Embrace the magic of the holiday season with the biggest bash of its kind! Open to all, but especially for individuals in the creative, marketing and media community, our Merry Mixer is designed to make new connections and ignite your creative spirit at the vibrant TolHouse social club!
For the first time, several of the most influential creative and media organizations in the city will come together for a night of mingling complete with holiday vendors and raffle prizes. Each organization will have info and representatives so that you can learn more, ask questions, and meet connections that will lead to your next big opportunity!
Admission is $20 and tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com.
Join the Press Club of Toledo and Communica for a thought-provoking discussion on MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MEDIA: Covering and Coping on Thursday, Sept. 7.
This FREE event is open to all business professionals looking to grow their skill sets and take away actionable items to their workplace.
We’ll be uncovering the two sides of mental health in our world today. Especially how the media covers it, and how those in the media manage their own mental health.
An Anchor from WTOL 11, will be moderating the panel discussion with the following local mental health leaders: Dr. Philip D. Atkins, PhD, Chief Care Coordination Officer, at Harbor, Faith Kelleher, Communications Manager, at the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County, and Kelly McGilvery, a freelance writer, editor, and advocate for disabilities and the arts.
The event will be held at 705 Monroe Street Conference Space, Toledo Ohio at Communica. There will be a 7:45 a.m. meet and greet along with a continental breakfast. At 8:30 a.m. the hour-long program is set to begin.
WHAT: MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MEDIA: Covering and Coping
WHERE: Communica, 705 Monroe Street Conference Space
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 7 doors open at 7:30 a.m.
WHY: To better understand ourselves and each other in the workplace when it comes to mental health.
Amy Brennan spoke about Courageous Conversations, which was implemented at her place of work at Owens Corning, as a way to have a safe space to communicate with team members.
“People sign up for a topic, listen and learn,” said Brennan. Brennan went on to add they’ve discussed a wide range of topics like fears surrounding COVID-19, and more recently the deadly Michigan State shooting.
She reinforced that creating a safe space to openly discuss a wide range of topics helps to promote positive discussions in the workplace.
Scot Henshaw with Equality Toledo said it’s all about creating a safe space for all people to work in. “Remove any preconceived notions of a person, get to know the person, and try and remove any stigma surrounding them.”
If a person self-identifies as lesbian, gay, straight, bi-sexual and so on, it isn’t up to them to educate an entire company or business on their gender. Henshaw said that’s what Google is for.
Henshaw encouraged the group to create a working relationship first with a co-worker and then if a friendship develops more private questions can be asked but there should always be a safe and comfortable boundary expressed, or discussed.
Lucas Camuso-Stall moderated the discussion by asking questions about the group’s personal experience in the workplace, along with how the media is portraying LGBTQ+.
All three discussed how they can tell if a company or business is just “flying the pride flag” in the month of June and isn’t really living being open and accepting of all.
“We’re going to do our research,” said Camuso-Stall when looking to work at a company. “We’re looking at your physical spaces, and policies to make sure you’re not just flying a flag in June.”
Henshaw said he feels like there is a lot an employee can do to help their company to come around to be more accepting of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. He said there are anti-trans bills popping up all the time and there is a lot we all can do to advocate and bring back to our companies to take a stand.”
Camuso-Stall ended the evening by asking “are we better off today than we were?”
The answers were similar, and boiled down to “yes”, but there is still work to do.
