I am Annie Ackerman-Brown Mrs. Washington 2023 XxXx. I am a successful Client Sales Executive for a Digital Banking Company. I have been in the fintech industry nearly 10 years supporting financial institutions moving money. However, I have been in banking industry for 25 years.
In addition to my professional career I am a Co-Founder and President of a nonprofit we started in 2019 in honor of our late son Kess who passed away by Suicide. Our nonprofit BlessedbyKess are bringing new tools into the schools and other organizations focused on high risk individuals with mental illness that help to stabilize and reduce stress and anxiety.
Our Rest and Rejuvenate Suites include 4D massage chairs, Aroma Therapies, other element stimuli such as fans, eye masks and soothing sounds of choice. In addition to these tools we design a beautiful space that is not only soothing to the eyes but to the soul. Stress and anxiety played a huge role into Kess’ overall mental health and we as parents struggled to manage our own. If only we had a resource such as this I truly believe our son with still be with us.
We started BbK(BlessedbyKess- all 1 word) in the winter of 2019 and opened a temporary location in May of 2020. Our intent was to have a temporary location in order to use it for demos and fundraising. With Covid we had to pivot and keep our relaxation center open until 2021 when we set up our 1st center at a high school in Richland WA.
There is a disconnect with what the educational system thinks kids need and what kids actually need. By far one of the biggest challenges we have experienced with our service is education and getting organizations to view mental health in a different light within the schools.
We have learned through our existing high school suites kids are visiting frequently as well as teachers and staff. Yet, the school district is not fully onboard even with minimal expense to the districts.
One of my biggest accomplishments is raising my kids! In addition to my family, I am so proud we are using Kess’ story to help others and knowing this is exactly what he would want to do in life. Help others to find peace and happiness. His wish until he passed.
Our plans are to continue raising money and getting more Rest & Rejuvenate suites in schools and other locations where this is high risk individuals.
If you would like to learn more about BbK and how you can contribute to supporting this cause, please email blessedbykess@outlook.com or call 509-701-4495 for more information.
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