Interview with Valerie Cunningham

This is an interview with the founder and CEO of The Synergy Health Center Valerie Cunningham recorded on January 22, 2025. Ms. Cunningham was interviewed by JB Brown as a part of SHARE's “Standing on Her Shoulders” oral history project. During the interview Ms. Cunningham discusses the following topics: Her childhood in Kalamazoo; Her mother as her main inspiration; Her experience as a Black Woman at a PWI; Pivoting from business to social work; Being a busy mother while pursuing her MSW; Founding the Synergy Health Center; Defining and expanding her vision; How she overcame hurdles in the development of her business; Researching race disparities in mental health; Developing the Black Wellness Network; The importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in providing services; Her company’s strategies for breaking the stigma around Black mental health; Her thoughts on being a Strong Black Woman; Maintaining her work-life balance; Youth outreach; The future of Black mental health support; Advice to her younger self, and; The importance of archiving Black stories and voices.