Nneka Jones Tapia, PsyD, is an extraordinary clinical psychologist, passionate about mental wellness, criminal justice reform and supporting young people who have experienced trauma. A native of Greenville, North Carolina, Tapia created a remarkable legacy in Chicago with her innovative programs for detainees and their families at the Cook County Jail. When named Chief Warden of the Jail, often dubbed “the country’s largest mental health facility,” Tapia spearheaded bold strategies to promote wellness and reduce recidivism. In the community, she works to reverse social inequities by creating programs for youth in restorative justice, and social, emotional and academic learning. Tapia resonates with individuals who struggle because of her own early experience of being separated from her incarcerated father. Tapia is a prominent speaker on the national stage.
For her brilliant, innovative leadership, broad, clear vision, and nationwide advocacy, on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our society, I, Rosie Phillips Davis, present this presidential citation to Nneka Jones Tapia.