Experienced administrator, social worker, and food insecurity expert Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam will be the panel moderator for “Black Mental Health Matters: We All Are In Crisis” as part of the 2024 Black Alumni Collective National Conference, hosted in conjunction with the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance and the Rutgers University Foundation. Herself a frequent speaker on this topic, Dr. Breeden-Balaam will be joined by other leading voices to discuss the unique mental health concerns of the Black and African American community.

“I’m excited to be moderating this panel and guiding my esteemed colleagues through this important discussion on Black mental health,” Dr. Breeden-Balaam said, “We can’t ignore the mental crisis among our communities, and people need to feel empowered with resources and options.”

The panel is just one of many workshops and presentations on the agenda for the conference, which will be held on and around the Rutgers Livingston and Rutgers New Brunswick campuses from Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2, 2024. Black and African American alumni, students, their families, friends, and supporters from any college or university are welcome to register and attend the conference. Organizers are billing the event as an opportunity for attendees to hear from Black alumni experts and thought leaders, celebrate Black excellence, build community among Black alumni worldwide, and expand their network of Black professionals.

Registration for the 2024 Black Alumni Collective National Conference is now open, and more information is available online from the Rutgers Alumni Foundation.