Grad Student T-Kea Blackman Wins Top Prize at Do Good Challenge Finals

What a MAJOR accomplishment for T-Kea and Black People Die by Suicide Too

The University of Maryland's 14th Annual Do Good Challenge Finals took place on Thursday, April 23. The event honors UMD campus members working to "Do Good" in their communities. 

COMM Grad Student, T-Kea Blackman, competed on the Founders Track for her work co-founding the nonprofit, Black People Die by Suicide Too. Black People Die by Suicide Too "is a peer-led organization committed to breaking the silence surrounding suicide in the Black community." Their mission is to "dismantle the harmful myth that suicide only affects white individuals and to normalize open, honest conversations about mental health and suicide prevention."

Not only did Blackman and Black People Die by Suicide Too WIN the top prize of $10,000 for the Founders Track, but they also won the Audience Choice Award of $2,500. 

When reflecting on her win, T-Kea said, "When you've survived what I have, you learn that showing up, even when it's hard, even when you're scared, is an act of purpose. Standing in that room and fighting for this organization, for this mission, wasn't just a competition for me. It was personal. We exist because lives depend on the kind of support and community we provide, and this funding means we can keep showing up for the people who need us most. And to everyone who voted for us, you didn't just choose us, you chose the people we serve. That means more than I can put into words." 

We could not be more proud of T-Kea and are so thrilled to see $12,500 go towards the important work of Black People Die by Suicide Too!