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Join WETA and the WETA Well Beings Youth Mental Health Project for a discussion about the unique challenges BIPOC individuals face on their mental health journey and learn more about some alternative healing approaches through fine and performing arts.
ABOUT THE HOST
Little Bacon Bear
Having roots in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Little Bacon Bear can be found on 93.9 WKYS FM throughout the week. With segments like ‘KYS Versus’ and the ‘Crank Session’, Bacon’s attention to the thriving DMV music scene is apparent nightly on-air. Since her start with Urban One in 2017, she’s shown dedication in sharing her platforms with local and major artists alike. She’s one of the DMV’s most coveted young DJs – known for being at the forefront of music, nightlife, and culture. Ubiquitous in DC’s entertainment scene, she has spun and hosted for brands like Essence, BET, Nike, and YouTube. From pep rallies and parties to clubs and arenas, ‘outside’ is her specialty. With one of a kind voice and presence – her energy is felt on any platform or stage. Being one of radio’s freshest faces, she wants to use her platform for more. Some of her goals as a personality include her quest to be a beacon of success for other women in the music industry and to change the public face of terrestrial radio in the eyes of artists, DJs, and music fans.
ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS
Mazi Mutafa
Mazi Mutafa is the founding Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, a hip-hop non-profit founded in 2002 in Washington DC. Mr. Mutafa is the host of a weekly hip-hop show called Live @ 5 on WPFW 89.3 FM every Wednesday featuring performances and interviews with MC’s, Poets, DJ’s, Producers, and vocalists. Mr. Mutafa received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in African American Studies and “became a Brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.” He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland, American University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University. In 2019 he was an adjunct professor at American University co-teaching a course about international hip-hop, called “Whose Hip-Hop Is It?”
AKeem Rollins
AKeem Rollins is a poet and educator from Cleveland, OH. He has a bachelor’s in Education and is currently studying for his Medical College Admissions Test. AKeem has also had success as a performance poet, placing in the top 15 teams at Brave New Voices youth poetry slam in 2009, the top 15 at the Individual World Poetry Slam in 2012 and 2018, and led his slam team to semifinals two years in a row at the National Poetry Slam 2016 and 2017. His poetry has been featured all over, including The Good Men Project, Huffington Post, Cleveland.com, Button Poetry, SlamF!nd, Lake Effect Poetry Anthologies, and NAMIcon. AKeem currently works as a PrEP Navigation Specialist in the infectious disease clinic at MetroHealth System in Cleveland, OH, and has been a sexual health educator since 2005.
Corrona Boston, LPC, ATR, DBT-C
Corrona Boston, LPC, ATR, DBT-C has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and now serves District of Columbia communities as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Art Therapist, and Owner of ArtVersity. Her clinical experience includes traditional theoretical approaches and behavioral health services. She has also worked with evidence-based models, including Trauma System Therapy and Multi-Systemic Therapy. Her educational and professional background in traditional and expressive art therapies is a unique asset for educating and empowering others. Corrona has been a guest speaker on Mental Health, Art Therapy, and Healthy Relationships at Howard University, Bowie State University, and Coppin State University.
Yesenia Villalta, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Yesenia Villalta is a Bilingual/Bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia. She has 12 years of experience working with Individuals, Youth, and Families ranging from Residential Settings, Outpatient Settings, Intensive In-Home Services, Child Protective Services, and Wellness Health Promotion & Prevention Services. Yesenia works with survivors who have experienced disruption, youth that are considered high-risk, and traumatic stress issues related to acculturation, assimilation, depression, and Trauma. Yesenia’s experience working with immigrant and refugee families began with herself as a first-generation daughter to parents from El Salvador who arrived in the DMV area.
