The second annual Engagement in the Black Community: A Virtual NAADAC Summit took place virtually on Thursday, February 24 - Friday, February 25, 2022 and featured immersive training sessions presented by nationally recognized speakers. Attendees were able to earn up to 8 CEs by attending live! Only 6.5 CEs are available on demand.
Please note, while the Summit is free to attend, non-members must pay to receive CEs ($15 for 1 CE to $20 for 1.5 CEs). NAADAC members can earn CEs for free!
Below please find the full Summit schedule.
Full Schedule
Thursday, February 24, 2022
12:00PM–1:30PM ET welcome and OPENING SESSION (1.5 CES)
Using Cultural Intelligence to Advance Treatment in the African American Community, presented by Brandon Jones, MA, with facilitator Bakahia Madison, PsyD, LCPC, CADC
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This session is sponsored by Cumberland Heights.
This training will explore the link between historical, intergenerational, and current trauma-related issues to African Americans and their communities. Most have had training and learning opportunities in "cultural competence," however, there continue to be struggles and issues finding the best ways to connect and treat our client populations. During this training, participants will work through cultural dynamics and advance our work. Participants will understand the connection between trauma, mental health, and contemporary challenges for African Americans. We will explore their experiences, perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors that may challenge constructive development. We will discuss practical, culturally-intelligent, and trauma-responsive strategies to keep our work with African Americans moving forward within our society.
1:30PM–2:00PM ET BREAK
2:00PM–3:30PM ET panel DISCUSSION (1.5 CES)
Changing the Conversation on Criminal Justice Reforms Through Activism and Advocacy, with panelists Bayete A. Sadiq, Prechelle Shannon, LPC, MAC, CCTP, Rommel Johnson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC, Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD, Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW, and Karla Sapp, EdD, LPC-S, LMHC-S, MAC, with facilitator Thurston S. Smith, MPA, LAC, CCS
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This session is sponsored by UDO Mental Health & School Consultants LLC.
Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of White Americans and yet represent less than 1/4th of the general population. In 12 states, more than half the prison population is Black and seven other states maintain a Black/White disparity larger than 9 to 1. The addiction profession is negatively impacted by the unacceptable slow progress of criminal justice reform. Close to half of residential and intensive outpatient referrals are actively involved or previously involved in the criminal justice system, and patient substance use is often directly linked to legal or criminal involvement. It is to the direct benefit of the addiction treatment industry that low-level drug offenses are addressed in criminal justice in the same way they are addressed in public health: an indication of someone in need of treatment, not incarceration and punishment. Since America’s continued ‘war on drugs’ has resulted in a war on Black America, the need for criminal justice reform is a critical issue for the Black community. This panel discussion will outline how addiction professionals can more affectively advocate for communities who are disproportionately criminalized due to their need for substance use disorder treatment.
3:30PM–4:00PM ET BREAK
4:00pm–5:00PM ET CLOSING SESSION (1 CE)
Trauma Reformed Care: Addressing Trauma & Addiction in the Black Community, presented by Anthony Andrews, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, and Travis S. Andrews, PhD, LCMHC-S, LPCC, CRC, with facilitator Phyllis Barnette, MA, LCAS, CCS
Criminal justice reform is on the rise with many leaving out the impact of trauma and its effects on addiction and mass incarceration. This presentation aims to address the high rate of mass incarceration of African American male drug offenders while addressing the possible root of the issue: trauma. Treating Black males through trauma reformed care could very well prevent recidivism and the continued mass incarceration of African American males.
Friday, February 25, 2022
12:00pm–1:00PM ET OPENING SESSION (1 CE)
Deconstructing the Myths and Addressing the Realities of Suicidal Behavior in the African American Community, presented by Renata L. Nero, PhD, with facilitator Kathy FitzJefferies, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
This session is sponsored by ICANotes.
There is an increase in suicidal behavior among African Americans. The act of suicide itself is not a diagnosis but a response to hopelessness and unbearable pain. When persons at risk for suicide are identified early, hopelessness and pain can be mitigated through evidenced-based practices. Unfortunately for some members of the African American community, the stigma surrounding psychotherapy, impact of social injustice, cultural mistrust of health professionals, and beliefs that depression and other mental disorders can be “prayed away” may serve as barriers for people accessing the help that they need. Strategies for identifying those at risk for suicidal behavior and accessing culturally sensitive care will be provided in this presentation.
1:00PM–1:30PM ET BREAK
1:30PM–3:00PM ET panel DISCUSSION (1.5 CES)
Black Professionals in Excellence: Overcoming Barriers by Stepping into Our Professional Growth, with panelists Peter D. Mott, MA, ICPS, LCDC, Helena Washington, MEd, LCDC, ICADC, MAC, Chanelle Lawson, PhD, LCAC, CADAC II, CCS, Curtis Dorsey, MEd, CCS, CADC-II, ICGC-II, Joe Powell, LCDC, with facilitator Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the addiction profession must extend beyond creating access to care for the patients we serve. True DEI must also address the disparities in career advancement and growth opportunities within the addiction profession. What strategies are needed for addiction professionals to advocate for their colleagues from the Black community? Can we discuss Black excellence within the scope of the addiction profession and behavioral health industries? This panel discussion will review the variety of methods to address disparities by creating opportunities. Members of NAADAC’s Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee will share their own strategies for career development, advancement, and honestly explore systemic issues within the Black community that hinder advancement and systemic barriers with the healthcare industry that need to be addressed.
3:00PM–3:30PM ET BREAK
3:30pm–5:00PM ET CLOSING SESSION AND CEREMONY (1.5 CES)
Going Back to Go Forward, presented by Jacqueline Battalora, PhD, with facilitator Carmela Drake, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, CAADP (This featured presentation was not recorded.)
For almost 100 years after planting the Virginia Colony, Europeans were the common settlers. None were called "White" people. This presentation addresses the legal history of the invention of White people in this context. The intersection of class and gender are revealed as integral to the invention that, by the 20th century, is reasoned to be "race." Race is revealed as a construct and as a mindset that is foundational to the United States shaping every institution, workplace, and community we interact with today.