Time: 10 - 11:15am PT (view your time zone)
Third Wednesday of Each Month
In recent weeks, the persistence of pervasiveness of racism has exploded into public attention. As professionals working with diverse youth and young adults, it is imperative to address racism and other practices that harm or prevent young people from reaching their full potential. This month's conversation will focus on how racism impacts us, the youth we work with, and what commitments we can make to create a more just and equitable mental health system for the young people we serve. Guest speakers Thomas Howell Hudson and Taylor Blanco will explore their own experiences of oppression and privilege, and how they incorporate self-care during periods of heightened stress.
Taylor Blanco is the Youth Program supervisor for South Florida Wellness Network and helps facilitate the youth-led chapter, Youth MOVE Broward. She is a community organizer, a voice for youth on a local and national level, and involved in various planning committees for youth conferences and summits. She facilitates a variety of creative workshops and trainings such as Dancing Mindfulness, WRAP, and Mental Health First Aid. Through overcoming her own mental health challenges, she has been able to find alternative forms of healing such as yoga, art, and being part of a positive recovery community. She is passionate about being of service to others and helping them find whatever works for them on their own journey.
Thomas Hudson (They/Them) is a national social justice activist who currently serves as the head of Strategic Initiatives at the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation. Over the past 10 years, Thomas has worked as an independent consultant and served as the LGBTQ+ policy associate at the Biden Foundation. Thomas managed a national public education and storytelling campaign “As You Are”; facilitated youth roundtables centering the experiences of young people with intersectional identities; and provided TA and research support to other national youth-serving organizations working to implement LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity into their programs, policies, and practices. Thomas also served as a Congressional Intern for Congresswoman Karen Bass. Thomas continues to use their personal experience and knowledge to educate and ignite change for all youth.
