Habeebah Grimes

Serving the community’s most vulnerable children has been Grimes’ life’s work. Afterwatching her brother struggle with mental illness for much of his life, Grimes devoted herself to helping others like him and her mom, by helping to provide clinical services to a broad spectrum of youth in need. She first joined Positive Education Program in 1999 as a one-on-one aide. After earning her master’s in clinical psychology and a specialization in school psychology from Cleveland State University, Grimes returned to PEP as a clinical supervisor for one of its day treatment centers.

After being promoted to the chief clinical officer role in 2015, Grimes led PEP’s embrace and ultimate certification in evidence-based, trauma-informed practices, working closely with The ChildTrauma Academy. She is a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders Program.

In 2015, Crain’s Cleveland Business recognized Grimes as a 40 under 40 honoree. Grimes currently serves as a mentor for multiple organizations and collaborative ventures, including as the co-chair of Say Yes to Cleveland Integrated Health Task Force; an advisor for Empowering Youth, Exploring Justice; vice chair of the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition Northeast Steering Committee; and as a member of the Cuyahoga County Citizens Advisory Council on Equity.