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OUR MISSION
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Mission: Artist Talk creates safe spaces for artists to learn and grow in their professional artistry while developing skills and acquiring tools to maintain and take care of their mental health.
Vision: We envision a greater Pittsburgh region where black and brown artists have access to mental health and wellness providers, professional development, and tools to build healthy support systems. and take care of their mental health.
Our Leadership
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With roots in finance and a heart in creativity, Sydney Davis is on a mission to bridge art and healing. Before launching Artist Talk Mental Health, she worked in banking before realizing her true calling lived in creative expression and community care.
Sydney is also the founder of Niplids, a brand born out of personal purpose, where 20% of proceeds support breast cancer awareness. Through Niplids, she discovered the power of art to spark conversation, connection, and healing an experience that inspired her to create Artist Talk Mental Health.
Artist Talk is more than a platform—it’s a community dedicated to supporting Black and Brown artists through mental health education, creative expression, and collective healing. Under its Therapeutic Spaces initiative, Sydney and her team have facilitated group therapy sessions, workshops, and arts-based programs that normalize mental health conversations within artist communities.
Through Black Therapy 101, Artist Talk educates the community on mental health and provides space for application and practice helping participants learn real tools for emotional well-being. With A Dose of Healing, Sydney curates immersive events where guests can experience different types of therapies, wellness practices, and artistic expressions to discover what works best for them. And through the Artist Talk Mental Health Showcase, she creates safe spaces for artists to present or perform their work and share the stories behind it—centering healing, vulnerability, and creative truth.
As an artist herself, Sydney understands the tension between creativity, vulnerability, and sustainability. She founded Artist Talk during the pandemic, when many creatives felt unseen and isolated, with the goal of creating both a sanctuary and a catalyst for healing.
ATMH offers curated workshops, panel discussions, artist showcases and group therapy sessions that feature certified mental health and business professionals to serve the community.
Advisory board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Dr. Darla Timbo
Dr. Darla Timbo is a holistic psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and yoga instructor in training. She is redefining the path to well-being by empowering women and people of color through integrative mental health practices. Dr. Timbo brings over 18 years of experience in the field.
Bilal rey abbey
Bilal Rey Abbey is an educator, researcher, audio engineer, and podcast co-host with strong ties to youth communities. Since 2015, he has served as a teacher at University Preparatory High School at Margaret Milliones in Pittsburgh. He co-hosts The Lum and LaL Show, a podcast exploring current events, music, and spirituality. In 2013, he worked as a researcher for author Samuel W. Black and interned at the Heinz History Center. Bilal is also a member of The Legacy Leadership Collective, where he coaches others in self-growth and passive income strategies.
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katina lee
Katina Lee is a creativity coach, group facilitator, visual artist, and mentor. Her work centers on self-advocacy, strength-based counseling, and creative healing practices. She believes that creativity is essential to healing the mind, body, and spirit. A trained human services professional, Katina has served in both public and private sectors for over 35 years.
Robin m. sheffey
Robin M. Sheffey is the Program Manager of Wellness Services at Steel Smiling, where she supports the Black Mental Health Fund, co-facilitates the Beams to Bridges Program, conducts referral intakes, and offers both group and individual non-formal mental health support. With over 20 years in the mental health field, Robin has provided drug and alcohol counseling and managed programming for a maternal addiction program and youth homeless shelter. She is also the sole proprietor of 4 Wellness, offering consulting, peer supervision, mental health training, psychoeducation, and conflict resolution services.
Robin holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Duquesne University, a Micro-Master in Substance Abuse and Trauma-Informed Care, and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
cait lee
Cait Lee currently serves as the Navigation Program Manager at Elevate NP, where she helps nonprofits across the 12-county region access and navigate essential capacity building resources and tools tailored to their specific needs.
A Mid Mon Valley native, Cait is an accomplished nonprofit strategist, community development practitioner, and systems thinker. Her dedication to fostering organizational resilience is deeply rooted in her education as a social worker (MSW, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work), which drives her focus on strategic change and community transformation. Cait also brings proven experience in resource development and grant strategy to her mission of achieving sustained community impact.
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Allison popieski
Allison has lived in Pittsburgh for about seven years and currently serves as the Director of Development and Head of Fundraising for Los Sabrosos Dance Company. With over 12 years of experience in arts education, accessibility, management, and community engagement, she brings a strong commitment to equity and creativity in community spaces. Allison has witnessed the growth of Artist Talk Mental Health under Sydney Davis’ leadership and deeply believes in both the mission and the founder’s vision. She is proud to support ATMH and considers it a game-changing organization.