Fearless leadership, boundless energy and endless support. These are just a few phrases that describe Nancy Carter. Co-founder and former executive director of National Alliance on Mental lllness Urban Los Angeles (NULA) chapter, Ms. Carter has made a name for herself as a family advocate/activist, nationally renowned lecturer and champion of the rights of those suffering with brain disorders.
A native of West Virginia, Ms. Carter attended Howard University before moving to New York City to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Supporting her career as a model/actress, she worked as a guide at the United Nations. Disappointed at the lack of female and minority representation in the entertainment industry, Ms. Carter moved to Los Angeles and started her own talent agency. Later Ms. Carter founded Applause! The Audience Company which provided audience services for top sitcoms like Seinfeld, Moesha, The Parkers and The Steve Harvey Show.
After a loved one was diagnosed with bi polar disorder, Ms. Carter left the entertainment industry and began her career in mental health advocacy. In 2003 she started the Urban Los Angeles chapter of NAMI. She is a recipient of the Family Advocate Award from the LA County Board of Supervisors and the NAMI California Consumer of the Year Award of Excellence. She has received numerous other awards including the Outstanding Contributions in Mental Health from SHARE. Ms. Carter served on the NAMI California Board of Directors as well as the NAMI National Board. She has also served on the boards of Mental Health America CA and Step UP On Second.
Ms. Carter is a nationally renowned keynote speaker. Ms. Carter has addressed the American Psychiatric Association, The American Psychological Association and SAMSHA. She has also headlined lectures for the LA County Department of Mental Health, California Annual Law Enforcement and Mental Health Conference, Southern California Black Psychiatrists Association and the National Association of Black and Hispanic State Legislators. She has appeared on BET, Power 106, 92.3 the Beat and PBS. She was also featured in a special section on mental health in the Los Angeles Times Magazine.
Ms. Carter understands that issues regarding mental health are not just local or even national. For that reason she has traveled around the world with her Roots of Healing project which will merge traditional healing practices with Western medicine.