Los Angeles – One couldn’t help but notice and feel all of the positive energy, positive vibes that engulfed Leimert Park on Saturday, May 26, 2018.
LA’s Leimert Park was the site for the inaugural “Each Mind Matters in Leimert Park” Wellness Fair, produced by Transmedia 360 in Association with Let’s Be Whole. The wellness fair was sponsored in part by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Leimert Park Neighborhood Council.
Mental Health Awareness Month was celebrated as part of this enlightening day. Each Mind Matters is California’s Mental Health Movement, which unites hundreds of organizations and millions of individuals to create a California where mental health is a priority and that each mind matters.
Several hundred people came together in Leimert Park for their part in the Mental Health Movement. Attendees were able to enjoy and participate in a day long series of free holistic workshops, empowering discussions, support groups, health screenings as well as fun entertainment, healthy food trucks, plus children’s activities.
Master of Ceremony duties were shared by Delila Outlaw, DeJuan Christopher and Marwan Granville. There was a wealth of live entertainment on the main stage with musical performances of reggae, neo-soul, pop, jazz and R&B.
Several venues in Leimert Park hosted various workshops throughout the day. Hot N’ Cool Cafe, We Can Foundation, Heroic Ent, Ride on Bike Shop, California Jazz and Blues Museum, Community Build Garden, Youth N’ Motion Marial Arts Studio, Pullum Arts Center, Sika’s Treasures and Kaos & the Peoples Street were the main venues.
Samba in the Streets presented by Viver Brasil led an engaging workshop for local youths. This section was a high energy workshop in Afro-Latin rhythms.
Raquel Urey led a relaxing workshop entitled “Unwind with Yoga.” The Community Build Garden was the perfect location for this and other workshops. Ora B. Nance presented a “Sound Round Therapy” workshop as well in the Garden.
NAMI Urban Los Angeles featured a candid conversation on Mental Health in communities of color. The upstairs lounge of the Hot N’ Cool Cafe was a safe place for the community to talk openly about mental health issues. The panel consisted of Yvorn “Doc” Aswad, a 4th year medical student at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine training to be a Psychiatrist, Margurite Alexis Ferrera is a singer, songwriter, pianist and Mental Health Advocate currently working at National Alliance on Mental Illness Urban LA (NAMI Urban LA). Katrina Long is a Mental Health therapist and Yoga teacher, Manifesting M.E. Wellness and Harold Turner, Director of Programs for NAMI Urban LA. This powerful workshop was moderated by Monique Ruffin (Social Media Coordinator NAMI Urban LA). Audience members were educated, empowered as the panel enhanced their awareness of issues related to Mental Health in honor of May-Mental Health Awareness Month.
Terrence Scott briefly spoke about the therapuetic benefits of Tai Chi to reduce stress, followed by a demonstration of Tai Chi movement. Mr. Scott led a workshop at the Youth N’ Motion Martial Arts Studio.
Superb entertainment was provided on the Main stage by Eric Drew, Say_Prano, Mike Easton, Anansi African Drum and Dance Presentation, Nicole, Nation of Islam Drill Team, Barbara Morrison (Queen Mother of Leimert Park), CardioSoul 2 CardioSoul Line Dance exercise routines, and a set of roots reggae delivered by Ijahken & Fari Soldiers Reggae Band.
The final two workshops consisted of “Living My Life Like It’s Vegan with celebrity chef Babette Davis, Vegan Influencers Tabitha Brown and Gwenna Hunter, Actress/Vegan Chef Angela Means and Dr. Farid Zarif, Nutrionist to the Stars. Guests were able to discover the advantage and health benefits of eating a vegan or vegetarian diet, moderated by Gwenna Hunter. Gwenna Hunter is very popular in the Vegan community. Gwenna Hunter is the Founder of Vegans of LA, and Community Coordinator for Vegan Outreach. This panel was followed by a Financial Empowerment workshop with former NFL New England Patriots Player turned Entrepreneur Bret Lockett. and Pam Small-Pitcher, LVN, MBA, moderated by Gail Scott.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. Contact him via: [email protected]
###
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
