Black Mobility, Change Empowerment to be Keynote Topics at Certified Healthy Oklahoma Virtual Workshop on June 24

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) The impact of race and racism on Black mobility in the U.S., and key lessons for empowering leaders to create positive change within their organizations, are among the keynote topics to be discussed at the 2021 Certified Healthy Oklahoma Virtual Workshop, Thursday, June 24. 

Certified Healthy Oklahoma is a free, voluntary statewide certification program that highlights businesses, campuses, communities, congregations, early childhood programs, restaurants, and schools that are committed to supporting healthy choices through environmental and policy change.  

The annual workshop is free to attend and open to the public via Zoom.  

Slated keynote speakers are Jessica Lawrence, owner and director of Cairn Guidance, and Charles T. Brown, Founder of Equitable Cities.  

In her presentation, “Do Something Extraordinary”, Jennifer Lawrence will share the extraordinary journey of preparing and fulfilling a major life goal, and will relate her experience to key lessons that empower leaders to create positive change in their organizations.  

Following Lawrence, Charles T. Brown will discuss the impacts of race and racism on Black transportation and mobility in his keynote presentation, “Arrested Mobility: Exploring the Impacts of Over-Policing BIPOC Mobility in the U.S.”  

The workshop also includes a number of breakout sessions featuring local experts. 

Noon – Jessica Lawrence, “Do Something Extraordinary” 

1:00 p.m. – Charles T. Brown, “Arrested Mobility: Exploring the Impacts of Over-Policing BIPOC Mobility in the U.S.  

2:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions 

• Jessica Ghafil, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: “Food Insecurity and Health” 
• Julie Geddes, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention” 
• Kim Quinn, RN, Med, Family Support & Prevention Service: “Movement, the Brain, and Learning: How are they Related?” 
• Avy Redus, MS, Injury Prevention Service: “Drug Overdose in Oklahoma” 
• Marci Merideth, Oklahoma Department of Human Services: “The Importance of Building Relationships – Pyramid Model” 
• Kimbra Whaley (Duncan Regional Hospital), and Todd Gibson (Moore Police Department): “Handle with Care”  

3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions 

• Shana Classen, Oklahoma State Department of Education: “Integrating Health Education into Physical Education” 
• Debbie Munson (Oklahoma History Center), Blair Lanning (Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County), and Nancy Hughes (University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma): “Strengthening Your Employee Wellness Program” 
• Jordan Evans, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments: “Active Transportation” 
• Dr. Susan Sisson, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: “Creating Healthy Spaces for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Early Care Programs” 
• Rachelle Franz, University of Central Oklahoma: “Painted Play Spaces” 
• Chantel Hartman, MPA, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: “Youth Vaping, Tobacco Cessation, and Prevention” 

Event registration – provided by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Training Institute – is available online at http://ow.ly/8CYC50Fb4N0 or by calling (405) 248-9191. 

The deadline to RSVP is noon on Tuesday, June 22.