Borders, Belonging, and Well-Being:
Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice
Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice
"True belonging means that no one has to leave their identity, language, culture, or story behind in order to be accepted, supported, and well."
Friday, July 10th, 2026
Location
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
9 AM - 4:30 PM
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
9 AM - 4:30 PM
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Welcome!
Ladies, Gentlemen, Fellow Professionals, Community Leaders, and Valued Partners,
Welcome to the 12th African Mental Health Summit - Borders, Belonging, and Well-Being: Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice!
It is with deep gratitude and great excitement that we welcome you to the 2026 African Mental Health Summit, hosted by Progressive Individual Resources, Inc. and Restoration for All, Inc. We are honored to gather once again at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center for this vital convening of minds, hearts, and communities dedicated to advancing mental health equity for people of African descent.
Our theme this year, “Borders, Belonging, and Well-Being: Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice,” recognizes the experiences of African immigrants, refugees, and diaspora communities as they navigate borders, displacement, identity, culture, and systems that often shape access to care and wellness. It centers belonging as essential to mental health, reminding us that people thrive when they are seen, welcomed, valued, and supported without having to leave their culture or story behind. This theme calls us to build just, culturally responsive, and healing-centered systems that honor lived experience, strengthen community connections, and create pathways for African diaspora individuals and families to move from survival to wholeness and thriving.
Throughout the summit, we invite you to engage deeply in insightful sessions, dynamic panel discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It will be a day of shared learning, courageous dialogue, and community empowerment. Together, we will explore innovative strategies, celebrate resilience, and reimagine what mental health equity can look like for African individuals, families, and communities across the diaspora.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 AMHS Awardees! This award celebrates their leadership, service, courage, and commitment to advancing mental health, healing, and well-being in African diaspora communities. Their work reflects the power of compassion, advocacy, culture, and community-centered action. Through their dedication, they are helping to break stigma, expand access, strengthen belonging, and create pathways for individuals and families to thrive. We honor their impact, vision, and continued efforts to build healthier and more resilient communities. Thank you for being champions of mental health justice and collective healing.
We extend heartfelt thanks to our annual sponsors, whose continued generosity and partnership make this summit possible:
Minnesota Department of Human Services – Mental Health and Substance Use Division, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health, Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, NAMI Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Allina Health, New Concept Counseling, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, Wellness in the Woods, Mains’l Services Brooklyn Park, St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development, PrairieCare Medical Group, Fairview Health Services, Metro Services, United Healthcare & Optum, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to provide full scholarships and deliver a high-impact summit experience that is accessible to all.
So—get ready! Let us move forward with renewed purpose to elevate every voice and expand access to mental wellness across every African community. Here’s to elevating every voice, expanding every doorway to care, and building a future where mental wellness is a reality for all.
Welcome to the 12th African Mental Health Summit - Borders, Belonging, and Well-Being: Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice!
It is with deep gratitude and great excitement that we welcome you to the 2026 African Mental Health Summit, hosted by Progressive Individual Resources, Inc. and Restoration for All, Inc. We are honored to gather once again at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center for this vital convening of minds, hearts, and communities dedicated to advancing mental health equity for people of African descent.
Our theme this year, “Borders, Belonging, and Well-Being: Building Thriving African Diaspora Communities Through Mental Health Justice,” recognizes the experiences of African immigrants, refugees, and diaspora communities as they navigate borders, displacement, identity, culture, and systems that often shape access to care and wellness. It centers belonging as essential to mental health, reminding us that people thrive when they are seen, welcomed, valued, and supported without having to leave their culture or story behind. This theme calls us to build just, culturally responsive, and healing-centered systems that honor lived experience, strengthen community connections, and create pathways for African diaspora individuals and families to move from survival to wholeness and thriving.
Throughout the summit, we invite you to engage deeply in insightful sessions, dynamic panel discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It will be a day of shared learning, courageous dialogue, and community empowerment. Together, we will explore innovative strategies, celebrate resilience, and reimagine what mental health equity can look like for African individuals, families, and communities across the diaspora.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 AMHS Awardees! This award celebrates their leadership, service, courage, and commitment to advancing mental health, healing, and well-being in African diaspora communities. Their work reflects the power of compassion, advocacy, culture, and community-centered action. Through their dedication, they are helping to break stigma, expand access, strengthen belonging, and create pathways for individuals and families to thrive. We honor their impact, vision, and continued efforts to build healthier and more resilient communities. Thank you for being champions of mental health justice and collective healing.
We extend heartfelt thanks to our annual sponsors, whose continued generosity and partnership make this summit possible:
Minnesota Department of Human Services – Mental Health and Substance Use Division, Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health, Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, NAMI Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Allina Health, New Concept Counseling, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, Wellness in the Woods, Mains’l Services Brooklyn Park, St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development, PrairieCare Medical Group, Fairview Health Services, Metro Services, United Healthcare & Optum, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to provide full scholarships and deliver a high-impact summit experience that is accessible to all.
So—get ready! Let us move forward with renewed purpose to elevate every voice and expand access to mental wellness across every African community. Here’s to elevating every voice, expanding every doorway to care, and building a future where mental wellness is a reality for all.
Welcome to the 12th African Mental Health Summit!
Dr. Tolulope Monisola Ola (MPH)
Founder & Executive Director, Restoration for All (REFA) Inc. |
Richard Oni, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Progressive Individual Resources Inc. |