Personal Statement from the Executive Director:

As an African American Muslim woman of African and European descent, I carry the legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and progress. I am a descendant of enslaved ancestors from South Carolina who migrated to Washington, D.C., before the Civil Rights Act of 1965—ancestors whose strength lives on in every step I take toward justice, healing, and transformation. My life’s direction was forever changed through my study of Islam in the Middle East, where I came to understand the depth, beauty, and purpose of our faith. That knowledge awakened a deeper mission in me: to serve communities through the advancement of Islamic psychology and the reform of healthcare systems that too often neglect the emotional, spiritual, and cultural realities of those they claim to serve.

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Maryam Tree Center was born out of that vision. As a federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, our center stands as a bridge between traditional psychological science and the timeless insights of Islamic psychology. We are committed to building a more just and compassionate healthcare system—one that recognizes the whole person, honors cultural identity, and delivers care that is both effective and spiritually aligned. We believe that healing must include not only the mind and body, but also the soul.

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Our mission is to drive systemic change through research, education, and advocacy—raising awareness of healthcare inequities, promoting faith-informed mental health support, and empowering the most vulnerable among us to access the care they deserve. At Maryam Tree Center, we are planting the seeds of a better future, where Islamic psychology is recognized and respected within mainstream institutions, and where underserved communities are no longer left behind.

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This work is deeply personal. It is dedicated to my beloved Aunt Carol Corbett, who fought tirelessly in her battle with cancer. To my mother, Angenette, a breast cancer survivor whose strength continues to inspire me. To my father, a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander and former Chief Medical Officer of Chicago Naval Medical Center. To my grandfather, a Washington D.C. businessman and Charleston cement truck driver. To my great-grandfather, Oliver Massey, who lived in Ardmore Ward 1 during the time of the Black Wall Street Massacre. To all my ancestors from South Carolina, whose faith and fortitude have shaped my path. And to my paternal grandmother, Dorothy Crump, whose legacy continues through every effort I make.

May this work bring benefit to many and be accepted as a small contribution toward justice, healing, and knowledge.

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Sincerely,
Darya Bailey, BCHHP
Executive Director, Maryam Tree Center