NERDS RULE INC's. Mental Health Campaign Topic: Hurt, Blame, Shame Judi Paterson shares her experience of losing a son to gun violence, healing, and providing resources and trainings while working at Mental Health America. (Gun Violence/ A Mother's Love)

Ms. Patterson has worked tirelessly for the unserved and underserved populations of San Diego County for over three decades. As the only Outreach Coordinator for Second Chance/STRIVE work readiness training program Ms. Patterson was successful for touching the lives of over thirty-seven thousand (37,000) male, female and at risk youth behind the walls of several jails, prisons and detention facilities throughout the State of California.

In February 2015 Ms. Patterson was recruited and joined ranks with Mental Health America of San Diego County where she currently serves as the African American Outreach Coordinator. The Mental Health First Aid program is in alignment with increasing access to mental health services for individuals struggling with mental health issues, and is endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

In 2018 Ms. Patterson received the BLACK 2 POSITION Kuumba Kujichagulia (Self Determination) Award and was the recipient NAACP's Community Service Award in 2015. The joy in her life are her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ms. Patterson's homeland is Venice, CA - she attended UCLA and graduated LEAD San Diego's Master's Program. Her favorite affirmation “God's Grace Is Sufficient.”