NILES, Ohio – Coleman Health Services will mark the fifth anniversary of its Unmute the Uncomfortable symposium series with a May 7 event at the Eastwood Event Centre.
This year’s program, The Human Algorithm: Connection in Crisis, will examine how the human experience intersects with the digital world, including chatbot therapists, invisible bias, socially responsible artificial intelligence, the relationship between mental health and social media and potential policy solutions.
Former WNBA player and poet Imani McGee-Stafford will deliver the keynote address, sharing her lived experience and advocacy for mental health while emphasizing the importance of connection and community.
In past years the daylong symposium has drawn several hundred attendees from behavioral health and health care, local justice systems, education and nonprofit organizations and community groups and students from Youngstown State University, Kent State University and the University of Akron. Coleman Health Services is presenting the event in partnership with the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board.
“It is important to provide a space where we can learn and discuss as a community those issues that may be uncomfortable but are relevant to our mental health and our lives,” said Yvette Clemons, Trumbull/Mahoning chief officer at Coleman Health Services. “This symposium enables us to highlight some emerging technology trends and delve into how AI can be used responsibly and what safeguards or policies can be put in place.”
Judge Carla Baldwin will once again moderate the event. Randal Pinkett is also returning this year. His company, BCT Partners, a research, training, consulting, technology and data analytics firm, recently drafted a white paper on the environmental impact of data centers. The company has also researched AI in its mission to leverage insights and innovation to transform lives and create change. Other experts in the field who will speak include Stevie Chancellor of the University of Minnesota and Zainab Okolo of the JED Foundation in Washington, D.C.
“Because of the generosity of our sponsors, we are able to bring these thought-provoking speakers to the Mahoning Valley while offering free tickets to college students,” said Stacia Erdos, regional development executive at Coleman Health Services. “Any proceeds go to serve our low-income clients with serious mental health issues in the Mahoning Valley.”
The cost for the event is $100, which includes breakfast and lunch. A resource fair with community providers will be held in conjunction with the event, and 5.25 continuing education credits are pending for a number of professions, including social workers and counselors, school counselors and nurses.
Sponsorships, which include tickets to a meet and greet with the speakers, are available.
For sponsorship opportunities and to register, click HERE. For more information, email Erdos at stacia.erdos@colemanservices.org.
JCL Development donated $500,000 to the New Wilmington college to establish the Economic Development Fellowship Program and is seeking to acquire Penn State University’s Shenango campus for potential use by the college.