Our Executive Director and Co-founder T-Kea Blackman, MPS, CPRS, and Board President Brittany K. Lewis-Fooks, LGPC, lead a workshop on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Youth Summit held at Largo High School, leading a captivating workshop focused on self-care with a twist of pop culture. This engaging event, hosted by the Prince George’s County Sheriff Office and Prince George’s County Public Schools, targeted middle school students, emphasizing the importance of mental health and wellness. The workshop creatively intertwined elements of popular culture to make the discussion relatable and enjoyable, ensuring the students were not only attentive but also thoroughly engaged.
The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their enthusiasm and reluctance to leave. One student poignantly remarked, “This is just what I needed,” highlighting the immediate impact and relevance of the session. The workshop’s interactive format, blending educational content with familiar cultural references, resonated deeply with the young audience, making complex topics accessible and understandable. The success of this event underscores the necessity of such initiatives in fostering a supportive environment for youth to openly discuss and prioritize their mental well-being.
For our organization, this workshop represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to expand programming aimed at addressing the mental health needs of Black students. By focusing on wellness and suicide prevention, we are dedicated to creating safe spaces where young individuals can seek support and resources. The Youth Summit at Largo High School was a testament to the power of innovative and inclusive approaches in mental health education, and we look forward to continuing our mission to empower and uplift the youth in our community.
