Meet Shanae Benito of Shanae Benito Foundation Inc. 501c3 (DBA SB Wellness Foundation)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanae Benito.

Hi Shanae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

Born in Queens, New York, I relocated to Atlanta with my family during childhood. As an only child, I developed a keen sense of observation and an enduring curiosity about human behavior and motivations. This fascination with understanding the “why” behind people’s actions led me to pursue a psychology major in college. After two years, I transitioned to mass communications, as I did not envision pursuing the graduate studies required for a career as a mental health clinician at the time. During this period, I also thrived as a professional dancer and music artist, channeling my creativity into these pursuits.

In late 2019, upon learning I was pregnant with my daughter, I sought a more stable career path with a reliable income. Guided by my mentor, Dr. Galen Cole, I returned to my original passion for clinical mental health care, driven by a desire to improve quality of life for others. My personal experiences, including witnessing the impact of depression and trauma on family members and navigating my own struggles which depressive seasons and suicidal ideation as child, deepened my commitment to this field.

As a licensed therapist, I recognized the significant barriers faced by people of color in accessing quality mental health care, including lack of insurance and unaffordable self-pay rates. These systemic challenges inspired me to establish the Shanae Benito Foundation, operating as the SB Wellness Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to empowering underserved communities by providing accessible tools, programs, and resources to enhance mental and physical well-being while addressing systemic racism and biases.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a newly established nonprofit, our journey has been both challenging and rewarding. Launching an organization requires significant resources, and as a small team, we have faced financial constraints that have tested our resilience. Initially, much of our work has been self-funded, relying on personal contributions and the generous volunteer efforts of our dedicated team and supporters.

To maximize our impact, we have worked diligently to leverage our resources, relationships, and community connections. However, securing funding is essential to sustain and expand our programs and initiatives, which are at the heart of our mission to serve the community. Without these programs, it can be difficult to demonstrate our value to potential partners, donors, and sponsors, creating a challenging cycle for a young organization.

Despite these obstacles, we remain steadfast in our commitment, guided by faith, determination, and a shared vision. We are immensely proud of the progress we have made and the lives we have touched through our efforts. With humility and gratitude, we continue to build on this foundation, driven by our passion to create meaningful change in our community.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our mission is to promote and advocate for the mental and physical health and wellness of BIPOC individuals while dismantling systemic racism and biases that hinder access to opportunities. Led by a passionate team of like-minded individuals, the foundation empowers underserved communities by providing essential tools and resources to enhance mental and physical well-being. Our work is organized into three key departments: Health and Wellness, which focuses on mental and physical health initiatives; Youth Development, which nurtures the potential of young people; and Race Equity, which actively addresses systemic barriers to create a more just and equitable society. Together, we strive to transform lives and build a healthier, more equitable future for generations to come.
What sets us apart from others are the various resources we provide in-house. I am most proud of the impact we are having both on the youth and on adults. When you are able to touch the youth, that is preventative care. You set them up for higher probability of healthy wellbeing later. For our adults, we work to provide them resources and care to heal from the inside out. Both demographics are priority. Because of our passion for affordable care, we have the “Healing Hearts: Mental Health Scholarship Program”, which provides reduced mental health care to BIPOC individuals suffering financial instability. We want readers to know no matter what race, background, or circumstance, you are worthy and there are people who care. This organization exists to prove that.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My favorite books include The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and the Bible, which offer profound insights into personal growth and spiritual wisdom. I am inspired by contemporary speakers and motivators such as Eric Thomas, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Brené Brown, whose dynamic approaches to resilience and authenticity resonate deeply. Additionally, I enjoy philosophy and self-help books, as well as documentaries, for their ability to provoke thought and foster self-improvement.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sbwellnessfoundation.org/ and www.shanaebenito.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbwellnessfoundation/ and https://www.instagram.com/shanaebenito_/

Image Credits
Photo Cred: @thehbuc