Samantha L. Chatman-Saul, MBA is a remarkable individual who wears multiple hats, demonstrating extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Samantha is not only the Founder and CEO of Verde’s Cry, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and grief recovery, but she is also a certified Mental Health Peer Specialist. Her journey into the world of mental health advocacy and education is profoundly personal, born out of the tragic loss of her son to suicide, but has sparked a deep-seated commitment to guiding and supporting families who have gone through a similar lived experience. Additionally, Samantha is a domestic abuse survivor and mentor, further underscoring her indomitable spirit.

In addition to her work in the field of mental health, Samantha has enjoyed a nearly thirty-year career in aviation and mentorship. Her impressive academic accomplishments shine through her credentials, including the attainment of a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), with supporting credentials in political science, negotiation, real estate, life insurance, and her ongoing pursuit of a dual Master’s degree in Social Work and Mental Health at the University of Texas Arlington. Samantha’s academic journey is further enriched by her Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration and her Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies.

Samantha’s commitment to her community is further exemplified by her involvement in various organizations, including the Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Tarrant County, where she serves on the Board of Directors, American Airlines Professional Black Network. She is also a member of the Texas Youth Action Network Coalition, an initiative of Texas A&M University, and the 2023-2024 Grand Marshall of The Culinary Queens and Kings of New Orleans. In recent years, Samantha was even recognized as a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, acknowledging her community engagement, service, and leadership in nonprofit management.

Despite enduring the heart-wrenching loss of a son to suicide, Samantha finds solace and strength in her spose Marcus, three surviving children and five beloved grandchildren, Cory, Caydon, Tajh, Celisse and Tilwen, (Tre’) III. To add to Samantha’s successes and aspirations are her children, her daughter Tia, who is a thriving entrepreneur and hair stylist daughter; her daughter Camryn, who has pursued a degree in Criminal Justice, degree from Sam Houston University and currently serves as a Houston Police Officer, with future aspirations to become an FBI agent; and her son, Marcus, Jr., a college Sophomore, who aspires to become an airline pilot.