Meet Coach Dushawn Powell
Dushawn “Coach” Powell is a school social worker, community advocate, Marine Corps veteran, and doctoral candidate dedicated to improving access to and outcomes for mental health for underserved youth and families.
With decades of experience serving culturally diverse communities, Coach Powell has worked at the intersection of education, mental health, and community leadership. His work focuses on reducing stigma, strengthening family engagement, and empowering schools and communities to support youth wellness.
Coach Powell’s passion is deeply personal. His experiences growing up in underserved communities and witnessing mental health challenges within his own family shaped his commitment to service, dignity, and culturally responsive care.
Through SanaRaíz, he brings together research, lived experience, and community voice to create healing-centered spaces where youth and families feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Coach Powell
School social worker, speaker, and founder of SanaRaíz
His Mission
Coach Powell’s mission is to partner with schools in building sustainable, culturally responsive environments where students feel seen, supported, and equipped to succeed academically and socially.
He works alongside administrators, MTSS teams, and campus leaders to align programming with school improvement goals, behavior frameworks, and social-emotional priorities. Rather than offering one-time inspiration, his focus is on equipping school communities with shared language, practical strategies, and tools that strengthen belonging and improve climate over time.
Every engagement is designed to support not just students, but the adults who guide them — ensuring staff feel empowered, families feel included, and campuses move forward with clarity and cohesion.
