Hello

BIOGRAPHY

Rafiah Maxie-Cole (she/her) is a Mother, Advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Founder of Soul Survivors of Chicago.

On May 27, 2020 her 19 year-old son completed suicide. She felt compelled to continue his legacy and share his story for others impacted by suicide and trauma in the African-American community.

Her work with Soul Survivors of Chicago centers around suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health and wellness. She stands and fights for suicide prevention, stronger education regarding mental health, supporting families and individual impacted by trauma, loss and gun violence. She produced the 2021 documentary entitled “We Cry Your Tears: The Jamal Clay Story” and the documentary “Makes Me Wanna Holla- Healing From Loss, Learning From Tragedy & Finding Recovery”. (See link below for viewing).

Soul Survivors of Chicago, NFP PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCNQVcJ3AaI

“We Cry Your Tears: The Jamal Clay Story": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie-32XYDKiM

WEBSITE: www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com

HER WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED BY:

Congresswoman Robin Kelly #IL02Local Hero Spotlight-Mental Health Awareness Month
ESSENCE Magazine - “The Kids Are Not Alright” May/June 2022 Edition
National Board of Certified Counselors- Honorary Presenter June 2022 Washington, DC
Mental Health Academy- 2022 Suicide Prevention Summit
Keynote Speaker for the 2022 National LOSS TEAM Conference
FORT WAYNE, IN
American Association of Suicidology - Presenter April 2022
Detroit/ Wayne Integrated Health Network - July 2022 Presenter
Harvard University Alumni of Color Conference- "Planting the Seeds: Fostering Pathways for Equitable Mental Healthcare”- Presenter March 2022
Kaiser Health News Podcast- Science Friday edition- 2021
Black News Channel - Featured Guest September 2021.
Chicago Southtown 2022
Chicago Tribune
WVON 1690 Radio
Chicago Crusader American
American Psychological Association (APA) Conference August 2022

EDUCATION

Rafiah is a native of the South Side of Chicago (Auburn Gresham) community. She is graduate of Rich Central High School (1993); Southern University and A&M College (BSW - 1998) and completed her Masters Degree in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans Louisiana (2000).

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

100 Pretty Purses Women Resource Fair May 2022-Participant
Southside Strong Prevention Coalition-Member
A Safer Foundation - Crossroads program- Partner
National Council of Negro Women -Member
St. John Church-Baptist Health Ministry- Facilitator
Dr. Charles E. Gavin Women Auxiliary member

Facebook: Soul Survivors of Chicago

Instagram: soulsurviorsofchi

YouTube: Soul Survivors of Chicago

Website: soulsurvivorsofchicago.com