National Conference on Racial Trauma and Community Healing

May 1-3, 2025
Hartford, CT

This three-day event will offer personal insights and experiences from distinguished professionals who will share their groundbreaking research, innovative engagement strategies, and empowering storytelling to promote community solidarity. Addressing the themes of “Science, Substance, Solidarity, and Sustainability”, our national conference is a unique opportunity to connect with mental health professionals, community members, and researchers actively engaged in addressing racial trauma and promoting community healing.

Download the conference flyer


FEATURED SPEAKERS

Keynote Speaker – Helen Neville, PhD

Helen NevilleDr. Helen Neville (she/her) is a scholar, educator, and activist dedicated to advancing racial justice and well-being among communities of color. Dr. Neville earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology and serves as a Professor of Educational Psychology and African American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Neville’s scholarly work focuses on race, racism, racial identity, and diversity issues related to well-being. She had co-edited eight books and co-authored nearly 90 journal articles and book chapters in these areas. Her work has appeared in a wide range of journals including, The Journal of Counseling Psychology, Journal of Black Studies, Journal of Black Psychology, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.  

Throughout her career, Dr. Neville has held significant leadership positions. She served as President of the American Psychological Association’s Division 45 - Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Association of Black Psychologist’s Distinguished Psychologist of the Year, the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Award, and the American Psychological Association Division 45 Charles and Shirley Thomas Award for mentoring and contributions to African American students and the community.

In addition to her academic and research endeavors, Dr. Neville is committed to social justice and has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting healing from racial trauma. Her recent work has included theorizing about radical healing and radical hope.

Panelist – Wizdom Powell, PhD, MPH, CMHC

Wizdom PowellDr. Wizdom Powell (she/her) is a clinical psychologist, health equity researcher, and changemaker who advocates for addressing health disparities among underserved communities, with a focus on African American men. Dr. Powell earned a PhD and MS in Clinical Psychology and an MPH from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She serves as the Director of the Health Disparities Institute and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health.

Dr. Powell’s work explores the effects of modern racism and gender norms on health outcomes and healthcare inequities. Her research bridges the gap between academia and real-world applications to promote social justice in health.

A leader in her field, Dr. Powell was appointed by President Obama as a White House Fellow, where she advised on military mental health challenges, including PTSD and suicide. She has also served as President of the American Psychological Association’s Division 51 (Men and Masculinities) and chaired initiatives addressing health disparities in boys and men. Dr. Powell’s groundbreaking contributions have earned her prestigious recognitions, including the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Professional Service Award and the Aspen Institute’s Health Innovator Fellowship.

Panelist – Monnica Williams, PhD, ABPP

Monnica WilliamsDr. Monnica T. Williams (she/her) is a board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at the University of Ottawa, in the School of Psychology, where she is the Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Disparities. She is also the Clinical Director of the Behavioral Wellness Clinics in Connecticut and Ottawa, where she provides supervision and training to clinicians for empirically supported treatments. Prior to her move to Canada, Dr. Williams was on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School (2007-2011), the University of Louisville in Psychological and Brain Sciences (2011-2016), where she served as the Director of the Center for Mental Health Disparities, and the University of Connecticut (2016-2019) where she had appointments in both Psychological Science and Psychiatry. Dr. Williams' research focuses on BIPOC mental health, culture, and psychopathology, and she has published over 200 scientific articles on these topics. Current projects include the treatment of racial trauma, improving cultural competence in the delivery of mental health care services, and addressing structural racism. She gives diversity trainings nationally for academic programs, scientific conferences, and organizations.

Panelist – Della Mosley, PhD

Della MoselyDr. Della V. Mosley (they/them or she/her) is a healer, scholar-activist, and spacemaker who uses Black feminist approaches to facilitate holistic wellness for people of the global majority, particularly Black people and all queer and transgender People of Color. Dr. Della earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology and is the president of The WELLS Healing Center non-profit. The founder of Blafemme Healing, they have authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters centered on wellness and liberation, bridging academic research with community healing practices. They co-founded the initiative Academics for Black Survival and Wellness and presented a TEDx talk entitled "Moving from Woke to Working for Black Futures." Connect with them on Instagram @dvmosley or by visiting www.DellaVMosley.com.


SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 1st – Community Welcome Reception (evening)

Friday, May 2nd – Presentations (full day)

Saturday, May 3rd – Presentations (half day)

Time Zone: Eastern

Download the Conference Schedule


LOCATION

The Hartford Club
46 Prospect Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Map/Directions


REGISTER

You can register online for this event.

Register online

We are providing conference fee waivers to community members residing in the local Hartford area and full-time graduate students. If you believe you are eligible for this waiver, please fill out the fee waiver form.

Fee waiver form


CME CREDITS AVAILABLE 

Accreditation and Credit Designation: In support of improving patient care, Hartford HealthCare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • Physicians: Hartford HealthCare designates this live activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • Psychologists: Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. This activity is designated for a maximum of 7 APA CEP credits. 
  • Nurses: This activity is designated for a maximum of 7 ANCC contact hours.
  • Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Hartford HealthCare is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.  Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.  Hartford HealthCare maintains responsibility for this course.  Social workers completing this course receive a maximum of 7 general continuing education credits.
  • All Other Learners: All other learners will receive a Certificate of Participation for a maximum of 7 of education. Consult your professional licensing board regarding the applicability and acceptance of certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.

Financial Disclosures: No planners or faculty for this activity have reported any relationships with ineligible companies.

Commercial Support: There is no commercial support for this program.


ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Research on Racial Trauma and Community Healing is a one-of-a-kind research center established in 2024. Our aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological and behavioral consequences of discrimination and trauma so we can advance equity and healing through the power of community.


CONTACT 

The Barthwell Group
HHCConference@barthwellgroup.com

Center for Research on Racial Trauma and Community Healing