Local Organizations to Host Community Conversation Series about the Impact Police Violence has on the Mental Health of the Black Community

Cleveland, Ohio — Beginning March 2023, a collaboration of community organizations including Black Lives Matter Cleveland, The Angelo Miller Foundation, the Cleveland Community Police Commission, ADAMHS Board, Spread the Love Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, and the Woodruff Foundation, along with several other community organizations will host a series of community conversations about the impact police violence has on the mental health of the Black community in Cleveland.

Conversations in this four part series will be held in March, April, May, and July, 2023. Each will be facilitated by mental health professionals and community leaders and will focus on the experiences had by Black women, Black men, and Black youth.

Information gained through conversations about attendees’ lived experiences will be used to help build trauma informed police policy and training in Cleveland. Attendees will also learn about available therapies and mental health agencies to help reduce the effects of over policing and trauma caused by negative encounters with police.

Akron University researchers will be in attendance for all conversations to conduct a long-term study and analysis of data collected from these conversations. The resulting evaluation report will establish actual Cleveland experiences that contribute towards achieving data driven policing in Cleveland. The report will be presented to the Mayor, Safety Director and City Council. This published report is intended to impact practices and policies on a wider scale. All are welcome to participate in this important dialogue.

Conversation Series Details

Conversation 1
You Are My Sister: Black Women’s Conversation
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Towards Employment – 3301 St Clair Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
Featured Speaker: Billie Gilliam, Director of Clinical Services YWCA Greater Cleveland
Register: bit.ly/PVW23

Conversation 2
Real Men Real Talk: Black Men’s Conversation
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: The Alpha Education & Leadership Development Center – 2820 East 116th Street Cleveland, OH 44120
Featured Speakers: Eric King – President, Mental & Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio, and Dorian Mahulawde – Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental & Emotional Wellness Centers of Ohio
Register: bit.ly/PVM23

Conversation 3
For our Future: Black Youths Conversation
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm
Location: Tri-C Metropolitan Campus – 2900 Community College Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115
Featured Speakers: Walter Patton, creator of Ghetto Therapy, and Chief Clayton Harris, Tri-C Police Department
Register: bit.ly/PVY23

Conversation 4
The Conversation: Larger, Concluding Conversation
Date: Friday, July 28, 2023
Time: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Location: TBD
Registration link available soon