Natalie DeLaCruz (she/they) is an experienced activist, passionate college student, and resilient DEI advocate. Natalie graduated high school a year early to pursue her passion of making the world more equitable and just. At just 19 years old, Natalie is now a third year student at Northeastern University where they are a Political Science & Human Services major and Spanish minor. Natalie has worked as Herren Project’s Youth Engagement Specialist where they run the Youth Ambassador program and host the Purple Effect Podcast.

Natalie has had the honor to moderate the 2022 Mobilize Recovery panel on Centering Youth Voices in the Recovery Movement and present at ARHE’s 2023 conference about Building More Inclusive Recovery Communities for Young People. As an activist, Natalie has worked in politics at all levels and organized protests for Stop Asian Hate & against the Don’t Say Gay law. Extremely passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Natalie serves as Northeastern Student Government Association’s Vice President of DEI, where she is overseeing a policy proposal to create a Women’s Center on campus. She also serves as a LeanonMe Peer Supporter, Research Assistant in the Belonging and Social Identities Lab, and their chapter of Student Demand Action’s Advocacy Lead.

After struggling with their mental health and substance use starting at age 12, Natalie has been in recovery for over six years. They hope to continue to break the stigma and connect historically marginalized communities to recovery resources.

Dr. CJ holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration. She is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, and credited with being a founding member and coordinator of Aggies for Recovery, the first collegiate recovery community at an HBCU, at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Dr. CJ is an advocate for dialogue regarding the current trends and topics in the field of addiction, recovery, and substance misuse.

As a woman of color, she prides herself on bringing awareness to BIPOC issues within the field. In her role as collegiate recovery champion, she provides consultation and expertise regarding innovative programming relevant to diverse campus culture. As a recovery advocate for collegiate recovery at HBCUs, Dr. CJ is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience in the areas of addiction and recovery among people of color. In her career as an Assistant Professor, Dr. CJ strives to identify, expand, and replicate the success of collegiate recovery on more– and hopefully one day all– HBCU campuses. Her other professional interests are working with veterans, identity development, biofeedback training, relaxation techniques, life-long recovery, and wellness.

I am an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary (UCalgary), and the founder and director of the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC), and Recovery on Campus Alberta (ROC). As a registered social worker, educator, researcher, and engaged activist, I have worked in the areas of homelessness and addiction-recovery for over 15 years.

I combine my lived experience of addiction, recovery, and disability with a passion for creative, community-based participatory methodologies, to reduce stigma for marginalized populations in scholarly and mainstream spaces alike.

After many years of homelessness and going in and out of jail I realized I was sick and tired of living a life that lead me nowhere. On June 30, 2020 I made the life-saving decision to walk into the rooms of recovery.

Since coming into the rooms, I have gained the knowledge of knowing that I wasn’t alone and I don’t have to go through this alone. I moved into my first sober living home on July 27, 2020. I can honestly say that I owe my life and every blessing I have received to my recovery, my network and my family. Through the strength of my Higher Power and the fellowship I have gain a new sense of what my purpose is in life, and that purpose is to share my experience, strength and hope with anyone and everyone who needs to hear this life saving message.