Our Mission
Every conversation is an opportunity to connect, learn, and make a difference.
Let's Talk About It Cincy is a community-focused nonprofit committed to advancing mental health awareness, education, advocacy, and meaningful community engagement.
What we believe
Open, informed conversations are essential to reducing stigma and strengthening understanding.
Individuals and families deserve environments where they feel supported, respected, and empowered to seek resources.
Education, facilitated conversation, partnerships, and outreach bridge gaps in awareness and access.
Our commitment extends beyond conversation: we build lasting relationships and compassionate, informed communities.
Our philosophy
Bridging ancestral strength and modern holistic wellness
Communities already hold much of what they need to heal. Cultural identity, family history, faith traditions, and the wisdom of elders are sources of strength. Our role is to honor those strengths, connect them with modern wellness practices, and give people a safe and familiar place to put both to work. This is how we transform historical trauma into a foundation of community resilience.
Six commitments guide every program
Conversation comes first.
Every program creates room for open, judgment-free dialogue about mental health and wellness, because understanding is where change begins.
Meet people where they are.
We go to neighborhoods, community spaces, and existing gatherings rather than waiting for people to find us.
Relationship over transaction.
We earn trust through consistent presence, cultural respect, and follow-through.
Every generation has a role.
Youth and elders learn from one another, and resilience is passed forward on purpose.
Youth voice leads forward.
Young people help shape and lead peer wellness efforts, giving the next generation a clear voice.
Build what lasts.
Every engagement leaves behind trained leaders, resources, and workflows that communities and partners can sustain.
A message from Gina
Gina F. Marr-Hawkins, QMHS, OCPSA
Principal Consultant, Let's Talk About It
"Meaningful change begins with conversation."
I have carried that belief through every role I have held, and it is the reason Let's Talk About It exists. My work has always centered on strengthening communities, expanding access to resources, and supporting individuals and families through education, advocacy, and meaningful engagement. My career of more than 30 years spans mental health, substance use prevention, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and corporate partnerships.
At UMADAOP of Cincinnati, my work focused on mental health education, substance use prevention, recovery awareness, and community-based programming. Through training, facilitation, and collaborative partnerships, I helped create opportunities for individuals and families to access information, strengthen life skills, and engage in honest conversations about mental health and wellness.
Earlier, at Howard University, I supported programs serving approximately 2,600 students with disabilities, contributing to program operations, accessibility resources, technology support, and staff management. My path also includes corporate engagement, fundraising, and national outreach initiatives supporting students, families, and underserved communities.
What continues to drive my work is the opportunity to bring people, organizations, and resources together around a shared purpose. Good programs start with listening. When we take the time to understand what a community is telling us, we can develop thoughtful, sustainable programs that make a real difference in people's lives.
Let's Talk About It Cincy is how I carry that commitment forward here in Cincinnati.
- Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS)
- Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA)
- B.A. Communications, Bowling Green State University