The Board · Music Heals Minds

The Board

Stewards of a Promise

Music Heals Minds was founded by Hannah Laham, a Nashville singer-songwriter, and Mary Belle Jones, the mother of her close friend Julius Cole. Together they brought his songs and his story into an organization that places music in the hands of people living with mental illness. Hannah's mother Kelly Laham serves as Executive Director, with Anka Roberto and Kathie Hogg on the board.

Photo arriving soon.

Founder

Hannah Lahamperforms as Hannah Kol

Bio pending Hannah's own statement. Hannah is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and the founder of Music Heals Minds. She is Julius Cole's close friend, and her 2018 recording of Sunny Day brought six of his unfinished songs to a wider audience. The album's October release party became the moment Music Heals Minds was introduced to the community. Hannah continues to lead the organization's vision, carrying her best friend's music and story into the work that places music in the hands of people living with mental illness.

Co-Founder, Secretary/Treasurer

Mary Belle Jones

Mary Belle Jones has called Wilmington, North Carolina home since 1992. A devoted mother, she is proud of her sons, Creed Rassin and the late Julius Cole Rassin, whose memory continues to inspire her. Mary serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Music Heals Minds, where she is dedicated to supporting the organization's mission and helping make a meaningful impact through the power of music. Her commitment reflects both her organizational skills and her passion for giving back to the community.

Board Members

Executive Director

Kelly Laham

Hannah's mother and the organization's Executive Director. National board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner, classically trained pianist, and retired UNCW Assistant Professor who led the DNP and AGPCNP programs. Coordinates the day-to-day work of Music Heals Minds.

Board Member

Anka Roberto

PMHNP-BC and EMDR clinician at Holistic Healing PLLC. Associate Professor at UNCW, founded the Well-being and Resilience Collaborative, and has published on trauma and resilience for over a decade. Her family's recovery from the Sandy Hook School tragedy shaped her commitment to music and the arts as a healing practice.

Board Member

Kathie Hogg

Realtor in Richmond, Virginia, and mother of six grown children. A native Virginian with a BS in Chemistry from Virginia Tech, and a first-chair clarinetist in high school who qualified for regional and state concert performances. Kathie joined the board through the same instinct that raised a working musician, her daughter Mandy Rose. Music Heals Minds aligns with her love of serving the people she cares about.

Join the board

Music Heals Minds is growing.

We're particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in finance, law, or music therapy who want to help us reach more families.

Reach out about board service

Or write to us directly at contact@musichealsminds.org.