By Laura Bailey
The Annual Community Conversation will return to Rockwell Park on Thursday for the fourth consecutive year.
Hosted by the Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth, and Community Services (BPRYCS), this insightful event aims to raise awareness about mental health and foster an open dialogue within the community.
“We are very pleased to once again be hosting the Award Winning Community Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Rockwell Park,” stated BPRYCS Superintendent Dr. Joshua Medeiros.
“This year the event is focused on mental health, and we are creating a space for the community to come together to not only hear Wes Woodson’s inspiring story, but also to have the opportunity to learn more about the resources in Bristol to support positive mental health.”
The Fourth Annual Community Conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will focus on mental health, and will be facilitated by Wes Woodson, a nationally renowned professional public speaker, mental health advocate, and published author.
Over the last three years, Wes has given a TED Talk, published his first book, “I Have Anxiety (So What?)”, and has spoken to thousands of students around the country on the topics of mental health, self-empowerment, and self-love.
Community members Laura Minor (right) and Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano (left) speaking at the Third Annual Community Conversation. | Laura Bailey photos
Right: The crowd at the Third Annual Community Conversation. Left: Dr. Michael Dietter and Leah McCabe. | Laura Bailey photos
The event will be held Aug. 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Rockwell Park Amphitheater. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in engagement activities that encourage community members to listen, learn and share experiences.
The first 100 participants will receive a free food voucher, as well as Community Conversation t-shirt while supplies last. Admission is free to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
The previous year’s Annual Community Conversation was facilitated by Kamora Le’Ella Herrington, who encouraged the crowd to ask one another what a celebration of diversity looks like in their households. Over 100 community members discussed issues of inclusion, diversity and equity while sharing personal experiences throughout the evening.
The BPRYCS’ Community Conversation event received the Inclusive Program of Merit Award from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association in 2021, which honors outstanding and ongoing inclusive or adaptive programs that demonstrate a conscious effort to service people of all needs and abilities.
For more information, please visit www.BristolRec.com or call 860-584-6160.
Laura Bailey can be reached at lbailey@bristoledition.org
All TBE readers, supporters and donors
The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.
- Non-members will be able to access four (4) articles per week.
- Free readers and people who have subscribed by email will be able to access four (4) articles per week.
- Donors and financial supporters will have unlimited access as long as they log in.
Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.
