Thursday, December 3, 2026
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Registration / Breakfast / Exhibit Hall
Main Foyer & Reception Hall
8:30–8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Jocelyn Gavin-Lane, LCSW, MPH – Founder, Mississippi Minority Mental Health Symposium
8:45–10:15 a.m.
Opening Plenary – Sewing Seeds of Sustainability
Presented by: Marquita Thurman, LCSW (1.5 CEU – General)
10:15–10:30 a.m.
Exhibit Hall / Break
Networking and Resource Gallery – Exhibit Hall
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops
101: When Strong Become Silent: The Mental Health Cost of the Strong Black Woman Narrative (Room 1) – Presented by: Myia Lane, LCSW, Premier Professional Counseling Services (Cultural Diversity 1.0 CEU)
102: The Green Elephant in the Room: The Harm Reduction Approach to Medical Cannabis – Presented by: Melody Worsham, BAAS, PSS (General 1.0 CEU)
103: Carrying It All: Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health Among Black Men – Presented by: Donnell Nicholes, Jr., LPC, Southern Christian Services (Cultural Diversity 1.0 CEU)
11:30–1:00 p.m.
Exhibit Hall / Lunch – Food Trucks
Midday dining and networking – Food Trucks & Exhibit Hall
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops
201: Before You Boil Over: The Teapot Mentality (Room 2) – Presented by: Kemberli Brown, Good Heart Professional Counseling Services (General 1.0 CEU)
202: When Fat Ain’t Fabulous: How Diet Culture of Mississippi Affects the LGBTQIA+ Community – Presented by: Greer Massey, LCSW, Coastal Family Health (Cultural Diversity 1.0 CEU)
203: The Justice Impacted Crisis – Presented by: Christine McCarty, Leading By Example – MS (General 1.0 CEU)
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Break / Exhibit Hall
Afternoon refreshments & networking – Exhibit Hall
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Ethics Beyond the Code: Applying Ethical Standards in Minority Mental Health Care –
Presented by: Dr. Shelbi Bradley, DPC, LPC-S, BC-TMH (Ethics 1.0 CEU)
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Closing Plenary – Healing Mothers, Strengthening Communities: Addressing Maternal Mental Health Disparities in Minority Populations
Presented by: Ruth Drake, LCSW, Drake Counseling and Consulting (Cultural Diversity 1.0 CEU)
6:30–8:00 p.m.
Community Conversation Panel Discussion
Facilitated community dialogue with symposium speakers and guests
9:00–10:00 p.m.
Ambassadors Reception (Invitation Only)
Invitation-only gathering for MMMHS Ambassadors & Partners
Friday, December 4, 2026
8:15 a.m.- 8:30 a.m
Opening Remarks, Jocelyn Gavin-Lane, LCSW, MPH
Main Foyer & Reception Hall
8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.
Opening Plenary
Smart Tools, Serious Stakes: Using AI Ethically in Minority Mental Health Care Presented By: Dr. Valarie Joiner, LCSW (Ethics 1.0 CEU)
9:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.
Break/Exhibit Hall
10:15–10:30 a.m.
Exhibit Hall / Break
Networking and Resource Gallery – Exhibit Hall
10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m
Healing Through Conversation: Using Stack & Chat to Strengthen Mental Wellness and Human Connection (General 1.0 CEU)
Presented by: Dr. Clayton Barksdale
11:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Lunch - On Your Own
Midday dining and networking – Food Trucks & Exhibit Hall
12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Centering Black Maternal Mental Health: A Call to Action
Presented By: LeJeune Johnson, LCSW, PhD Student, UMMC | Southern Center for Maternal Health (Cultural Diversity 1.0 CEU)
1:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Closing Plenary: With Liberty and Justice for Some: Addressing Inequities in the Criminal Justice System as a Mental Health Professional Advocate
Presented by: Cece Hunter-Jean, LCSW - Rise Psychotherapy and Family Support Services (1.5 CEU Cultural Diversity)
2:30 p.m.- 2:45 p.m.