Meet Antwanette Weaver | Mental Health Clinician & Non-Profit Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Antwanette Weaver and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antwanette, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the desire to improve the quality of life for myself and those around me. So many of us are unable to reach our potential for happiness and joy because we don’t adequately care for our mental and emotional health. We’re more likely to care for our physical health, but don’t realize it all works together. In many cultures, mental health problems and illnesses are stigmatized, so those who struggle often suffer in silence because of shame. I want to normalize therapy and other interventions that work toward improving mental health. Although I’ve worked as a mental health provider for many years, this goal was intensified by losing my son, Kameron, to suicide in July 2020. I never want another parent, family member, or friend to know the pain of this kind of loss, nor do I want anyone to ever feel their only option for peace is death. Therefore, this inspires me to do more to impact more lives.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

As a child, I dreamed of being a nurse because medicine fascinated me. However, during my junior year of high school, I became pregnant with my son and that plan was altered. I needed to work to provide for my son, so I got a job at a local video store. In 1996, a family member helped me secure a teacher assistant position at Edgar Glover Elementary in Fort Bend ISD and that changed the trajectory of my career.

While working as a teacher assistant, I enrolled into Houston Community College to begin working on a degree to pursue a teaching certificate. I completed by undergraduate degree and started teaching first grade at Blueridge Elementary in Fort Bend ISD in 2005. After 3 years, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in counseling with the end goal being to become a school counselor. While pursuing this degree, I  decided to also complete courses to become a licensed professional counselor. I made that decision because I was aware of how mental health issues were not only impacting my life, but the lives of those around me.

In 2010, I completed my degree and obtained a school counseling position with FBISD.  Subsequently, I became a fully licensed professional counselor in 2013. Just when I was contemplating transitioning from the school system to go into private practice, Fort Bend ISD created six mental health counseling positions and in 2019, I began my current position.

On July 13, 2020, I lost my son, Kameron, to suicide. Over the next year, I worked to make meaning of his death, and struggled to understand how this could be our story. After much reflection, I decided to create a non-profit organization to bring awareness to suicide and other mental health related issues. On November 16, 2022, A Bold Story Never Ends became a registered non-profit organization. We chose this name because we believed Kameron’s story could not end with his death, and his boldness in life would be contiued through our actions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Unfortunately, I’ve been so busy with my career and professional goals that I have not taken full advantage of the amenities of this great city. My New Year’s resolution is to  develop a more fulfilling social life and enjoy all this city has to offer. If I had to plan a weekend, it would likely include breakfast at the Breakfast Klub, brunch at Lucille’s, and dinner at Thirteen by James Harden followed by a night of dancing. I also wouldn’t mind participating in an event at Miller Outdoor Theater.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my children, Kameron and Aliyah Weaver because they inspire me to be the best possible version of myself.

Website: www.aboldstoryneverends.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboldstoryneverends/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboldstory

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boldstoryneverends/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aboldstoryneverends

Image Credits
Brenda Yamileth Eggins Cameron Washington Roderick Lightfoot