By Jeroslyn JoVonn via Black Enterprise
Nina Westbrook exuded style and grace at the Why Not? Foundation’s third annual Mental Health and Wellness Brunch.
Held March 20 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Westbrook joined a distinguished panel of entrepreneurs, tastemakers, influencers, and industry leaders to explore the versatility of today’s leading women. The panel featured fashion designer and Footlocker Women’s Creative Director Melody Ehsani, Blackbird House Founder and CEO Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, actress Ryan Michelle Bathe, and wellness expert Dr. Jenelle Kim, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. They explored business growth, cultural influence, and wellness while raising funds to support the Why Not? Foundation’s focus on underserved and underrepresented communities in Los Angeles County.
The elegance was effortless as Nina led the empowering brunch in a brown blazer with rolled-up sleeves, an ivory satin skirt, and brown embellished pumps. Her freshly styled blowout framed her face as a gentle breeze from the outdoor wellness marketplace swept by. Meanwhile, her husband, Russell Westbrook, was up bright and early—despite playing a game against the Los Angeles Lakers the night before—to join their three children in cheering on Mommy ahead of her big event.
The Westbrook kids—son Noah and twin daughters Skye and Jordyn—beamed with pride and joy as they presented their mom with a bouquet of flowers and wished her good luck. It was a heartwarming glimpse into the teamwork she and Russell cultivate at home and through their foundation.
Founded in 2012, the Why Not? Foundation takes its name from Russell’s signature mantra, “Why Not?” As a certified marriage and family therapist, Nina naturally infused her passion for mental health and wellness into the foundation’s mission.
“We’ve made it a huge pillar in our foundation to really focus on mental health awareness and providing resources and mental health services to our students, to our foundation, and also just creating and raising that awareness for all of our communities,” Nina tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
What began as an initiative to build reading rooms in schools quickly expanded to providing tech resources for students in need during the pandemic. Now, it has evolved into a partnership with the LA Promise Fund to operate Westbrook Academy—a school serving students in grades 6-12 from South and Southeast Los Angeles, empowering them to excel academically, artistically, and athletically.
“Through our collaboration, we’ve been able to provide so many families with amazing opportunities for education, workforce development, and wraparound services,” Nina shared.
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On behalf of the Nina Westbrook, the Why Not? Foundation, and Bene By Nina, we would like to extend our gratitude for all of our sponsors this year. Wheat, Jordan Brand, Love and Mercy, Augustinus Bader, 38Tera, Relevant, Dr. Jenelle Kim, Happy, and Revived Solutions
