WS Chronicle

More details have been released about the 2025 Black Mental Health Summit, including keynote speakers, panelists and more.  

The Black Mental Health Summit (BMHS) is hosted by Reset and Heal, a local mental health consulting firm. The goal of the event is to de-stigmatize mental illness, increase access to care, and improve wellness in the Black community. The first BMHS was held in 2024 and was an instant hit. Hundreds of people from across the state came together for the day of education and healing.  

Alexia Mitchell, owner Reset and Heal, said oftentimes in the Black community it’s taught to not be open or honest about mental health, and the summit is about providing a space where you’re encouraged to be open and honest about your emotions, and have the opportunity to ask questions. 

“Oftentimes we are taught to just fight through it,” Mitchell continued. “We haven’t given ourselves permission to not be okay … I felt like we needed a space where we feel seen and heard by people who look like us.” 

Keynote speakers for the 2025 Black Mental Health Summit are Candice Benbow, Dr. Jack Monell, and Alexis Overstreet.  

Benbow is a multi-hyphenate theologian, creative, and the author of “Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls Who’ve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning Isn’t Enough.” 

Dr. Monell is a distinguished academic and practitioner with over 31 years of experience in social work, criminal justice, sociology and human services. He currently serves as a professor of justice studies at Winston-Salem State University. 

Overstreet is CEO of Metaspace Counseling & Metaspace Wellness, where she’s redefining what it means to heal, lead and thrive. A licensed clinical social worker, she partners with school districts and corporations to combat burnout and boost retention. 

The panel discussions at the summit will bring together varying opinions for open discussions on issues facing the Black community.  

The “Black to Work” panel will explore the challenges faced by Black professionals in the workplace. Panelists will include Bryant C. Foster, Johnette Walser, Dr. Keisha G. Rogers, Dr. Malika Isler, and Dr. Marquis Barnett. Dr. April Ruffin Adams will serve as the moderator.  

The second panel, titled “Young, Thriving and Black,” will focus on how young Black people are redefining success, breaking barriers, and creating spaces where they can thrive. Panelists include Dr. Brandon L. Lowe, Nicole Moore-Geter, Rashawn Meekins, Maddie Hanes, and Khristian Mitchell. The conversation will be moderated by Keisha Horton.   

In addition to the speakers and panelists, the full schedule of events has also been released. The 2025 Black Mental Health Summit will be held May 2 at the Novant Conference Center. For more information about the 2025 Black Mental Health Summit, visit www.resetandhealnc.com.