Empowering Resilience and Advocacy
Our Mission
Better Not Bitter Society exists to foster healing, cultivate resilience, and build a deep sense of belonging within the community. Our mission is to inspire growth through shared strength and empower individuals to transform adversity into opportunity. Whether through support or participation, we strive to create a thriving space where every person feels seen, valued, and capable of flourishing.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or mental health challenges, is empowered to live authentically, and thrive. We aspire to create an inclusive community that normalizes conversations about mental health, dismantles stigma, and equips individuals with the tools and support to turn struggles into strength. Through connection, compassion, advocacy, and inclusion, we envision a future where choosing better over bitter is not just an aspiration but a shared reality for all.
Purpose
Annual Better Not Bitter Summit (BNB)
The Annual Better Not Bitter Summit is our flagship initiative, designed to address mental health challenges by fostering awareness, building meaningful community support, and creating authentic connections. This summit serves as a transformative gathering where individuals come together to heal, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. By prioritizing open dialogue, shared experiences, and expert-led discussions, we aim to dismantle stigma, promote resilience, and empower individuals to embrace their journey with strength and purpose. The impact of the summit extends beyond the event itself, planting the seeds for ongoing community engagement, advocacy, and long-term well-being.
Our Commitment to Mental Health & Community Support
As part of this commitment, we have designed impactful programs to uplift, educate, and connect participants:
The Ally Buddy Program
A structured allyship and peer-support initiative that pairs individuals with allies who provide guidance, encouragement, and shared lived experiences. This program fosters long-term community engagement, ensuring that participants have ongoing support beyond the summit.
The Masterclass Series
Our Masterclass Series offers a curated selection of expert-led sessions that dive deep into key areas such as mental health resilience, financial empowerment, legal literacy, and personal leadership. Rooted in our commitment to equity and inclusion, these transformative sessions provide participants with actionable strategies and insights to navigate personal and systemic challenges.
Designed to complement our broader initiatives—like BNB The Women’s Corner, BNB Men Talk Project, and BNB Youth Leadership Development the series equips individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities with the tools to grow, lead, and thrive.
Join the Movement
Whether engaging as a supporter, a participant, or an advocate, the Better Not Bitter Summit is a space where individuals can find strength, build resilience, and cultivate lasting growth. Together, we are fostering a culture of empowerment, healing, and progress.
How It Started ...
The Better Not Bitter mantra was born from Mariat Jibril’s lived experience one of resilience, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to transformation. Carrying not just her own challenges but also the weight of others on her shoulders, she recognized the deep need for a thriving environment where community members could come together, foster connections, heal, and rise above adversity.
Mariat’s journey was shaped by moments where bitterness could have been the easier path, yet she chose growth, hope, and empowerment instead. She understood that true healing and success come not from dwelling on hardships but from harnessing them as fuel for transformation. Inspired by this realization, she founded Better Not Bitter Society a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma of mental health, fostering belonging, and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive emotionally, socially, and economically.
This mantra is more than words; it’s a call to action. It represents a shared commitment to resilience, a refusal to be defined by struggles, and a collective effort to build a future where healing, connection, and success are accessible to all.
250+
BNB24 Summit Attendees
95%
Satisfaction rate from summit attendees
55.4%
Ally Buddy Registered Participants
