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What an incredible evening! The Monique Woolley Foundation hosted the Inauguration Ceremony for #WFBTY (When Feeling Blue Think Yellow) Ambassadors on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at XO Banquet Hall in North Hollywood, CA, celebrating the 2025 Ambassadors for Suicide Survivors. The night emphasized strength, unity, and awareness, with voices coming together to inspire change and emphasize mental health. The atmosphere was lively, and I truly enjoyed interviewing the celebrities and creatives who are deeply passionate about this cause. Amour Dulas, the CEO and Founder of The Monique Woolley Foundation, dedicates her heart and soul to the organization. The event promoted empowerment and reflection, honoring those affected by suicide and fostering hope.
The evening's hosts were the talented British mother-daughter team, Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, a director, and Isabella Blake-Thomas, an actress-producer. The event featured numerous celebrities who walked the yellow carpet to support the newly appointed ambassadors and show solidarity with the foundation's mission. Among the attendees were Ray-Ray McCloud III, an NFL Wide Receiver and Return Specialist (Atlanta Falcons); Shedrack Anderson III, an actor and director (Gracie’s Choice, Fat Albert); Joel Diamond, a Grammy-nominated music producer; Brennan Keel Cook, an actor (Love You to Death); Capri Everitt, a singer-songwriter and Guinness World Record holder; Chef Sean, a music artist; Hahn and Aaron Brown, the wife and son of the late George Brown, a founding member of Kool & The Gang; Kim Estes, a Primetime Emmy-winning actor; Chico Brown, a producer and CEO of Cinema Libre Diversity; Michelle Stokes, an entertainment entrepreneur; and Nikita Leone, a celebrity chef, along with many other celebrities and supporters.
The foundation recognized ambassador inductees who committed to supporting its mission to uplift those battling depression and promote the message that “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.” At the ceremony, Pastor Torrian Scott officiated the induction of the new ambassadors and paid tribute to Monique Woolley’s legacy, highlighting the event's importance. The event also featured an original performance by singer Nova Marie and a rendition of the original melody for #WhenFeelingBlueThinkYellow by pianist Mahesh Balasooriya, which deeply moved the audience with their emotional resonance.
The newly appointed ambassadors recounted their inspiring experiences as survivors, highlighting that anyone can face depression and suicidal thoughts, making the event truly memorable. Among them were Sharrieffa Barksdale, an Olympian; Angel Collins, a U.S. Army veteran and real estate leader; Jennifer Messina, an Army veteran and music artist; Humberto Meza, an actor and author; Gloria Jimenez, a model and 2024 USOA Ms. Beverly Hills; Danielle McKnight, a businesswoman and tattoo artist; Diana Nguyen, an entrepreneur and podcast host; Misty Smith, a massage therapist; Tania Carmenate, a songwriter; Tanasha Allwood, an author and producer; Darrell Dupre, Vice President of The Monique Woolley Foundation; Robert D. Jones, a retired US Military Veteran; and Jennifer Jost, a Wealth Advisor.
Central to the Monique Woolley Foundation is its founder and CEO, Amour Delus, who established the organization in loving memory of her daughter, Monique Woolley. Following the heartbreaking loss of Monique to suicide, Amour channeled her grief into a mission to provide support, hope, and advocacy for those impacted by suicide, depression, and mental illness. The foundation creates a safe environment for survivors to share their experiences, find comfort, and work towards eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health. The newly appointed ambassadors will significantly contribute to advancing this mission, raising awareness, and providing support to those in need. As Amour Delus emphatically stated at the event, “We need to let everyone know, it’s okay to not be okay.” Overall, it was an inspiring evening for a fantastic cause. I was honored to be a part of it.
To follow the Monique Woolley Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/themoniquewoolleyfoundation
Website: themowoolleyfoundation.org
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