Meet Nina Taylor of Merald.io (pronounced Emerald.io)

The future of quality care to improve and accelerate mental health outcomes in the black community.

Nina Taylor is the founder and CEO of Merlad.io. Nina has more than 14 years of progressive experience in medical education, research, strategy and new venture development. Nina collaborated with mental health professionals to launch the Psychiatry Innovation Lab and Mental Health Innovation Zone (MHIZ).

The post pandemic world only compounded the issues and complexities that have existed in our communities, and we believe that seeking help to address trauma, depression, anxiety and stress, should be easily accessible at your fingertips. We are developing a user friendly, engaging, patient centered app that will provide access to quality clinical care by leading black psychiatrists, immersive life coaching, to breakthrough trauma and tools to support Individual healing through self guided development and access to wrap around services.

Key driving force to become an entrepreneur:

• The driving force is a need for a mental health solution that would be developed to directly address what black americans are struggling with. Post Covid there was an increase in suicide ideation and completion in the black community. For many years I worked with the medical community through education to address access issues in quality clinical care throughout the country.

Where did your concept come from?

• The inspiration was the movie “The Wiz”. The movie is loaded with depictions of the black experience, the characters find wisdom through their interactions, their beliefs and the environment. My aim is to make users feel excited about taking care of their mental health, to begin addressing the roots of trauma and to talk about mental health in a positive way to remove stigma that has been associated with it for generations.

Sometimes success is slow or doesn’t come so easily. Did you experience or have to overcome any challenges or barriers?

• VCs (Venture Capitalist) rarely entertain black woman led startups until our products are out on the market with metrics for traction. A number of other startups have access to capital to be able to launch products quickly.. less than 1% of VC funding is allocated to black owners which means we bootstrap, crowdfund, work full time jobs then work on our business. It’s a challenge but the need is greater than the challenge so we find ways to move forward despite the obstacles stacked against us.

At Soigne’+Swank Magazine, we make it our business to highlight and promote positive, uplifting, and meaningful examples of black excellence. What does black excellence mean to you?

• Black Excellence means taking care of our own. Supporting each other and not just in the good times. It means standing up and sometime calling out injustice.

What advice would you give your younger self, and what’s next for you and your brand?

• “Always bet on yourself, fear is a thief of dreams. Never let fear or a lack of support stop you from trying.” We are in build mode and preparing for a Spring Launch. We would love to stay connected to readers through social @meraldsocial or subscribing on our website www.merald.io