About Dior

Hello! My name is Dior Vargas, and I am a Queer Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist. I'm a native New Yorker and I grew up in Spanish Harlem. I've identified as an activist since I was in high school.

I covered issues like body image, reproductive rights, and domestic violence but in 2013, I decided to focus on mental health. For the past several years, I've been able to connect with hundreds of people and learn about their experiences. It's been so meaningful. I'm excited to work with you!

 
A light-skinned Latina with long dark brown hair wearing a dark blue tank top. She is smiling and looking into the camera. There is a caption saying: I was meant to share my story and to start these conversations.
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My Why

My mental health advocacy and DEI work is informed by my personal lived experiences and driven by a passion to show the QTBIPOC community that we can thrive despite our struggles.

I bring warmth, humanity, and vulnerability to a world that’s filled with large establishments that tend to adopt a cookie-cutter approach.

My Credentials

A screenshot of an article from City & State New York titled “The Mental Health Power 50”. Dior Vargas is listed as number 49.
 

Education

  • M.P.H. in Policy and Management, New York University

  • M.S. in Publishing, Pace University

  • B.A. in the Study of Women and Gender, Smith College

Awards

  • 2022 Mental Health Equity Journey Award, NYS Office of Mental Health

  • 2021 Mental Health Power 50 Listee, City & State NY

  • 2020 D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree, Diversability

  • 2019 Public Health Social Justice Award, New York University

  • 2019 President's Service Award, New York University

  • 2017 Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Inductee, National Disability Mentoring Coalition

  • 2015 Cookie Gant and Bill Compton LGBT Leadership Award, Alternatives Conference

  • 2015 Voices of the Year Honoree for Impact, BlogHer Conference

  • 2015 Champion of Change for Disability Advocacy Across Generations, Obama White House

Other Professional Experiences

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida Muma College of Business

  • QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructor, QPR Institute

  • Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) Certificate, The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

  • NGen Online Learning Cohort Member, American Express

  • Progressive Women’s Voices Participant, Women’s Media Center

  • Out in Front NY Participant, Stonewall Community Foundation

The People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project

 

I launched this photo project in 2014 to highlight the lack of media representations of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) living with mental illness. When looking online, I noticed that the images only depicted one demographic, and I realized that stigma in my family prevented me from feeling understood.

The lack of seeing people who looked like my community and me impacted my experience well. Many BIPOC families believe that mental illness is a "white person's disease" and that only privileged people have the time to go to therapy. In response, this online self-portrait gallery shows that not one group lives with these conditions and that it is an issue that impacts every community.

The Color of My Mind: Mental Health Narratives from People of Color (English/Spanish)

The Color Of My Mind is a photo essay based on the viral online photo series entitled the "People Of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project" launched in September 2014 by Dior Vargas.

The project started as a result of noticing an unfortunate trend in the homogenization and misrepresentation of mental health conditions and the people affected by them.

Now, this photo essay seeks to highlight the diversity in the mental health community. The Color Of My Mind visually depicts the experiences of 34 individuals as they discuss their struggles, strengths, and lessons learned while living life as a person of color with a mental illness.

We encourage you to shop and support local bookstores. But you can also buy a copy at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

A black and white book with photos and different colored highlighted words The Color of My Mind Mental Health Narratives of People of Color Dior Vargas.

 Services

Light-skinned Latina with short blondish hair wearing glasses and a black blazer. She is holding a microphone and her arms are crossed.

Keynotes & Panels

Speaking engagements to share my personal story, actionable lessons, and enable honest conversation

An audience in a classroom taking notes. On the projector screen in the back of the room is Dior hosting a workshop.

Workshops

Lead workshops for universities on strategies for QTBIPOC students to advocate for themselves

A woman wearing a gray sweater sitting at a white table with a paper pad in front of her. There is a cup of coffee on the table.

Corporate Training

Work with employees on DEI strategies and ways to advocate for their mental wellness to thrive professionally and personally