ala. is a 7x published poet who turns to poetry as a safe space to decompress, connect, and reflect on the many nuances of the human experience. As an aspiring PhD recipient in clinical psychology, she aims to help de-stigmatize the topic of Black mental health. In this lifetime, she wishes to advocate for equal access to mental health care in black and brown communities across the globe. Through her poetry she wishes to teach her audiences that it is okay to take off the mask, tune out the noise, and show up as your most authentic self. ala believes that authenticity and community breed confidence, and when the three of those intertwine, the sky (aka, a billboard on the Las Vegas strip!! ) is the limit.