Celia Brown Legacy Leadership Award Awardees

The Center for Practice Innovations (CPI) is very pleased to celebrate the birthday of the late Celia Brown by announcing our inaugural Celia Brown Legacy Leadership Awards! These awards are presented to two young people on Celia’s birthday in memory of her legacy of global leadership and to continue her dream of supporting young people to lead us and our communities across New York State. Each person will receive $2500, mentorship, and implementation support from CPI for their respective leadership projects. Please join us in celebrating the birthday of Celia Brown and congratulating our 2025 awardees!

Honoring Celia Brown

Ronda (Ro) Speight, NYCPS, Project Coordinator and Equity Advocate with the Bureau Of Community Feedback and the Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services at the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) offers the following in memory of Celia Brown: “Systems cannot necessarily be changed, but perhaps the people who make up systems can.” This was a statement that Celia Brown shared that humbled me when I was just starting my advocacy and peer support work training. I had a passion to make a difference. As I have grown and developed in advocacy work, her words resonate with a profound clarity. Celia nourished and sustained her relationships with individuals and communities. Years later, I now understand the importance of building genuine relationships with people to achieve impactful change. I hope that the individuals awarded will build transformative connections with individuals and communities in her legacy.”

Liz Breier, MAHAP, CPRP, NYSCPS-P, Acting Chief Advocacy Officer, Office of Advocacy and Peer Support Services, NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) states, “We have never seen systems in need of change as we do right now. Understanding the many intersections of people is what matters. Celia always understood this and knew how to navigate oppressive spaces and places, making progress forward with such grace. We are grateful that the individuals receiving this award embody Celia’s vision of advocacy.”

Carlton Whitmore, Director, Office of Consumer Affairs, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene offers, “Celia was a fierce advocate, beloved leader, and true friend to our community. We are forever grateful for her contributions. Her spirit lives on in all we do.”

Jonathan P. Edwards, Ph.D., LCSW, CPS, Peer Support Workforce Consultant, Faculty, and Researcher, Colleague and Longtime Friend states, “Celia possessed unparalleled wisdom and skill navigating historically oppressive systems while simultaneously changing the narrative within these same hierarchies. She was a tireless advocate, possessed a buoyant spirit, and was intentional about supporting others, especially youth and young adults. Celia inspired her fellow advocates to speak out against inhumane practices, racism, and stigma. She skillfully traversed multiple roles with grace and discretion. Mere words cannot capture the breadth and depth of support Celia exchanged with her peers, friends, and family. The Celia Brown Legacy Leadership Award provides an opportunity to honor Celia’s vision through continued advocacy and representation.”

Meet the 2025 Celia Brown Legacy Leadership Award Winners!

16-20 category: Wyatt Wagner

Wyatt Wagner is the Director and Founder of Youth of Lewis County, an organization making a profound impact by providing youth peer advocate services and fostering an empowering space for young people. Wyatt has also spearheaded the county's first-ever Ren Faire, demonstrating his exceptional leadership and community spirit. A dedicated full-time student and Direct Support Professional, Wyatt personally champions improved services through his lived experience advocacy. His remarkable dedication to Lewis County's future is further underscored by his candidacy for local legislator.

21-30 category: Cecelia Mendes

Cecilia Mendes is a dedicated peer counselor at a crisis respite center, serving the people of New York City with compassion and care. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology and anticipates graduating in December 2025, with plans to pursue her Master’s degree in Social Work. She is passionate about social impact, community building, and mental health awareness.

Alongside her commitment to social impact, Cecilia is also an aspiring writer focused on amplifying the experiences of diverse Black women. Her work integrates faith, healing, and authentic narratives to inspire resilience and connection in every community she serves.

Her project, The Creator’s Corner, was inspired by her own experiences of finding interest in new skills and hobbies but facing barriers to accessible, affordable, and ongoing resources. Cecilia became passionate about creating opportunities for others like her. The project aims to connect young adults to enriching skills and hobbies that can shape their lives. It seeks to broaden their career and lifestyle possibilities and support them in developing these skills to a confident, working level.



Another equally important aspect of the project is building community. Cecilia hopes The Creator’s Corner will create spaces where people can forge genuine friendships, get out of their heads and virtual worlds, and connect meaningfully in real life.

She looks forward to bringing this vision to life and making a lasting impact.