Black Therapy 101, an upcoming event, will convene attendees and expert panelists in a relaxed setting to discuss improving access to counseling services for those in need.
Organized by the nonprofit groups Artist Talk Mental Health and Steel Smiling, this event is part of a series aimed at addressing the specific mental health needs within the Black community. Courtney Abegunde, operations director at Steel Smiling, emphasized the importance of creating spaces tailored for Black individuals.
“Given the long history of oppression, it’s crucial to have spaces that resonate authentically with Black folks,” Abegunde explained.
Steel Smiling, founded by social worker Julius Boatwright in 2015, focuses on promoting positive mental health among Black residents of Allegheny County. Meanwhile, Sydney Davis launched Artist Talk as an art and performance series, using artistic expression to delve into the mental health dimensions of creativity.
“Art is a powerful means of expressing our mental health—what’s happening within our minds and bodies,” Davis noted. “Through artwork, we can uncover emotions and insights that may otherwise remain hidden. It offers us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our feelings.”
The event, scheduled for Thursday, July 11, marks the third installment of Black Therapy 101, following a previous session held in November. It will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Opya Studios, located at 2402 Sidney St. on the South Side.
Panelists at the event will include therapist Darla Timbo, artist Treble (a graduate of Artist Talk’s Therapeutic Spaces program), and Rakeem Collins (a graduate of Steel Smiling’s Beams to Bridges program), alongside founders Sydney Davis and Julius Boatwright.
