Juneteenth: Creative Change Counseling’s Celebration Highlights Commitment to Community, Mental Health
Image of Creative Change Counseling co-founders Kahreem Cunningham and Dr. Bertee Thomas Jr. courtesy of Creative Change Counseling.
DELRAN — For Dr. Bertee Thomas Jr. and Kahreem Cunningham, Creative Change Counseling Inc., or CCC, represents far more than a business venture but a calling to restore human life and serve communities that have been forgotten or left behind.
What began 12 years ago as a modest nonprofit founded by four visionary African American men who once would hold their meetings at the Wegmans Food court in Mount Laurel, has evolved into a comprehensive mental health and behavioral healthcare organization serving communities across New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and Texas, with planned expansion into Maryland.
“This business has been gifted to me as a means to fulfill my purpose during this lifetime,” said Thomas, the organization’s founder and CEO. “It’s not the brick, nor the mortar that I consider my business. It’s not the money, the glory, or any measure of fame. My true business is the restoration of human life.”
Operating from their headquarters at 950 South Chester Avenue in Delran, CCC offers an extensive range of integrated mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, intensive in-community, behavioral support services, restorative youth justice programming, therapy, and innovative therapeutic recreation programs.
Their unique approach includes specialized facilities like We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym and The Spot Teen Development Centers in Mount Laurel and Hamilton.
“We started a nonprofit organization to be able to reach private and possible government funding along with being able to hire certain people that a for-profit organization would not be able to,” said Cunningham, the organization’s co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO). “This has helped us employ more people and help more people.”
The organization’s comprehensive services extend beyond traditional therapy settings, with their dedicated team providing support in offices, clients’ homes, schools, and community environments. They develop personalized treatment plans that foster long-term wellness and recovery, from their restorative justice program at The HUB in Trenton to specialized services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Living out their core value of philanthropy, CCC made a significant impact in 2024 by awarding five $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors and first-year college students. This year, they’re doubling their commitment, planning to distribute ten scholarships to students across New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and Texas.
“Some of our proudest moments are seeing people promoted or starting their own business,” Cunningham noted, highlighting the organization’s broader impact on community empowerment.
CCC’s commitment to community building will be on full display during their upcoming Juneteenth Community Festival on June 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free celebration will take place at The Spot Teen Success Center, located at 3111 NJ-38, Unit 18, in Mount Laurel. The festival promises a day of festivities honoring this important historical milestone, featuring vendors, games, live performances, and music that celebrate African American heritage and community unity.
With $40 vendor spots available, the event also provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs and community organizations to connect with residents.
“We enjoy being there for the community and helping people and just being able to provide safe spaces for the people that may feel like they have been forgotten or left out,” Cunningham explained, describing the festival as an extension of CCC’s mission to build inclusive community spaces.
For both founders, their success as African American business leaders carries special significance in inspiring the next generation.
“Being an African American, you already have a lot of things stacked against you, but we never use that as a crutch,” Cunningham said. “We look at it as an opportunity to do positive and show positive to our people and not only show but also be able to help as well.”
Thomas views his role as a business owner through the lens of his personal journey.
“My life experiences as an underdog has been the driving force for me in wanting [to help] those who are less likely to succeed based on limitations, circumstance, socio-economic and environmental factors, and other disparities that have plagued our communities beyond our control,” Thomas said.
He believes positive African American role models in business are “critical for instilling hope and exposing unlimited possibilities that yield from self-determination and confidence, hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.”
What sets CCC apart is the founders’ perspective that their work transcends traditional business operations.
“This is an assignment from the Man above and we are just blessed to be able to carry out his mission and purpose through us,” Cunningham reflected. “This is not work to us—this is our lifestyle.”
Thomas echoed this sentiment, stating, “The best part of being a business owner for me is not just watching the business grow but watching the individuals within the business grow. Owning a business has allowed me to touch so many lives in a positive way.”
As CCC continues expanding its reach and impact, the organization remains true to its foundational mission: “Inspiring Hope and Changing Lives, One Family at a Time.”
With their upcoming Juneteenth celebration serving as both a community gathering and a testament to their values, Creative Change Counseling continues to demonstrate that successful business can be a powerful force for positive social change.
For referrals, call (609) 667-7353 or email referrals@creativechangeinc.org. Media inquiries can be directed to Shelja Touri, Community Outreach Coordinator, at (609) 667-7353 ext. 105 or hello@creativechangeinc.org.
For Juneteenth festival vendor information, contact marketing@creativechangeinc.org or text 856-593-8275. Follow them on social media @creativechangecounseling.
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