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Arlene is a licenced clinical psychologist, practicing in the state of Texas. Her professional background includes serving as an Assistant Professor at both Texas Southern University and Baylor College of Medicine. As the Director of two private practices, Arlene leads clinical operations and plays an instrumental role in supporting Graceyn and Javoris in establishing and advancing Gracie’s Corner, contributing valuable creative input to the project. Beyond her academic and business commitments, Arlene dedicates her time as a volunteer for various community organisations in the Houston area. In this interview with ESTHER IJEWERE, she shares her inspiring story.
Diving into Arlene’s extensive Clinical Psychology background and academic roles at Texas Southern University and Baylor College of Medicine
I received my Ph.D. from the Louisiana State University (LSU) in Clinical Psychology, Child Track. While at LSU, my main areas of focus were behavioural problems in children, including ADHD and other conduct disorders. This was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at The John Hopkins University School of Medicine with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry where I facilitated research focusing on childhood anxiety and then an international research scholar position at Peking University where I continued research focusing on internalising disorders (PTSD, anxiety). These fantastic experiences equipped me for the wonderful opportunity with Baylor College of Medicine where I served as an Assistant Professor with a joint appointment with Texas Children’s Health Plan. In this position, I oversaw behavioural health services as the associate medical director of behavioural health and was responsible for establishing and maintaining the efficient operation of behavioural health services in a patient-centred medical home. I had several therapists and social workers who worked under my direction.
Our shared goal was to provide the best behavioural health care, including therapy and evaluations to generally underserved children and their families on Medicaid. I left this position and accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Texas Southern University (TSU), an HBCU because I had a greater desire to teach and train therapists, especially those underrepresented in the mental health field. I taught and trained students in the Masters of Arts in Psychology programme. While at TSU, I successfully wrote and was awarded a 2.9 million dollar grant as a principal investigator through HRSA that was focused on increasing the number of mental health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds with the objective of improving the care of those from these underserved communities. Despite my departure from TSU this summer, this grant continues to fund the education of primarily black students in the master’s programme with the aim of developing more minority mental health providers. Simultaneously, while working at Baylor and then TSU, I slowly built my private practice that now serves two locations, has over 10 providers and is continuing to grow.
How she balances clinical directorship with her role at Gracie’s Corner
My work with children and their families has highlighted the importance of early interventions for children who may be at risk for developing behavioural health difficulties. I have been extremely intentional in emphasising affirmations, praise and positive self talk. Negative thinking and self-talk is at the core of many mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Teaching children early on coping skills such as thought restructuring/positive self talk, gradual exposure to fear or anxiety provoking stimuli, and relaxation can reduce the likelihood that they will develop impairing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. This will continue to be an objective of Gracie’s Corner.
Her journey into the innovative world of children’s edutainment
In my work as a psychologist, I have seen firsthand the importance of people feeling included and seen. The concept for this channel first emerged when my husband and I were observing the shows and videos that our children were watching on their streaming devices and television during the pandemic. We noted a lack of diversity in the content and wanted to do something about it, because as I said before, seeing yourself is very important. We consult as a family regarding the content we create; I always give my creative input on topics and even the words in many of the lyrics.
Impact on content enhancement at Gracie’s Corner
I often make suggestions for new songs. For example, the ABC affirmation song was 100 per cent my idea. Any song focused on healthy coping I consult on to make sure we are giving proper advice on how to implement the techniques. For instance, for the deep breath song, I helped write the lyrics to accurately demonstrate diaphragmatic or belly breathing.
Impact of partnerships with Snoop Dogg and Big Freedia on Gracie’s Corner’s content and mission
We have been fortunate to collaborate with musical icons and icons in the making (i.e., That Girl Lay Lay). These are artists we have watched grow and pave their own way. Each represents their own integral part of music influenced by black culture. That’s what Gracie’s Corner is, a platform that will continue to show diversity not only in its characters but also its music.
Passion for volunteering and the causes that matter most
We are passionate about quality education for all children, providing support and resources to families from underserved communities and reducing health disparities. Being that Gracie’s dad is from a very small, impoverished town, and I am from a city with many families living below the poverty line, the cause that has been closest to our hearts has involved providing resources, including school supplies, tutoring and extracurricular/enrichment activities to families in need. We have donated to schools and individually worked with organisations such as the Houston Food Bank, Angel Tree (kids of incarcerated parents), as well as the Chimney Rock Center (a residential facility for children removed from their homes) and are in the process of establishing the Gracie’s Corner Foundation with hopes of focusing our efforts on a bigger level as an organisation.
Setting it apart and unlocking the secrets to its phenomenal success
Gracie’s Corner was a disrupter; we were created with the desire to do something different from the characters to the music, and we’ve done just that authentically our way. We intentionally have made children of colour the main characters and placed them in the forefront, have shown the diversity in musical genres inspired by Black and brown people, and have showcased different places/cultures in the world populated with beautiful black and brown people.
Crafting an idea and overcoming challenges
The idea emerged during the pandemic at a time when everyone was forced to work and school from home. Most families and children were consuming more screen time, consequently and we were able to identify a void in children’s content. At that time there was a lack of diversity in animated children’s learning programmes geared towards younger kids, particularly on YouTube. We were proactive and decided to do something about it.
Initial challenges included locating the necessary components to make this project successful, including the recording equipment, freelance animator, etc. Additionally, we were a family of five including a small infant; we had to figure out how to financially fund this project. It was very hard in the beginning. Each video would set us back a substantial amount of money and we were not monetised until after we released over a dozen videos. So, initially it was purely a labour of love. As a result of the pandemic, my private practice flourished and helped sustain the production of Gracie’s Corner for the first year and a half.
The significance of African connections and contributions to the series
Diversity for us has always been important and was the cornerstone of Gracie’s Corner’s conception. When we were thinking about what we wanted our team to look like, we knew we wanted the team to look just like the characters – diverse. For many reasons, including cultural sensitivity, it was imperative to us that we hire a black animator. Our hiring a team in Nigeria has allowed us to create jobs there, which has contributed to money circulating within that country. Our animation team has grown substantially over the last year (from one to a team of six). Opening this studio has given so much opportunity to students (our head animator has implemented a training programme) hoping to work with major animation studios in the future after sharpening their skills and gaining experience. The team truly understands the different complexities of children of colour and it shows in their work.
Three inspirational women who have shaped her journey
My mother; as the second oldest of 10 children, had to begin working very early to help her mother after my grandfather passed away. She continued to work three jobs when I was growing up to provide everything we needed. She truly showed me the importance of working hard and being your best for others even when it is not easy.
Mary Lou Kelley, my advisor in graduate school. She always saw the potential in others and gave them chances that others would not, including me. She is the true definition of a mentor and teacher. I learned not only how to advocate for myself, but also how to fervently advocate and be the voice for others from her.
Michelle Obama truly embodies grace, integrity, and dignity. People were mean to her and her husband when they were in the White House and she always held her head high and continued to shine bright and be unapologetically herself. Many people would struggle with this.
Being a Woman of Rubies
I understand the importance of lifting others with me as I am elevated. I have been fortunate to be in the presence of others who have done the same. I understand that my village is why I am who and where I am and so I know the importance of sowing back into that village.
What lies in store for Gracie’s Corner’s viewers and fans?
Our goal is to grow our team here and abroad with the goal of continuing to bring our supporters fresh/new content. We also are in the process of developing live music shows, longer-form content that will allow you to get to know Gracie and the other characters deeper, as well as more merchandise including apparel and toys.
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