On February 9-10, 2023, NAADAC hosted its third annual Engagement in the Black Community Virtual Summit. The summit, which was organized by NAADAC’s Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee (CIBCC), highlighted critical issues within the Black community as they relate to addiction treatment, recovery, and healing. This year’s summit was the largest Engagement in the Black Community Virtual Summit to date, with over 2,300 people in attendance. Attendees joined together to foster a greater sense of diversity, open-mindedness, and inclusion within the addiction community.
“Presenters at the third annual Engagement in the Black Community Summit trained over 2,300 registrants on Black issues that affect the daily work of addiction and co-occurring professionals. The summit mingled the richness of awareness, education, and compassion in an in-depth fashion that resonated with what is actually experienced in treatment and recovery,” said NAADAC Executive Director Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, BSW, NCAC II, CDC III, SAP.
This two-day summit took place during Black History Month and provided a voice and platform for the Black community to discuss critical issues that the community faces on a daily basis. Members of the CIBCC not only helped plan the summit but also facilitated sessions and served on discussion panels. NAADAC commends the committee for their outstanding work in organizing this impactful summit.
"The 2023 Engagement in the Black Community Virtual Summit showcased a superb group of Black addiction professionals who shared their knowledge and experience about the prevalent behavioral health issues impacting the Black community," said CIBCC co-chair, Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC.
The summit’s featured speakers included Helena Washington, MEd, LCDC, ICADC, MAC, Daryl Shorter, MD, Nissi Hamilton, BS, MBA, Conte M. Terrell, CCC, DMin, PhD, Carolyn M. West, PhD, Britton Williams, MPhil, LCAT, RDT/BCT, and Marisol Norris, PhD. These renowned speakers brought their insights and experiences to life with their presentations and worked alongside panelists Curtis Dorsey, MEd, CCS, CADC-II, ICGC-II, Sherrá Watkins, PhD, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, Sherri Layton, LCSC, CCS, Joe Powell, LCDC, Kevin Washington, PhD (Mwata Kairi), Rev. Earle J. Fisher, PhD, Pastor Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD, Faiza Coleman-Salako, MSIS, Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC, and Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW. We would also like to thank the 2023 summit facilitators Rommel Johnson, PhD, LPC, NCC, CAADC, and Rev. Thurston Smith, MPA, LAC/S, CCS, CAADAC, Peter D. Mott, MA, LCDC, ICADC, ADC, and Helena Washington, MEd, LCDC, ICADC, MAC.
“As Co-Chair of the Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee (CIBCC), I was honored to assist in the coordination and execution of the Engagement in the Black Community Summit. We had a myriad of DYNAMIC speakers, moderators, and panelists. The breadth of knowledge on multiple topics was truly invigorating. On behalf of the CIBCC, I would like to thank our sponsors, presenters, speakers, and panelists for the Engagement in the Black Community Summit success. Hoping to see you all for the Engagement in the Black Community Summit in 2024!” said Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW, CIBCC Co-chair.
Key topics of discussion from the Thursday presentations included physical health and wellness in the Black community, decriminalizing cannabis as a racial justice issue, and understanding intersectional treatment for the Black LGBTQ+ community.
On Friday, presenters focused their topics on domestic violence and human trafficking and the harm it causes to Black women, fostering alignment within the Black religious community, and music and drama therapy as treatment.
NAADAC would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their generous support. This year’s sponsors include platinum sponsor Fairfax Falls Church CSB, gold sponsors the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and Renew Counseling, Consulting, and Wellness Services, bronze sponsors Addiction Counselor CE, Messiah University, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), People Places and Dreams, the University of Utah College of Social Work, the University of Western States, and Walden University, and sponsors Antioch University, Lambers Fisher Counseling, LLC, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, the McShin Foundation, and the University of Indianapolis.
NAADAC would also like to thank all who organized, attended, presented in, and participated in this compelling event. We look forward to hosting more events that showcase these critical issues in the future.