Kristi Roberts is the visionary of Behind The Smiles: The Darius Roberts Foundation. The foundation was established after the loss of her son, Darius aka "Donny Marvo", who took his life in January 2023. Since then, she has been committed to having open conversations about suicide prevention and mental health awareness with young adults of all races especially within the African American community.
Ms. Roberts believes in advocating for individuals who demonstrate signs of suffering in silence. She is sensitive to the needs of others and empowers young adults with access to practical tools, resources, and opportunities that are crucial in their battle for a better quality of life and well-being.
In November 2023, the foundation held its first annual event in honor of Darius’ birthday. It was a success; included refreshments, outdoor games, local police officers, and community speakers.
Kristi embarked on this journey to keep the legacy of Darius alive: his smile. During this time, a few young adults (or their parents) expressed how they often hid behind their smiles and needed affordable therapy or counseling sessions. The foundation currently offers three (3) free therapy sessions to two (2) applicants every year and assists applicants on how to locate providers.
Ms. Roberts has an extraordinary team and network of therapists who are deeply committed to supporting the foundation and raising awareness for mental health. She is excited about the 2024 season and is looking forward to connecting with businesses and individuals within the community who share similar interests.