A free wellness workshop in Lawrence designed for people of color will offer a panel discussion on trauma and healing, physical therapy exercises and vision board-making.
“BIPOC Soul: Healing from Pain and Grief” welcomes Black, Indigenous and Hispanic folks and other people of color ages 14 and older, according to the event flyer. Noting that people of color hold shared experiences around trauma, grief and loss, the flyer says the workshop will serve as a “time for discussion, validation, sharing, support and education.”
Nicole Rials, founder of K.N. Rials Therapy & Consulting LLC and the host of the workshop, held a virtual conversation with three of the panelists Wednesday night. That’s posted to LRM Foundation’s Facebook page.
Education consultant Tamara Cash, community advocate Elwood Ott and Lawrence paraeducator Chunjing Liu joined Rials to give a preview, touching on grief, systemic racism, stigmas around men’s mental health and other topics.
“As marginalized communities and individuals, we are often encouraged — even manipulated — into suffering in silence,” Cash said during Wednesday’s discussion. “And hopefully this is an opportunity where people can — their experiences can — be validated, and they can feel that it’s OK to openly talk about it and talk about ways to heal and cope.”
It’ll also be a chance for fellowship.
“The power really is in those who show up,” Rials said during Wednesday’s discussion. “The connection, right, the connection of the people, the shared space, the shared experience, the shared support.”
Other panelists include Mackie Moore, dean of the School of Business at Haskell Indian Nations University, who joined Rials for another virtual discussion this week; Reggie Jackson, clinical social worker and licensed therapist; Chantel White, licensed massage therapist; DeBarre Johnson, community advocate; Azia Gambrell, dancer and fitness trainer; and Rita Rials, playwright and director.
Following the panel discussion, self care sessions will incorporate chair massages, essential oils, a stretching class and a vision board activity, the flyer says. Light refreshments will be provided.
The “BIPOC Soul: Healing from Pain and Grief” workshop is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 at the Lied Center of Kansas Pavilion, at 1600 Stewart Drive, on the east side of the building.
Registration is free but required via a Google form. The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 23.
The workshop is part of a series of “BIPOC Soul” wellness events. It’s sponsored by a grant from the United Way of Kaw Valley Racial Equity Community Fund that she received through her partnering agency, Life Restoration Ministries, or LRM Foundation.
Rials put on the first workshop, centered on mental wellness, in July 2023. In September 2023, she subsequently hosted the second installment, which focused on suicide prevention.
Visit LRM Foundation’s website, lrmlawrence.com, and Facebook page for more information.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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