Program and Partnerships Manager

Taylor leads the Community Mental Health Education Series and oversees all aspects of the WHOLE Schools initiatives. Taylor is a current second year candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill for a Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Health Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights. Taylor is an experienced non-profit worker with emphasis in mental health, equity, and accessibility to resources. She has expertise in public speaking, large and small programming for events (including service projects, conferences, festivals, staff events, and more), project management, and community outreach/advocacy.

Well-Being Specialist

Kourtney is a native of Burlington with deep roots in Durham. He is excited to return home and join the WHOLE Schools Team as the Well-Being Specialist. Dedicated to serving the youth in his community, Kourtney earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Clemson University before transitioning from the corporate world to become a business and computer science educator.

Recognizing his ability to serve youth in various roles, Kourtney pursued a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, focusing his work and training on teens and emerging adults experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction. Kourtney is licensed in North Carolina and is a National Certified Counselor. As the Well-Being Specialist, he is enthusiastic about working with educators and students to promote positive mental health throughout the schools and district.

Understanding that many issues are multifaceted, Kourtney is actively involved in social justice initiatives. When away from work, he can be found crafting, attending concerts and music festivals, or visiting comic stores.

Community Education Program Manager

Breyana was born in Beaufort, SC, yet spent many of her formative years in Chicago, IL, where she first attended school in the basement of her Baptist Church. Her grandmother, an educator in the public school system teaching English, instilled in her an early love of reading and learning, a passion that carried her through the rest of her educational journey.

In 2021, she graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological and Social Sciences, recognizing the profound intersection of social systems and health—the social determinants of health—and their impact on overall well-being.

Breyana continued her education and pursued her Master of Public Health in Health Behavior. She aimed to deepen her understanding of the drivers that impact health and health behavior, and how to leverage them to transform communities. Her own lived experiences fuel her passion for her work, and she is committed to honoring and uplifting the voices of those with lived experiences. Breyana is a dedicated advocate for thriving communities, using her role to create spaces of change where the next generation can thrive.