Empowering Black Parents & Caregivers Raising Neurodiverse & Special Needs Youths & Children The 1-Day Mental Health Support Summit is a transformative, culturally responsive gathering created to support and empower Black parents and caregivers raising neurodiverse and special needs children and youth. This summit provides practical tools, emotional support, community connection, and access to vital mental health resources in a safe, affirming space that centers Black families and lived experiences. Parenting a neurodiverse child can be deeply rewarding — and uniquely challenging. This summit acknowledges those realities and provides guidance, advocacy tools, and culturally grounded strategies to help families thrive. 💛 Who Should Attend? • Black parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children • Families raising children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, and other special needs • Foster parents and kinship caregivers • Educators and community advocates supporting Black families • Youth advocates and support professionals 🧠 What You’ll Gain ✅ Practical mental health strategies for home and school ✅ Tools for navigating diagnoses, assessments, and services ✅ Guidance on advocacy within educational and healthcare systems ✅ Culturally informed parenting approaches ✅ Emotional wellness and caregiver self-care strategies ✅ Opportunities to connect with other families and professionals ✅ Access to local resources and community support organizations 📚 Summit Format Participants will have access to three interactive session tracks throughout the day. You may select sessions that best meet your family’s needs. 🔹 Morning Sessions (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM) - FREE • Empower, Equip, Connect and support Black Families with Neurodiverse Children in our community • Provide a holistic understanding of neurodiversity through lived experiences shared by parents, siblings, and professionals • Explore practical coping strategies for parents, caregivers, and siblings, including addressing stress and burnout • Create a safe and supportive space for parents and caregivers to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another • Address misconceptions and reduce stigma around neurodiversity within families and the broader community • Offer guidance on navigating school systems, accessing resources, and advocating effectively for children • Engage faith communities in supporting neurodiverse families by exploring how faith leaders can foster inclusive environments and provide spiritual, emotional, and practical support Keynote Speaker: Pastor Ilesanmi Our panel members 1. Pastor Samuel Ilesanmi – Faith leader (Christianity) and Mental health professional 2. Mr. Kehinde Moruf Adekomaiya - Faith leader (Islam) 3. Mrs. Omolola Alawiye – School counsellor and mental health professional 4. Mr. Larry Tebang – Parent to a neurodivergent 5. Ms. Phelijoy Tezo - Sister to a neurodivergent Our moderator: Meriztsa Tebeck Lawrence Tebong I am Lawrence Tebong, a Canadian born in Cameroon. I am married and a father of 4 children, including Tezoh Gavriel Blesded-Munoh, who is autistic. My background is in education. In most part of my career, I have been supporting young people both in school environment and in the community to help them succeed in life. My family and I live in Calgary Alberta. (no picture) Ms. Joy Tezo Hello my name is Phelijoy, but I go by Joy. I'm 19 years of age and a 1st year pharmacy student at SAIT. I'm the Older sister of Gavriel Tezoh, who is autistic with limited speech. He's nonverbal most of the time but communicates in his own way. I'll be sharing a little about him and what it's like being his sister. (no picture) 🔹 Afternoon Sessions (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM) - FREE • Grounded & Empowered: Self-Care and Support for Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children • A supportive, strengths-based workshop for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children • Focus on building resilience, confidence, and a sense of empowerment in the caregiving role • Practical, realistic self-care strategies that fit into busy and unpredictable daily life • Simple grounding techniques to help manage stress and navigate challenging moments • Opportunities to reconnect with personal needs and emotional well-being • Tools to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling more calm, capable, and supported • Space for reflection, shared experiences, and validation in a non-judgmental environment • Emphasis on the importance of caregiver well-being as part of supporting their child 🔹 Evening Sessions (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) - FREE • Appreciation and Closing Ceremony • Panel Discussion - See details of panelists 🤝 Community & Networking Throughout the day, attendees can visit resource tables featuring local organizations, therapists, advocacy groups, and support services. This event is also an opportunity to build lasting connections with other families walking similar journeys. Child-minding will be provided.