[Informational flyer-please email to students, colleagues and other interested parties]
The Psychology Department and the Asia Adams SAVE OUR CHILDREN Foundation host their 4th Annual “Love Speak for Me” Conference at West Chester University
“Love Speak for Me:
Stopping Violence in Dating Relationships”
Thursday, February 24th in Sykes Ballroom
This year we are pleased to announce that Dr. Carolyn M. West will be our keynote speaker and evening lecturer. Dr. West is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program at the University of Washington, Tacoma where she teaches courses on Family Violence, Human Sexuality, and Psychology of Women. As a clinical psychologist and scholar with an interdisciplinary focus, Dr. West draws on her academic background in Psychology, Women's Studies, and Ethnic Studies to investigate violence in the lives of ethnically diverse families. She has lectured internationally, conducted workshops and presented papers at more than 100 conferences. Dr. West has authored or co-authored more than 40 journal articles and book chapters, and authored an edited book Violence in the lives of Black women: Battered, black, and blue. (2002). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press (Winner of the 2004 Carolyn Payton Early Career Award).
In recognition of her scholarship, she was honored as the first holder of the Bartley Dobb Professorship for the Study and Prevention of Violence (2005-2008).
Conference Schedule
2:30-3:15 “An Institutional Response to Dating Violence: The Role of
the University” WCU administrators, students, professional staff, faculty and community members explore a comprehensive plan for responding to intimate partner violence, including the loss of a student to murder.
Facilitator: Dr. Deborah Mahlstedt, Professor,
WCU Psychology Department and Women’s and Gender Studies Program
3:30-4:15 “The (in) visible victim/survivor: Breaking the Silence about
Dating Violence in the Black Community”
Presenter: Dr. Carolyn West, Associate Professor of Psychology,
University of Washington, Tacoma and first holder of the Bartley Dobb Professorship for the Study and Prevention of Violence 2005-2008.
4:15-5:15 “Breaking the Silence at WCU: An Open Circle Discussion”
Facilitators: The African-American Dating Violence Prevention Project
Steve Bertil, Khary Carrington, Jazmin Gilbert, Michelle Grace, Amber Green, Ahmeesha Hester, Mercedes Mosby, Elisha Morris, Patrick Robinson, Jordan O’Neill, and Melina Voorhees.
5:15-5:45 “Heal Thy Self: A Mind, Body, Spirit Approach to Preventing
Dating Violence”
Presenter: Ms. Shelah Harper, BA Psychology, MBA, Founder and CEO, Asia Adams SAVE OUR CHILDREN Foundation, and mother of Asia Adams, a Board of Governors, WCU student who was killed by a man she had dated.
Ms. Shelah is also a certified yoga teacher, health and nutrition specialist, and has worked as a child behavioral specialist working with many Philadelphia based social service organizations. She has integrated her expertise to develop a prevention and healing program called “Love Speak for ME” aimed at ending dating violence.
5:45-6:15 “Poesies, Testimonials, and Reflections on the lives of Asia Adams and Selene Raynor”
WCU student spoken word group, friends, and relatives will celebrate and remember Asia and Selene.
6:30-7:20 “The West Chester University Gospel Choir, Angels of Divinity Dance Ministry, Unlimited Praize Mime Ministry, Vizion 323 Gospel Hip Hop and all musicians”
President, WCU Gospel Choir: Ms. Iyana Mapp
7:30-9:00 “Standing in the Caring: Jumping into Healing”
Presenter: Dr. Carolyn West, University of Washington
In this second talk of the day, Dr. West will take a broad look at how we can all heal ourselves, individually and as a community when we experience such trauma and loss. This includes the importance of activism as a part of healing.
