About the Summit...
These past couple of years have been difficult on so many levels and for so many people. The cries of communities continue, while the disparities of other systems are highlighted and unmasked. Among them, is the educational system. This year’s Courageous Conversation aims to raise awareness about the impact that recent laws and policies are having and will continue to have on our youth as they challenge the fabric of public education. More importantly this Summit will highlight the interconnections between school policies and young people’s mental health, often leading to increased interactions with the Criminal Justice System.
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This event will engage the audience, accelerate much needed dialogue about reform, and most importantly provide tools and resources that can be utilized to assist professionals in navigating the “New Normal”. U-turn has always focused on the Backstory of youth and families. But in 2021 it became evident that it is impossible to focus on youth backstories, without focusing on the backstories of said systems that are responsible to serve them and their families, in this case, the criminal justice system. As such, this summit is timely and necessary. Our speakers and panelists are a diverse group of experts in their respective fields who will bring vast knowledge and effective skill sets.
The primary target population for this Summit are social service providers, educators, law enforcement personnel, mental health providers, faith-based leaders, community members at-large, and college students majoring in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work. Participants will benefit from the unfiltered truths that will be discussed throughout the summit.
Friday, April 28, 2023 9am-2pm (8:30am Registration)
St. Thomas University 16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054
As a nation we continue to grapple with the realities of social and racial inequities of the Criminal justice system against Black and Brown communities, especially Black men. This summit aims to promote both courageous and honest conversations about reform, and to begin a paradigm shift moving away from a sympathetic approach and instead moving towards an empathetic/lived experience approach. Only through courageous conversations and dialogues can real change emerge.