About Dr. Kamala Uzzell

Experience

Her professional experience encompasses leadership roles in institutions of higher education, including North Carolina Central University School of Law, North Carolina State University, Shaw University and Durham Technical Community College. Currently, Dr. Kamala is an adjunct instructor of Psychology at North Carolina Central University and The University of Mount Olive, and has previously served as an adjunct instructor of Counseling at both Campbell University and N.C. State University.

Dr. Kamala has presented at several local and national professional conferences and has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) as a guest therapist on the television show Unfaithful: Stories of Betrayal. She was recently featured in a virtual video art installation, entitled “Feel Good” for the City of Toronto and the Toronto History Museum. She is featured along with Roger Mooking, the Award-Winning Celebrity Chef and Host of Man Fire Food, and Julien Christian Lutz aka Director X, the Award-Winning Film and Video Director.

Awakenings Reflections with Roger Mooking: Feel Good

Featured guest

Education

B.A. Communication Studies

M.A. Agency Counseling

Ph.D. Counselor Education

Dr. Kamala attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Agency Counseling from Campbell University and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. She is a member of both the North Carolina and American Counseling Associations, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the American Psychological Association.

entreprenuership

Solay Counseling & Consulting

founder

Dr. Kamala has lived out her passion for mental health and wellness by working to alter the negative perceptions surrounding mental illnesses and psychotherapy by founding, owning and operating SOLAY Counseling & Consulting, P.C.

‍Under Dr. Kamala’s leadership and vision, SOLAY has served over 3,000 clients since being founded in 2009, and has offered educational events and resources for members of the community and elsewhere that bring awareness to mental illnesses, their symptoms and treatments.

Service

As a servant leader, Dr. Kamala volunteers her time by speaking at community events on topics related to mental health and wellness. She also volunteers with several organizations in the community, including the American Red Cross as a member of the Disaster Mental Health team, the Ivy Community Center, Inc. as a member of the Board of Directors, Meals on Wheels of Durham, UNC General Alumni Association and Union Baptist Church. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and provides community service in local, regional and international communities.
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Annually, Dr. Kamala awards a financial college scholarship, the Dr. Kamala L. Uzzell Emerging Young Leaders Scholarship, to exceptional high school students from her high school alma mater with the words of the late Vernon E. Jordan in mind: "We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give."

2023 Dr. Kamala L. Uzzell Emerging Leaders Scholarship Recipient

Enilah Darden

Shaw University c/o 2027

Eastern Wayne HS c/o 2023

Past Scholars

2021 Dr. Kamala L. Uzzell Emerging Leaders Scholarship Recipient

Caroline Smith

UNC-Chapel Hill c/o 2025

Eastern Wayne HS c/o 2021

"At the end of the day, it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about who you've lifted up, who you're made better. It's about what you've given back."

- Denzel Washington

2023 Dr. Kamala L. Uzzell Emerging Leaders Scholarship Recipient

Enilah Darden

Shaw University c/o 2027

Eastern Wayne HS c/o 2023

2021 Dr. Kamala L. Uzzell Emerging Leaders Scholarship Recipient

Caroline Smith

UNC-Chapel Hill c/o 2025

Eastern Wayne HS c/o 2021

"At the end of the day, it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about who you've lifted up, who you're made better. It's about what you've given back."

- Denzel Washington

Awards and recognition

2021 NC Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders

selected participant • Graduate

Homegrown Leaders is a regional leadership and community economic development program that equips existing and emerging leaders with the skills they need to lead long-term economic advancement in their community and region.

2019 Durham, NC Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Volunteer of the Year

Sponsored by the Durham Chapter of the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), and coordinated by Durham’s CIT collaborative, the Crisis Intervention Team training teaches recognition of mental health signs and symptoms and de-escalation skills. The intensive 40-hour training covers homelessness, substance abuse and working with special populations (e.g., veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities, etc.,) for police officers and all other first responders in Durham, NC City and County.

Since the program’s start in 2007 more than 1,000 law enforcement officers, detention officers and other first responders have been trained in CIT responses and best practices.

Spectacular Magazine 2017 Woman of the Year

Health and Human Services category

With a mission to enlighten and empower, Spectacular Magazine annually honors the achievements of eight African American women and/or women who have made a difference in the African American community with the Spectacular Magazine Woman of the Year Awards.

‍In a discussion with Spectacular Magazine, Dr. Kamala discusses her mission to provide, protect and fight for equality, and her acclaimed work in the mental health field.

2016 Emerald Award Honoree

Civil & Human Rights category

The Emerald Award, presented by The Links, Inc., Raleigh (NC) Chapter, is an annual recognition program honoring women who have made significant contributions to the North Carolina community.

Certifications and Memberships

Dr. Kamala Uzzell

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