www.theaustinvillager.com CLASSIFIEDS THE VILLAGER/May 15, 2020 ~ Page 7 EMPLOYMENT | PROPOSALS | PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR SALE | FOR RENT | BIDS | MISCELLANEOUS Princeton has World Says Goodbye to the First Black On-Demand Valedictorian in Mental Health ‘Clean Up Woman’ By Sean Yoes | AFRO Baltimore Editor the University’s Consultations for [email protected] History Children Now By Alaa Elassar | CNN Available to Central Texas Health Care Providers (AUSTIN, TX) — Central Texas pe- diatricians, family practice doctors and other health care providers will soon have instant access to a pediatric men- tal health specialist under a new program funded by the Texas Legislature. Betty Wright Starting May 18, health care provid- ers seeking real-time expert consultation (1953-2020) for a child or teen patient experiencing a (AFRO) - Some believe death comes in threes. mental or behavioral health issue can And that belief was affirmed over the weekend with access this aid through the Child Psy- the death of another music legend, Betty Wright chiatry Access Network (CPAN), a state- on May 10. She was 66. After the death of Hip-Hop super producer and wide initiative managed in Central Texas record executive Andre Harrell on May 7, and Rock by Dell Medical School at The Univer- and Roll pioneer and pop culture icon Little Richard sity of Texas at Austin, in collaboration on May 9, Wright was the third American music star Nicholas Johnson, with Dell Children’s Medical Center of to die in less than a week. Wright stood out even valedictorian of Princeton’s Class of 2020. Central Texas and Ascension Connect. during the transcendent musical era of the 1970’s “Whether it’s about medication op- as a sultry R&B and Soul singer. She crafted three (Photo: Lisa Festa, Center for Career Development/ classics, “Clean Up Woman” (1972), “Tonight is the Princeton University) tions or best practices to counseling, Night” and “Where is the Love” (both in 1975) dur- (CNN) - Princeton University has named its first getting instantaneous answers means ing the decade. “Where is the Love,” won her a black valedictorian in the school’s 274-year history. better access to mental health care – a Grammy in 1975 (she was nominated for six Nicholas Johnson, a Canadian student major- scarce resource for children and teens Grammys during her career). She came back in 1980 ing in operations research and financial engineer- throughout our state,” said Charles B. with another big hit, “No Pain, No Gain,” under her ing, has been named valedictorian of Princeton’s Nemeroff, M.D., chair of Dell Med’s De- own record label, Ms. B Records. Wright died from Class of 2020, the university announced in a news cancer at her home in Miami according to Billboard partment of Psychiatry. release. magazine. “It feels empowering. Being Princeton’s first Central Texas clinics will also be able Black Valedictorian holds special significance to me to access information on mental health particularly given Princeton’s historical ties to the resources in their communities. institution of slavery,” Johnson told CNN via “With critical support from the state Facebook message. “I hope that this achievement legislature, the CPAN initiative recog- motivates and inspires younger black students, par- nizes the importance of child and ado- ticularly those interested in STEM fields.” The graduating senior’s favorite memories at lescent mental health,” said Clay school were those spent with “close friends and Johnston, M.D., Ph.D., dean of Dell Med. classmates engaging in stimulating discussions — “It’s also linking primary care providers often late at night — about our beliefs, the cultures to mental health expertise so that they (L-R) Betty Wright, Little Richard and Andre Harrell and environments in which we were raised, the can better serve patients and their fami- state of the world, and how we plan on contribut- Born Bessie Regina Norris in 1953, Wright be- lies.” ing positively to it in our own unique way,” Johnson gan singing with her family’s gospel group in Mi- said in the school’s news release. Pediatricians and family practice pro- ami. In 1968, she released her debut album at age He also said he appreciated the university for viders also recognize the value of ac- 15, My First Time Around, which garnered her a top encouraging him to explore his interests by support- cessing mental health expertise through 40 hit, “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do.” ing him with international internships and cultural CPAN. “We are excited to be part of the Her discography has been sampled by some immersion trips to Peru, Hong Kong and the United Child Psychiatry Access Network,” noted of the biggest names in the music industry includ- Kingdom. ing Mary J. Blige and R&B supergroup SWV. In 2003, Kimberly Avila Edwards, M.D., medical Johnson’s senior thesis focused on developing Wright co-produced Joss Stone’s The Soul Sessions, algorithms to design a community-based preventa- director of Children’s Health Express, a collection of R&B songs from the 1960’s and tive health intervention to decrease obesity in Dell Children’s Medical Center’s mobile 1970’s. She also produced Stone’s 2005 offering, Canada. clinic. “It is vital that each Children’s Mind, Body and Soul, which was nominated for a A member of the Princeton chapter of Engi- Health Express pediatrician has the Grammy. Wright also appeared on television in 2006 neers Without Borders, Johnson also worked as a knowledge, skill, support and training to as a vocal coach for Sean “Diddy” Combs, “Making software engineer in machine learning at Google’s the Band.” address and treat mental illness as our California headquarters during his time at Princeton. Johnson also has a lot to look forward to. This patients often face tremendous barriers summer, he will intern as a hybrid quantitative re- in accessing other mental health ser- searcher and software developer at the D.E. Shaw vices,” she said. Group, a global investment and technology devel- “During this time of the coronavirus opment firm. pandemic, with children being out of In the fall, Johnson will begin his PhD. studies Are you interested in doing school and sheltered at home to a con- in operations research at the Massachusetts Insti- business with the City of Austin? tute of Technology. siderable extent, assessment and treat- We are here for you! Although the coronavirus pandemic canceled ment of those who are suffering with Princeton’s in-person graduation ceremony, the anxiety, depression and other mental City of Austin school is still holding a virtual one on May 31. health disorders is of paramount impor- Purchasing Office Johnson told CNN it’s “disappointing” to not tance,” said Nemeroff. “CPAN provides Vendor Registration be able to celebrate as a class together in person just such a vitally needed resource, and 512-974-2018 this year. However, he said he is thankful to the ad- we are delighted to be a part of this state- [email protected] ministration for its commitment “to hosting an in- www.austintexas.gov/department/purchasing person commencement for my class in Spring 2021 wide initiative.” to celebrate our achievements.” Central Texas doctors can obtain For information on the City of Austin’s Minority/ Women-Owned Procurement Program please contact the “I have been comforted to see how well my more information and register for the free Small & Minority Business Resources at 512-974-7600 friends and classmates have adapted to these chal- program by phone at 512-843-3007 or or visit www.austintexas.gov/smbr. lenging times,” he said, “and have ensured that by email at [email protected]. Princeton’s strong community persists virtually de- spite our physical separation from one another.” Registered doctors can use the service by calling 888-901-CPAN.