. Kristee Haggins (she/her/hers) is a community healer, African-centered psychologist, consultant, and professor who takes a holistic approach to healing mind, body, spirit and community. She has had a multifaceted career as a clinician, educator, trainer, and administrator and is currently the Executive Director and Founder of Safe Black Space. Dr. Kristee as she is referred to in the community, received her B.A. in Psychology with Honors from the University of Southern California and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University. For over 30 years, Dr. Kristee has focused on Black mental health and wellness, noting the impact of racial stress and trauma on Black bodies. She strives to help people of African ancestry heal from the lies about our inhumanity in order to remember our true Blacknificence and achieve mental liberation.
Monica Nelson - Program Manager
Monica was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and has lived in California for the past 12 years. Her career in nonprofits was sparked early, by volunteering for charitable causes through her church and extracurricular activities since childhood. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Howard University while playing for their women’s soccer team and her M.A. in Human Behavior from National University. Monica enjoys diversity-rich environments that honor and celebrate culture by identifying how historical traumas continue to impact our livelihood and humanity. She is passionate in creating tailored learning opportunities to enhance the well-being for all ages of the Black community by developing in-person and virtual wellness events. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks, attending farmer’s markets, comedy shows, and exploring Northern California’s nature scene while hiking and camping.