10/21/2025
Full Circle is proud to announce that Tiarra Braggs has been selected as a recipient of the WNC Racial Equity Mental Health Graduate School Award for the 2025-2026 school year, an honor that supports graduate students committed to advancing racial equity and mental health access in Western North Carolina.
This award will help cover the cost of her graduate program
as she pursues a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling at Appalachian State University.
A dedicated advocate for marginalized communities, Tiarra brings a powerful blend of academic excellence, lived experience, and deep empathy to her work. Her work and passion reflects her commitment to addressing disparities in mental health care amongst low-income, rural populations in Western North Carolina.
Tiarra’s approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. As a Black woman navigating the intersections of race, gender, and socioeconomic status, she understands firsthand how systemic
barriers can silence voices and limit opportunities for healing.
Her work is rooted in walking alongside clients while helping them amplify their own narratives and reclaim agency in their lives.
Post-graduation, Tiarra plans to remain in Western North Carolina, focusing her practice in the Hickory/Lenoir area. Her long-term vision is to build a career that increases access to affirming, identity-conscious, mental health services for those who have historically been overlooked or excluded from care.
This award affirms Tiarra's unwavering commitment to racial equity and mental health justice. We look forward to the impact she will continue to make in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across our
region.
