Tim Hinton

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Tim Hinton

Psychology major Tim Hinton created the Black Wellness Alliance, an Ohio State student organization that provides a support system for African American students.
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Psychology major Tim Hinton created the Black Wellness Alliance, an Ohio State student organization that provides a support system for African American students.

Major: Psychology.

Scholarships: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Office of Diversity and Inclusion Corporate Connections Scholar, Dr. William F. Pickard Scholar, the John Parker and John Rankin Scholarship.

Next Step and Career Aspiration: Hinton will attend graduate school at Holy Names University in Oakland, California as he moves toward his career goal to work as a sports and performance psychologist.

Mentors: James Moore III, Dan Thomas and Ivory Levert were Hinton’s initial support system that sparked his drive toward a wellness initiative.

Lisa Miller, lecturer in Applied Sports Psychology and Positive Psychology, was a constant positive resource and helped Hinton develop his ideas.

“I chase mentorship because I love learning and receiving that wisdom. Mentorship kept me grounded in my purpose,” Hinton said.

Involvement: Volunteer and mentor within Ohio State’s and Columbus’ African American community. Wellness coach and a meditation and mindfulness facilitator for Ohio State. Bell National Resource Center (BNRC) ambassador, Scholars Lounge mentor and Leadership Institute member. BNRC Ubuntu Leadership Institute mentor. First Year Experience peer leader. On the development committee of Business Scholars Program.

Organization Creator: In 2020, Hinton launched two organizations: Black Humanities at Ohio State and the Black Wellness Initiative. Both programs are under the umbrella organization RISE (Radiant, Influential, Sincere, Empowered): The Black Wellness Alliance.

“Black Humanities focuses on enhancing the emotional intelligence within the African American community and delivering professional workshops and networking opportunities to Black students on all the campuses,” Hinton said. “The Black Wellness Initiative focuses on four different aspects of health and delivering coaching for Black students on campus.”

A Passion for Mental Health: After struggling with his own mental health in high school, Hinton arrived at Ohio State and found support through the Bell National Resource Center. He began a yoga class that “changed the trajectory” of his life, bringing clarity and relief through introspection. He also switched majors to psychology and began serving in many organizations.

Hinton started to create the Black Wellness Alliance. When the pandemic hit, he launched it.

“It’s important for everyone to have a space where they can discuss their deepest vulnerabilities and learn how to cope with and breakthrough everyday stressors,” he said. “COVID sparked my fire to make sure everyone had that support system.”

During summer 2020, he mentored (via Zoom) high school boys in the Columbus City Schools system through the Ubuntu Leadership Institute.

“A lot of Black high school students have very difficult backgrounds,” Hinton said. “Showing them that they can rise above the limitations people have placed on them is extremely important.”

Final Thoughts: “It’s been a phenomenal journey. It’s been rewarding to see the growth that our members felt and to be able to witness the confidence they develop in dealing with life and everything that comes with it. It’s just amazing, and I cannot wait to see our organization in coming years, supporting and uplifting our Black Community here at Ohio State.”