Victor Armstrong, MSW
Victor Armstrong serves National Director of Soul Shop for Black Churches, a national initiative to equip faith community leaders to minister to those impacted by suicide. Victor previously served as Chief Diversity Officer of RI International with responsibility for developing, creating, and implementing the Diversity Equity and Inclusion framework throughout the organization. Prior to this role Victor served as North Carolina DHHS Chief Health Equity Officer, with responsibility for leading the overarching strategy and operational goals to promote health equity, diversity, and inclusion across all the agency’s health and human services.
Victor originally joined NC DHHS as Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Services in March of 2020, with responsibility and oversight of the public community-based mental health, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, substance use, and traumatic brain injury system in North Carolina. Prior to accepting this role, Victor spent six years as Vice President of Behavioral Health with Atrium Health. Based in Charlotte. Victor has over 30 years of experience in human services, primarily dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to serve individuals who have been historically marginalized. He is a nationally recognized speaker on issues regarding health equity and access to healthcare, particularly as it relates to individuals living with mental health challenges.
Victor currently serves on the board of directors of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention- North Carolina and is the host of the “Strong Talk” podcast. He is a member of NC Institute of Medicine (NCIOM), and serves on the National Response Steering Committee for the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
Victor’s awards and recognitions include:
- Living Waters Annual Mental Health Summit 2022 “Lifetime Mental Health Champion” Award
- National Association of Social Workers North Carolina (NASW-NC) 2022 Social Worker of the Year
- Addiction Professionals of NC (APNC) 2021 DEI Leadership & Impact Award
- Mental Health America’s 2021 H. Keith Brunnemer, Jr. Award for “Outstanding Mental Health Leadership”
- Black Mental Health Symposium 2019 Mental Health Advocate of the Year
- Atrium Health 2019 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award
- East Carolina University School of Social Work 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award
- i2i Center for Integrative Health 2018 Innovation Award for “Whole Person Care”
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC, 2012 Mental Health Professional of the Year.
Victor graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and received a Master of Social Work (MSW) from East Carolina University. He is the husband of Dr. Charletta Armstrong and the father of 3 sons, Carter, Alonzo, and Victor Jr.
Victor is speaking during Developing A Talent Management Strategy For The Future.