Mental Health, Systemic Racism, and Young Black Artists, Designers, and Activists: A Panel Discussion

Columbus' next generation of Black artists, designers, and activists face extraordinary psychological pressures simply living within a culture of systemic white supremacy, let alone when they focus their energies and talents into anti-racist and abolitionist work. As part of his October residency at CCAD, author and activist Hanif Abdurraqib moderated a panel discussion about the mental health challenges encountered by young Black, indigenous, and POC creatives and activists, including the unique intersectional and systemic prejudices which oppress LGBTQIA+ people and communities of color.

Panelists included Dionne Custer Edwards, a writer, educator, and the Director of Learning & Public Practice at the Wexner Center for the Arts; Lisa Hayes, MSW, LISW-S, a Clinical Social Worker based in Columbus; and Bobby T Luck, a visual artist and education activist based in Columbus. The event was presented by CCAD's Counseling & Wellness Center, Visiting Artists & Scholars program, and Department of Liberal Arts. View the full panel discussion below.