You may have heard phrases like, "Pray it away", "Men don't cry," or "Al tiempo mal, buena cara." For those of us in the Black/African Ancestry or Spanish-speaking community, being open about how we’re really doing can be a struggle. There are stereotypes to overcome; pressures to be excellent; fears of being perceived as vulnerable or spiritually weak.

Join us for lunch as we challenge these norms in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! Together, we'll share resources, gather over good food, and hear from mental health expert Cicely Franklin, who has 30 plus years of Public Health, Human Services and Community Health Education and Engagement experience, life skills and education.

Bebe Moore Campbell was a literary trailblazer, who used her words in books including, “The 72-Hour Hold” and “Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,” to address the profound impact of racism, mental health and the enduring strength of culture, community and connections.

She co-founded NAMI Urban Los Angeles and became a national change agent whose groundbreaking work revolutionized the way we approach mental health in underserved communities. She recognized and understood the detrimental consequences of silence rooted in stigma — one of the reasons for the lack of mental health care and treatment within communities of color.Campbell fearlessly challenged the status quo, shedding light on the unique struggles faced by people of color and advocating for their voices to be heard. Her firsthand experience underscored the need for safe spaces for people in communities of color to share their stories and experiences without shame or judgement. She advocated for spaces of hope and healing where the unheard and untreated could find inclusive and equitable resources for support and mental health care.

Please register today for free so we know how much food to order!

Minority Mental Health Lunch & Learn: Bebe Moore Campbell Awareness Month