
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.
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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.
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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).
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She is the exeutive producer of the documentary 'While the Children Fade' https://youtu.be/uOuN2prgPZw?si=3Z7cCulbspdda0ZW
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Soul Survivors of Chicago, NFP PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCNQVcJ3AaI
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“We Cry Your Tears: The Jamal Clay Story": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie-32XYDKiM
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WEBSITE: www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com
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HER WORK HAS BEEN FEATURED BY:
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Chicago Sun Times- September 30, 2023 Front Page story “Cook County’s Black Suicide Surge”
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2024 Woman of the Year- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
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PBS NewsHour: Disparities in Mental Health- Race Matters segment
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National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS);Duke University
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated International Leadership Conference-Panel Speaker
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2023 Cultivate. Restore. Empower: Reclaiming Joy in the Black Community Conference-Panel Speaker
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ESSENCE Magazine - “The Kids Are Not Alright” May/June 2022 Edition
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Congresswoman Robin Kelly #IL02 Local Hero Spotlight honoree #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
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National Association of Social Workers- IL Chapter Speaker Series: “It Take a Village to Raise a Child…and a Child to teach a Village: Lessons Learned from a Social Worker who lost their child by suicide”
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American Psychological Association (APA) National Conference Presenter - August 2022 Minneapolis, MN
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National Board of Certified Counselors- Honorary Presenter June 2022 Washington, DC
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Illinois Department of Public Health- ISPA Board Member
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Mental Health Academy 2022 Suicide Prevention Summit- Presenter
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American Association of Suicidology - Presenter April 2022
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Harvard University Alumni of Color Conference- "Planting the Seeds: Fostering Pathways for Equitable Mental Healthcare”- Presenter March 2022
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InsightHealth Podcast
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NPR Kaiser Health News Podcast- Science Friday edition- 2021
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Black News Channel - Featured Guest September 2021.
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Chicago Southtown 2022
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Chicago Tribune 2021
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WVON 1690 Radio 2022
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Chicago Crusader American 2021
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NoStima Podcast 2022
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Therapy Thursday Podcast 2022
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Detroit/Wayne Integrated Health Network- Suicidology Conference Keynote Speaker
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“Regionally Speaking” Podcast 2022
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2022 National Loss Team Conference- Fort Wayne Indiana - Keynote Speaker
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
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Southside Strong Prevention Coalition-Member
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A Safer Foundation - Crossroads program- Partner
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National Council of Negro Women -Member
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St. John Church-Baptist Health Ministry- Facilitator
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Dr. Charles E. Gavin Women Auxiliary member
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Follow us on :
Facebook: Soul Survivors of Chicago
Instagram: soulsurviorsofchi
YouTube: Soul Survivors of Chicago
Website: soulsurvivorsofchicago.com

