Professional Development Symposium

Racial Equity, Shattering the Stigma, and Reshaping our Community

A community-wide event to promote change in Summit, Portage and Stark Counties through education and awareness focusing on racial equity, access and barriers to services, and the stigma associated with mental health treatment.

Thursday May 9, 2024
7:45 – 4:00 (doors open at 7am for Registration, Breakfast, Resource Fair)
House Three Thirty
532 West Market St., Akron, OH 44303-1839

SUMMIT, PORTAGE AND STARK COUNTIES

Registration Sponsor

Connect. Learn. Grow.

Join mental health and medical professionals, first responders, social services providers, educators and community advocates committed to addressing the issues of racial equity, and the mental health crisis in our community.

Lamar OdomA Life of Triumph and Resilience

Lamar Joseph Odom, born on November 6, 1979, in Queens, New York, is a former professional basketball player whose life story is marked by remarkable highs and daunting lows. Standing at 6’10” with a versatile skill set, Odom made a name for himself in the NBA, but his journey extends far beyond the basketball court.

Raised in a challenging environment, Lamar Odom’s childhood was far from easy, losing his mother Cathy Mercer to colon cancer at age 12 years old. Despite facing early adversities, he exhibited a natural talent for basketball that led him to become one of the most sought-after high school recruits in the nation. After a standout season at the University of Rhode Island, Odom declared for the NBA Draft.

In 1999, Lamar Odom was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, launching his professional basketball career. He played for several NBA teams, including the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 and was made 6th Man of The Year.

However, Odom’s life off the court was tumultuous. He battled substance abuse issues and personal tragedies, including the loss of his son, Jayden. Despite these challenges, Odom’s resilience and determination were evident. He sought help for his addiction and embarked on a path to recovery.

In addition to his basketball career, Lamar Odom ventured into the world of reality television, gaining further notoriety through his marriage to Khloé Kardashian and appearances on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Khloe & Lamar”. Lamar stayed in the limelight appearing on Dancing With The Stars, Celebrity Big Brother and College Hill.

Today, Lamar Odom’s story serves as an inspiration to many. His openness about his struggles with addiction and his journey to recovery have raised awareness about mental health issues in professional sports.

Odom’s legacy extends beyond the basketball court, reminding us all of the power of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

Agenda



7:00 - 8:00 - Registration/Resource Fair/Breakfast



8:00 - 8:30 - Welcome/Introductions

Judge Carla Baldwin
Moderator



8:30 - 9:30 - Reshaping our Community

Kemp Boyd



9:35 - 11:00 - Building Safe Visibility for Black Boys – Men’s Mental Health, Stigma Among Men, Suicide Prevention

LaToya Logan



11:00 to 11:15 - BREAK



11:20 - 12:15 - DEI: A Path from Me to You

Jon Paul Robles



12:20 - 1:05 - LUNCH



1:10 - 2:10 - Spirituality: A Core Component of Culturally Specific Mental Health and Collective Community Care

Pastor Jeffrey Dennis
Dr. Ciara Dennis-Morgan



2:10 to 2:40 - BREAK



2:45 - 3:30 - Fireside Chat with Lamar Odom



3:30 to 3:45 - Closing Remarks

Judge Carla Baldwin

Sponsorship Levels

All proceeds will benefit Coleman Health Services in Summit, Portage and Stark counties.

$20,000

Title Sponsor
(one available)

Large logo on all promotional pieces including emails and social media

Opportunity to speak at beginning of program
Full-page ad in program
Prominent mention in all media press releases
Two tables for event (16 tickets)
Recognition by emcee
Sponsor company pens/notepads/other on all tables (provided by sponsor)
Eight tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

$18,000

Keynote Speaker Sponsor
(one available)

Large logo on all promotional pieces including emails and social media

Full-page ad in program
Prominent mention in all media press releases
Two tables for event (16 tickets)
Recognition by emcee
Sponsor company pens/notepads/other on all tables (provided by sponsor)
Eight tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

$12,500

Impact Maker – Speakers Sponsor
(number of speakers)

Inclusion of large logo on all promotional pieces, emails and social media
:30 video into lunch
Full-page ad in program
Mention in all media press releases
One table for the event (8 tickets)
Recognition by Emcee
Logo and link on event website
Six tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

$10,000

Inspiring Change Sponsor
(Lunch, Breakfast – Multiple Available)

Inclusion of medium logo on all promotional pieces, website, emails and social media
Full-page ad in program
Mention in all media press releases
One table for the event (8 tickets)
Three tickets to Meet and Greet
Recognition by Emcee
Six tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

Meet and Greet Sponsor

Crafty Steere

$5,000

Mental Health Associate Sponsor
(Multiple Available)

Inclusion of medium logo on all promotional pieces, website, and social media
Half-page ad in program
Mention in all media press releases
One table for the event (8 tickets)
Recognition by the Emcee
Two tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Resource Fair Sponsor

Coleman Foundation

State and Federal Communications

$2,000

Future Leaders Sponsor
(Multiple Available)

Half-page ad in program
Two tables for the event (16 tickets)
Recognition by Emcee
Logo on event website
Two tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

$1,500

Reform Advocate Sponsors
(Multiple Available)

Listed in the Event Program
One table for the event (8 tickets)
Listed on event website, social media

Media Sponsors – TV/Print
(Trade)

Inclusion of medium logo on all promotional pieces, emails and social media
Full-page ad in program
Mention in all media press releases
One table for the event
Recognition by Emcee
Logo on Resource bags for info and swag
Logo and link on event website and Facebook page
Two tickets to Meet and Greet with Lamar Odom

Ads and logos received after April 2nd are not guaranteed to be in the program

Be Part of This Important Conversation!

At Coleman Health Services, we provide accessible behavioral health, residential, employment and support services, regardless of one’s ability to pay.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and people like you, we can change countless lives in the communities we serve!

Become a Sponsor