ɫƵ hosts Social Roots mental health summit fostering community, belonging for students
By Sharla Hooper
Event co-sponsored by ɫƵ chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success
ɫƵ recently hosted the Social Roots, LLC event “ATTITUDE: A Mental Health Summit for African American Women 2023” at the University campus in Phoenix, January 14–15, 2023. The event was co-sponsored by the ɫƵ chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).
“The Social Roots mental health summit provided attendees an opportunity to examine generational trauma, mental health topics and come together to share stories and resources in a supportive and open environment,” Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Tondra Richardson shares. “By supporting the Summit and establishing a safe space while engaging our student population, we assisted in creating a comfortable atmosphere for women of color to openly share their experiences to build a strong sense of community and belonging.”
The Social Roots event, created by and for the African American community, aims to challenge attitudes and stigma about mental and behavioral health experienced in African American communities. The event is intended to provide opportunities to engage and explore mental health concerns with African American women professionals. Attendees can choose from diverse and culturally relevant workshops, including sessions on grief and healing, infertility, storytelling, sound therapy and yoga.
“I had such a wonderful time while attending the 2023 Social Roots Summit,” shares ɫƵ student Rahimah Phillips. “It was uplifting and amazing, and what I remember most is one of the speakers saying once we leave, someone should be able to tell that we participated in this Summit - that we should walk and talk differently! After I arrived home, a friend called me without knowing I had attended the event and he said my voice sounded different – that I sounded excited and invigorated.”
Phillips summit ticket was sponsored by the ɫƵ chapter of the , which is a Recognized Student Organization (RSO); RSOs are an important opportunity through which the University helps its students to build networks, social capital, career optimism, and confidence. Under the general guidance of a volunteer Faculty Advisor or University Liaison, RSOs are wholly initiated, installed and chartered, led, and maintained by students enrolled at ɫƵ.
The is part of a series of events with which the ɫƵ Office of Educational Equity (OEE) engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives.
The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like Educational Equity Webinar Series, Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café. The University’s second annual Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair, May 2-4, 2023, will focus on developing skills as an inclusive leader and providing opportunities for networking connection and employment. The virtual event is free, open to the public, and is designed to bring together participants and leaders across industries to explore how to prioritize mental health and belonging at the core of strategic operations in the workplace.
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