Sonyia Richardson, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, entrepreneur, trainer, researcher, author, and educator. Dr. Richardson is an Assistant Professor at UNC Charlotte, Director of the Race and Social Equity Academy, and Director of the Mental Health Research and Practice Lab. Her teaching and service interests focus on the intersection of urban education and social work. Additionally, she focuses on mental wellness and suicide-related behaviors among diverse youth. She has provided consulting services for over 15 years to corporations, universities, and organizations. In addition to teaching, Dr. Richardson is the Owner of Another Level Counseling and Consultation, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Another Level Counseling and Consultation has provided a continuum of behavioral healthcare services in Mecklenburg County for over 15 years.

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Dr. Richardson received a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Urban Education from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.  She received a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.  

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As a consultant, Dr. Richardson has worked with fortune 500 companies and small businesses internationally. Consulting projects have focused on behavioral healthcare business development, JEDI Training (Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion), mental wellness in the workplace, and culturally tailored mental health services. She partners with a diverse team of trainers to meet the needs of businesses.

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Dr. Richardson was successfully awarded an NIMH R34 grant for her first submission. The CA-LINC: A Culturally Adapted Care Coordination Suicide Detection and Intervention Model for Black Youth (1R34MH129782-01) is led by researchers at UNC Charlotte (Dr. Richardson and Dr. Laura Gunn), North Carolina A&T State University (Dr. Michelle Vance), University of Central Florida (Dr. Kimberly Gryglewicz), and University of South Florida (Dr. Marc Karver). This mixed-methods study pilot tests a novel care coordination intervention aimed at improving risk detection, service referrals, treatment, continuity of care, and service engagement among Black youth and Black LGBTQ+SGL youth ages 14-17. 

 

Dr. Richardson previously served a three-year term with the National Institutes of Mental Health, Adult Mental Health Interventions Subcommittee as a Public Reviewer.  Dr. Richardson currently serves as a Delegate for the National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter and was appointed by the National President to the Private Practice Specialty Subcommittee to provide expertise and guidance to private practitioners nationally. She is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class #33 and volunteers with state and county-based initiatives.

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Most importantly, she has been married to her spouse Rondell Richardson for 20 years, and they have two sons, Micah and Jayson, enrolled in college. Her hobbies include traveling, Zumba, and reading.