Presented by:
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) and Life Is Better with You Here (LIBWYH)
About the Summit
Suicide among Black youth and young adults is a growing crisis that demands urgent attention. This solution-driven summit is dedicated to youth-focused suicide prevention by equipping youth and young adults, parents and guardians, faith-based and community organizations, educators and community advocates, and mental health professionals with tools to prevent suicide and support Black youth and young adults.
This full-day event features inspiring keynote speakers, engaging discussions and workshops, and practical training on The Ohio Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), a data-driven model designed to create sustainable suicide prevention strategies.
This is a dual-track summit with two separate experiences running simultaneously.
Together, these simultaneous summits will bridge generational understanding, strengthen suicide prevention efforts, and empower communities to take meaningful action.
Adult Summit Track
 is designed for adults committed to suicide prevention in the Black community through policy, partnership, and prevention practice.
Youth Summit Track titled "Because Young Voices Matter" 
is committed to empowering youth and young adults (ages 13–21) by fostering peer connections, encouraging creative expression, providing wellness tools, and developing leadership skills through Ohio SPF training.
 
Disclaimer:
 To protect the privacy of participants and foster a safe space for open discussion, parents and guardians will not be permitted to attend the youth/young adult session.
**Please select the correct ticket type during registration to ensure proper participation and mate
rials.
**
Key Takeaways:
Gain a deeper understanding of the unique risk factors impacting Black youth and young adults.
Learn practical strategies for building trust and fostering effective allyship in schools, faith communities, and social networks.
Empower parents, guardians, and the community in building stronger foundations for suicide prevention and mental health support.
Receive comprehensive training on SPF’s six key components: assessment, capacity-building, planning, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability.
Connect with local leaders and prevention experts to strengthen statewide and county-level suicide prevention efforts.
Become part of the solution to prevent suicide and support the mental well-being of Black youth and young adults in our communities. Register today and Stay tuned for more event details to come!
Summit Agenda
Moderator:
 Gabrielle Phifer, NBC4 Daytime Columbus Reporter
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Facilitator:
 Tony Coder
, Executive Director, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Prevention: Strategic Prevention Framework Training
Facilitator: 
Albert Gay
, Managing Partner, SheRay’s & Associates
This hands-on training equips attendees with the knowledge and tools to implement the Ohio Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), focusing on:
Assessing community needs using local and statewide data
Building capacity and partnerships
Creating culturally relevant, community-driven strategies
Evaluating continuous improvement and sustainability
Lunch & Midday Connections
Lunch Provided
Networking
Introduction of LIBWYH Song and Dance – Tracee Garrett, President & CEO, Global Insight Productions & LIBWYH and Aleecya Sims, Project Coordinator, LIBWYH
Mid-Day Keynote: From Risk to Resilience: Centering Black Youth in the Path to Prevention
Keynote Speaker: 
Jasmin Brooks Stephens, Ph.D. 
leading voice in youth mental health and racial equity
This keynote will explore the unique mental health challenges faced by Black youth and young adults, highlighting key trends and statistics that reveal the disproportionate risks they face. The presentation will discuss cultural considerations, and the importance of understanding lived experiences when addressing mental health in this group.
The session will introduce the Seven Pillars of Youth Suicide Prevention, offering practical strategies for early intervention and support. Emphasizing the need for community collaboration, it will focus on how to build a strong, supportive environment for Black youth, fostering resilience and creating pathways to prevention.
Collective Conversation Panel (The Green Table Talk)
Listen. Learn. Lead: Creating a Community of Care with Youth & Adults
Facilitated intergenerational dialogue.
Facilitators: 
Elder - Sonia A. Hunt, Ph.D., 
Director of Counseling Services, Central State University
 
and
 
Elder - Mr. George A. Hicks III
, OCPC, ICPS, CEO ArkBuilders, and featuring youth from the community
In this powerful, unscripted conversation, youth join adult allies to share real talk about what’s working—and what’s not—when it comes to mental health, suicide prevention, and community connection. Guided by a youth and adult moderator, this conversation invites vulnerability, reflection, and honest exchange across generations. Together, we’ll explore how adults and youth can better show up for each other and co-create environments that center healing, safety, and trust.
Center youth voices in prevention strategy
Build authentic intergenerational allyship
Foster a shared vision of hope, healing, and accountability
Afternoon Break
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Choose one of four powerful sessions:
Session 1: Advocacy for Change – Policy & Practice in Suicide Prevention
This session will focus on the critical role of policy and advocacy in advancing mental health services for youth, particularly in communities of color. Participants will explore strategies to advocate for mental health parity, increased funding, and state and local policies that promote mental well-being in schools and communities.
The session will also cover how supporting research and data collection can strengthen suicide prevention efforts. Through discussions and action planning, attendees will gain the tools needed to advocate for systemic changes and support evidence-based policies that prioritize the mental health of Black youth.
Advocate for mental health parity and increased funding for mental health services.
Implement state and local policies that promote mental well-being in schools and communities.
Support research and data collection to improve suicide prevention efforts.
Session 2: SPF Training Specifically for Faith-Based Communities
Facilitator: 
Mr. George A. Hicks III
, OCPC, ICPS, CEO ArkBuilders
Faith-based communities play a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of youth and families. By integrating evidence-based prevention strategies with faith-centered approaches, religious leaders, congregations, and faith-based organizations can create safe, supportive environments that foster resilience, healing, and hope.
This session will explore how faith-based communities can apply the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to build sustainable, culturally competent prevention efforts that address the unique challenges faced by Black youth and young adults.
Integrate prevention with faith-based principles
Build culturally competent, sustainable programs
Apply SPF tools within congregational settings
Session 3: Social Media, Cyberbullying & Youth Mental Health
Panelists: 
Timothy and Tamia Woods
, Executive and Co-Founder, Do It For James Foundation in addition to respective representatives from Child Psychology and Law Enforcement
In today’s digital world, social media is woven into the daily lives of Black youth and young adults. While it offers connection, creativity, and opportunities, it also presents serious challenges—including cyberbullying, online harassment, and increased mental health risks.
Examine the double-edged nature of social media
The role of social media in youth mental health & suicide risk
Addressing cyberbullying and online harassment
Leveraging digital platforms for mental wellness and peer support
Session 4: Community Care Circles: Restoring Trust & Rebuilding Support Systems
This session invites participants to explore how community care—not just self-care—can help address isolation and despair in Black communities. Through guided conversation and circle process, attendees will examine how to build trust, create support systems, and respond when someone is in distress.
Why it's impactful:
Offers practical tools for informal community crisis response
Emphasizes collective healing over individual pressure
Models a practice participants can take home
Call for Collaborative Action
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Facilitator: 
Mona
é
 James
, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, Project Coordinator
Event Overview
Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Venue: Quest Conference Center | 9200 Worthington Rd. Suite 400
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Format: Full-Day Summit
Registration Fee: $40.00
Information Source: Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation | eventbrite

Custer County

United States

Westerville

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