Cleveland G. Oakes Jr.
Cleveland Oakes is a dedicated mental health counseling professional currently working his way towards licensure. His life journey has been shaped by his experiences growing up in Brooklyn during the 1980s as a black teenager, and now, as a father of seven children in a blended biracial family, he continues to draw upon those experiences to create a nurturing and inclusive home environment.
Cleveland's childhood in Brooklyn before it was "cool" was a time marked by both challenges and resilience. Growing up as a black teenager in this era meant facing socioeconomic disparities, systemic racism, and the unique struggles of an urban environment. However, these experiences helped shape Cleveland's character, instilling in him a sense of determination, perseverance, and empathy that would serve him well in his future roles as a father and a mental health counselor. Cleveland's life story is a living example of transformation and resilience.