The live event kicks off with opening remarks from several notable speakers.
We're thrilled to announce Mayor Ciera Dent as the kickoff speaker with Mayor Ciera Dent!
Discover how financial health directly impacts your mental well-being. Learn practical strategies to improve your financial health while navigating unique challenges faced by women of color. Get ready to take charge of your financial future.
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Join the Black Girl Health Foundation's Minds Matter Harrisburg Mental Health Event, a transformative gathering designed exclusively for women of color. "Soulful Healing" aims to create a safe and empowering space where we delve into the complexities of mental health, self-care, and holistic healing.
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Immerse yourself in a calming yoga session designed to heal your mind and soul. Cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and find inner peace. This session is a gentle journey towards mental clarity and emotional balance.
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Ciera Dent moved to Steelton, PA with her family at the tender age of 11. From that moment she has been one that bleeds blue and gray. A graduate of Steelton-Highspire Jr. Sr. High School, Ciera became an alumnus of the great class of 2005. She currently still resides in Steelton with her four amazing children who, also, are proud Rollers! Mayor Dent went on to study Biology at Cheyney University before returning home to give birth to her first-born son. She decided to not allow life’s obstacles stop her from pursuing a post-secondary education, so she returned to schooling at Keystone Technical Institute and received an associate degree as a Medical Assistant. She has also completed classes at Central Penn College studying Business Administration and Healthcare Management. With this background and her life’s experiences, Mayor Dent learned the importance of empathy and understanding people from different walks of life. It inspired her to self-publish three books and to create The Resource Center for Hope, a non-profit organization that helps low-income families by offering everyday life essentials such as toiletries and household items. She continues to mentor mothers through The M.R.S. Community- Moms Redefining Sisterhood by teaching mothers to heal as women first. With these programs, Ciera assists with teaching financial literacy, offer resources for family counseling, health and nutrition, financial stability and offering a safe place for mothers to heal and grow. Mayor Dent uses her experiences to connect with others through building relationships to effectively cause change for the betterment of all parties involved. She is excited to learn, grow, and build relationships with the constituents of Steelton while advocating on their behalf and making sure their voices and concerns are heard.
Born a native to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, April Ashe is the owner of UnBottled Expressionz llc, a customized Sugar and Salt Scrub company. She is the Organizer of Self-Care Saturdays in Harrisburg, where once a month you can pamper yourself while learning how to implement simple activities that bring clarity, peace and joy into your life daily. April hosts personal and professional trainings at the House of Representatives teaching, the Color Code, Character Code and Self-Care. After losing all sense of taste, smell, and ability to breathe through her nose in 2016, April’s body collapsed, and doctors diagnosed her with Sarcoidosis, and tested for arthritis as they noticed her muscles were intensely inflamed. With no desire to be filled with medications, April knew it was time for a change. After trying the fast, crashing ways of life, April learned, slow and steady wins the race. She began to implement small changes into her diet, daily activities, even the mental statements she spoke to herself. Life took on a whole new meaning. Gravitating back to her roots, April began studying the teachings of Usui Reiki and became a Reiki Practitioner, in balancing Self, with meditation and then became a certified yoga instructor through YogaRenew 200Hr. Using everything Mother Nature gifted us, from crystals, to herbs, and salts. Self-Care became the catalyst to building self-awareness, esteeming the ability to network, and discipline to carry out her dreams and aspirations. UnBottled Expressionz is the result of her Self-Care Journey. As she believes, “Self-Care is NOT Vanity, It’s Sanity!”
Lisa Lickers-Ricks, a native from Buffalo, NY, is deeply committed to a life of service. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Buffalo State College and her M.A. in Human Services Counseling, driven by a profound desire to understand and address the needs of her community. Certified as a Crisis Advocate for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault victims, Lisa has mentored teen mothers and actively engaged with youth, providing essential tools and resources for their success. As a certified life coach and licensed in financial services, Lisa empowers families to establish a secure foundation for their future. Her passion lies in community service and nurturing the next generation. Her vision centers on preparing and propelling young women towards success in service, influence, education, and entrepreneurship. Founding the Young Women’s Empowerment Academy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in July 2017, Lisa expanded its reach to Buffalo, New York, Lynchburg, VA, and an expansive Virtual Academy spanning over 17 different states. Her mission is rooted in giving back to the communities that shaped her upbringing. In August 2021, Lisa achieved a significant milestone by being promoted to Partner at a Fortune 100 company. In this role, she has had the privilege of creating life-changing careers for others while continuing her commitment to community empowerment through her various initiatives.
Chelsea Jones obtained her graduate degree in Social Work from Shippensburg and Millersville University in 2013. She followed with obtaining her clinical license to provide more specialized mental health treatment in 2019. Chelsea has been a passionate advocate of mental health initiatives since before graduating with her Bachelor of Social Work in 2011. She is currently working as a school-based therapist serving children of inner-city Harrisburg.