Nancy Carter

1818 Ocean Park Blvd., Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-850-9332
nancycarterconsulting@gmail.com

Summary

A native of Logan, West Virginia, Ms. Carter has over thirty years of professional experience in the entertainment industry. After attending Howard University in Washington, DC, Nancy began a career as a professional model and studied acting at the famed Negro Ensemble Company in New York while working as a tour guide for the United Nations.

Ms. Carter moved west in 1971, changed professions and founded one of the first talent agencies for African-Americans and persons of color in Hollywood. For ten years, Nancy owned and operated “Applause! The Audience Company” where she supplied audiences for hit TV shows.

Ms. Carter is most proud of her work in the field of mental health. When a family member was diagnosed with mental illness 30 years ago, she became an active advocate for people with brain disorders. She co-founded NULA (National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban Los Angeles chapter) along with writer, Bebe Moore Campbell, served for two years on the California State Board of NAMI and chaired its multi-cultural outreach committee. She also served as a member of the NAMI National Board. Ms. Carter is well-known nationally and in the Los Angeles mental health community where she served on several area committees for planning, crisis intervention and criminal justice.

Nancy has served on the board of directors of Mental Health America California and Step Up on Second.

Professional and Community Involvements

  • Certified Family-To-Family Education teacher for NAMI and has graduated over 400 students from her classes
  • Certified “In Living Color” Trainer for Physicians
  • Certified NAMI Provider Education Trainer
  • Conducts workshops and presentations for the public, faith-based, law enforcement including Twin Towers Jail facility in Los Angeles
  • LA County Commissioner — Policy Roundtable on Childcare
  • LAPD Mental Health Crisis Response Program Advisory Board
  • LAPD Mental Health Task Force
  • MHSAOAC — Cultural and Linguistic Committee
  • Project ABC Governance Board
  • Sheriff’s Advisory Crisis Team Committee
  • Twin Towers Jail Justice Committee
  • 2023: KJLH Black Women’s Health Expo
  • 2023: Black Women Physicians Retreat
  • 2014-Present: REMHDCO
  • 2013-2016: Board Member of NAMI Westside, Los Angeles
  • 2010-2014: California Reducing Disparities Project, African-American Strategic Planning Workgroup
  • 2004-2010: Department of Mental Health — Served on state, county and local committees of the Mental Health Services Act
  • 2005-2007: Co-Chairs the Mental Health Services Act Adult Systems of Care Steering Committee

Speaking Engagements

  • 2016: The African Diaspora Global Mental Health Conference, Cape Town, South Africa
  • 2010: National Association of Black and Hispanic State Legislators Conference, San Diego, CA
  • 2010: 10th Annual African-American Family Support Conference, Austin, TX
  • 2009: NAMI Color of Justice Conference, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2009: SAMSHA National Policy Summit on the Elimination of Disparities in Mental Health Care, New Orleans, LA
  • 2009: Sixth Annual Black Psychiatrists Spring Conference, New Orleans, LA
  • 2009: Delaware Health and Social Services 37th Summer Institute
  • 2008: American Psychological Association Culturallly Informed Evidence Based Practices, Bethesda, MD
  • 2008: Maine Department of Behavioral Health, “Thrive: Healing Invisible Wounds” Conference
  • 2007: NAMI National Convention, Washington, DC
  • 2007: CA Legislative Black Caucus Foundation 3rd Annual Conference
  • 2007: LA County Department of Mental Health Conference for Faith Leaders
  • 2006: Iowa State Diversity Conference
  • 2006: Oklahoma State Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Best Practices Conferences
  • 2006: Presenter — USC Leadership Training for California Institutes of Mental Health
  • 2005/2006: Workshop Presentation — DMH Annual African-Americans in Mental Health Conference — “Roots of Healing in Ethnic Cultures”; “Family Perspectives on Mental Wellness”
  • 2005: Workshop Presentation — Los Angeles County Probation Department
  • 2005: Forum Speaker — Black Entertainment Television (BET) Foundation, New York City
  • 2005: Workshop Speaker — UCLA Chancellor’s Committee on Disability
  • 2005: Speaker — Southern California Black Psychiatrists Association
  • 2005: Forum Speaker — All of Us Or None Of Us: Criminal Justice and Mental Illness
  • 2005: Workshop Presenter — NAMI National Convention, “Spirituality and Faith In Communities of Color”
  • 2005: Workshop Co-Presenter — NAMI California Convention, Criminal Justice Planning for the State
  • 2005: Presenter — YMCA Greater Los Angeles, Compton Chapter
  • 2005: Panelist – LA Department of Mental Health Quarterly Psychiatrists Meeting
  • 2004: Presenter — Patton State Hospital
  • 2004: Workshop Speaker — LA County DMH Annual Multi-Cultural Conferences
  • 2004: Workshop Panelist — LA County Annual Law Enforcement and Mental Health Conference

Affiliations

  • 2015 – 2018: Board Member, Mental Health America, CA
  • 2014 – 2019: Board Member, Step Up on Second
  • 2008 – Present: Advisory Board Member Daniel’s Place
  • 2008 – Present: Steward Member National Network to End Disparities (NNED)
  • 2008 – 2010: Board Member Project ABC Governance
  • 2003 – 2010: Co-Founder and President of NULA (NAMI Urban Los Angeles)
  • 2005 – 2008: Vice President: NAMI Los Angeles Coordinating Council
  • 2006 – 2008: Board Member, NAMI National
  • 2004 – 2005: Board Member, NAMI California

Awards and Recognition

  • 2018: El Saber Es Poder Champion Award
  • 2016: Nominee SAMSHA Voice Awards
  • 2008: NAMI National Board Recognition Award
  • 2007: NAMI California Consumer of the Year
  • 2005: NAMI California Board Recognition Award
  • 2005: “Outstanding Contribution to Mental Health”, SHARE Recovery Awards
  • 2004: “Family Advocate” Award Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission
  • 2003: “Spirit of Service” Silver Ribbon Award NAMI Los Angeles County

Education

  • Howard University, Washington, DC
  • Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA
  • UCLA Extension Writers Program, Los Angeles, CA
  • USC / CIMH Mental Health Leadership Program