The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) understands that the health and wellness of the Black community is connected to our ability to heal and engage in ongoing self-care. As African Americans across the state of Minnesota find new ways of maintaining their mental and emotional well-being through the current public health crisis, the epidemic of racism and police brutality, and ongoing disparities in healthcare access, education and economic development, it’s more important than ever for the Black community to learn and practice self-care to promote our emotional and spiritual health. For information about how to attend these events, please contact AALF program director LaCora Bradford Kesti at LaCora@aalftc.org or our program coordinator Alissa Paris at Alissa@aalftc.org.
AALF’s Black Community Healing Initiative consists of virtual events led by African American healing practitioners that are meant to support wellness in the African American community through healing circles, educational resources, fitness, and the arts. Our Black Community Virtual Healing Space supports mental health in the Black community and takes place via Zoom from 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Finding Calm in Chaos: Virtual Healing Circle led by Dr. Joi Lewis is a resource for “social justice organizations, advocates, activists, community healers, and conscious creatives grounded in mind-body-spirit work, who want to increase their capacity for impact.” Find more information at https://joiunlimited.com/find-calm-in-chaos-healing-circle/
Friday Fitness: Healing Black Bodies Through Movement fosters physical health by providing the Black community with expert trainers who led Zoom sessions that encourage movement and personal fitness. These events take place every Friday starting June 19th via Zoom.
Our Healing the Black Community Through the Arts initiative is a partnership with arts organizations and individual artists that serve the African American community and provides an outlet for creative expression, personal empowerment and healing from the inequalities and historical traumas that impact our daily lives.
