Resilience in Transition: Navigating Change and Nurturing Care
In recent years, our country has faced a whirlwind of challenges—from global crises to societal and political shifts, which have led to increases in mental health challenges. As these changes continue to shape our world, conversations about navigating change have never been more important. Join us for our annual Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar, Resilience in Transition: Navigating Change and Nurturing Care! Our esteemed panelists will share faith-based insights and practical mental health and wellness strategies to navigate life’s transitions while nurturing wellness and fostering care for self and community. Through an engaging discussion and personal stories, this webinar will offer inspiration, tools, and wisdom to empower individuals and communities to embrace change with resilience, compassion, and hope.
This webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 14th at 2:00pm ET/1:00pm CT. There is no cost to attend but registration is required.
Rev. Joselyn Spence, LPC, ATR, RYT serves as the Director of the NBA’s Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. In this role, Joselyn works to design and implement programs that promote holistic wellness across all NBA programs. This work is done through the creation of learning resources for clergy and community leaders, addressing the needs of pastors in a variety of ministry settings, sharing the stories that help to eliminate stigmas related to mental health and wellness. She is passionate about mental health care, holistic wellness, communal care ethics, and spirituality. As a holistic wellness specialist, she has worked at the intersection of these passions to develop research and provide empathic care to all she is called to serve.
Cameron Cunningham, M.Div., NBA Mental Health and Wellness Program Coordinator, is a dedicated clergy, religious educator, and social advocate with a strong commitment to building faith communities and advancing holistic and social equity. Cameron’s work is driven by the belief that faith can serve as a catalyst for creating and nurturing strong unified communities. He brings exceptional dedication and meticulous preparation working at the intersection of faith and mental health as he has collaborated with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to further enhance his expertise in addressing mental health and substance use disorders within faith communities.
Pastor Rossy Castillo is the dedicated pastor of Iglesia Hermandad Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) in Indianapolis, Indiana. A lifelong servant of the church, she began her ministry at a young age, becoming a Sunday School teacher at 10 and leading various church ministries in her teens. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, she served as an interim pastor for churches planted by her father. Since moving from the Dominican Republic to Indianapolis, she has held numerous leadership roles, including serving on the General Commission on Ministry (GCOM) and the board of Obra Hispana. Currently, she is the moderator of the Midwest Convention of the Obra Hispana. She has been honored with the “Woman of the Year” (2012) award and the “Legado” award (2018) for her impactful work within the community.
Rev. Dr. Cedrick Von Jackson is a distinguished preacher, poet, speaker, writer, and educator, currently serving as the Senior Pastor of the Historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Memphis Theological Seminary, he holds a Doctor of Ministry focused on rethinking mental health in the African American church. With over 27 years in education, he has been recognized for his leadership as an administrator, teacher, and advocate, serving on the advisory board of WomanPreach! Inc. and contributing sermons and writings to The African American Pulpit and The African American Lectionary. A passionate author, Pastor J has published two poetry anthologies—Following the Breadcrumb Path: Navigating the Journey Toward God, Justice, and Love and Theoethnimusicology, Vol. 1 – Nothin’ But the Blues—works that intertwine faith, justice, and the narrative of the Blues. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he enjoys traveling, skiing, and writing poetry. He has been married to his college sweetheart, Eulanda Willis, for 30 years, and together they share two children, a son-in-law, and their beloved dog, Lady.
Taulau (Tau) Tupua is a dedicated faith leader and educator with a strong background in youth ministry, interfaith engagement, and community service. He recently served as Associate Pastor of Youth & Mission at First Christian Church of North Hollywood, where he cultivated spiritual formation and mission-driven service among youth and young adults. Previously, he served as Director of Family Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, developing innovative programs and leading diverse ministry teams. He holds a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Minor in Religious Studies from Chapman University.