91�㽶��Ƶ

91�㽶��Ƶ’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held on Jan. 30 with the focus on the importance of mental health advocacy and wellness.

The event, titled “The Dream of Wellness: Mental Health Advocacy Through the Lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Doors will open at 11:15 a.m.

The event will be a panel discussion that includes a free, ticketed luncheon. Tickets are available . The event also will be streamed on Boxcast. .

91�㽶��Ƶ President Todd Diacon and Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D., vice president for People, Culture and Belonging, will make remarks at the event.

Yvonna Washington-Greer, Ph.D., associate vice president of the Division of Student Life, is the emcee for the event.

Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D, professor in 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Department of Psychological Sciences, will moderate the panel discussion. Neal-Barnett is director of the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans. She is the author of “Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman’s Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear.”
Panelists for the event are:

Janice Johnson, a mental health therapist with 91�㽶��Ƶ’s Department of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Johnson is a licensed mental health and substance use therapist. She joined CAPS in 2022 as the BIPOC-focused (Black, Indigenous and People of Culture) mental health provider. In this role, she provides therapy services to students, focusing on preventative outreach programming to educate BIPOC students and the campus community.

Joshua Perkins, Ph.D., is associate vice president and dean of students in the Division of Student Life. He has worked in higher education for 19 years serving students in academic and student affairs roles, including as director of 91�㽶��Ƶ’s CARES Center.

Alumnus , director of education and employment at Rocket Community Fund and 2015 graduate of 91�㽶��Ƶ, has extensive experience in leadership roles at youth-centered nonprofit organizations in the Midwest.

To attend the MLK Jr. Celebration .