Logo and title of the Common Ground National Faith and Community-Based Behavioral Health Conference, presented by Westside Baptist Church, SheRay's & Associates, TTJ Group, and ArkBuilders. A thank you message to sponsors including WestCare, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., and RIZE Consultants.

Welcome to Common Ground

Welcome to the online home of the Common Ground National Conference—a place to stay connected, continue learning, and keep building common ground. Here you’ll find conference presentations and shared resources, photos and highlights from the inaugural Common Ground National Conference. Please check back and join our mailing list for updates on what’s next for Common Ground.

Our inaugural conference featured more than 30 workshops and learning opportunities, a resource hub, vendor marketplace and lots of networking and connection.

To our participants, presenters, sponsors, vendors, hosts, and partners: thank you! Your ideas, expertise, support, and commitment made our inaugural conference possible and helped create a community grounded in connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to healthier communities. Thank you for helping us build Common Ground. The work continues.

A group of six diverse individuals in business attire smiling and posing together indoors at a conference or event.
Group of seven diverse adults standing together in a church auditorium, smiling for the photo, with red chairs and audio equipment in the background.
Group of ten diverse people standing together in a conference room, smiling at the camera, with presentation screens in the background and some seated audience members.
Two women sitting on chairs during a panel discussion or presentation, with a man at a podium on the right. One woman is holding a microphone and smiling, wearing a light blue dress and a white sweater, while the other woman has long dreadlocks, is h
A woman in a green blazer speaking into a microphone at a podium during a conference, with a smiling man in a gray suit standing next to her. A banner with a logo and text about a faith and behavioral health conference is visible behind them.
Two men engaged in conversation in an auditorium with rows of red seats. One man is dressed in a dark suit with a patterned tie, and the other is in a light gray blazer with beige pants and has a bald head and a beard.
Three people at a professional event posing for a photo. The man on the left is wearing a black blazer with a patterned shirt and has a gray beard. The man in the middle has gray hair, a gray beard, and is wearing a gray checkered blazer with a white
A panel of six diverse individuals seated and standing on a stage at a conference, with two large screens displaying the event title 'Common Ground' and a banner with the same logo and details in the background.
Man with a bald head, beard, glasses, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and red tie, holding a green microphone at a podium during a conference or presentation.
A group of diverse individuals seated in a conference room, engaging in a professional event or seminar, with some taking notes and others listening attentively.
A diverse group of people attending a conference or seminar, seated at tables with conference materials, in a well-lit room.
A woman in a pinstripe suit with glasses and long braided hair giving a presentation in a classroom or conference room. She is standing next to a whiteboard and a TV screen displaying text and a video. A laptop and remote are on the table in front of
A smiling woman and man sit behind a table displaying denim and accessories at a craft fair or market. There are racks of denim bags, hats, and jewelry next to the table, with a sign that reads "Denim Bags by Lady 30." Large windows and trees are vis
Three women seated on chairs. The woman on the right is speaking into a microphone, holding it with her right hand. The woman in the middle is wearing a black jacket with a logo that reads 'Westside Baptist Church' and has her hands clasped in her la
A woman in a floral top and pink pants talking to a man in a light-colored shirt at a book signing event. The table displays copies of her book titled "Be Great." There are two large vertical banners behind them, one promoting the book and author Nic
A woman with black glasses and a polka dot shirt giving a presentation in a classroom or conference room. Behind her, on a large monitor, there is a slide titled 'The 9 Dimensions of Wellness' with a colorful wheel diagram. To her left, another scree
A woman with gray dreadlocks, wearing black glasses and earrings, dressed in a quilted dark jacket, is holding a smartphone and speaking in what appears to be an indoor setting with red seating.
Two women are seated at a conference, one with glasses and a blue blouse with a name badge, the other with braided hair, speaking into a microphone, with a presentation screen in the background.
Two women and a man are smiling and taking a selfie together at an indoor event. The woman on the left has blonde hair in a ponytail, and the woman in the middle has dark hair and is wearing glasses and earrings. The man on the right has short, gray
Two women seated on stage at a conference, one speaking into a microphone, with a screen behind them displaying text about Dr. Larry Leflora.
Close-up of two women sitting side by side at a meeting or conference, one with curly red hair wearing a black-and-white striped blazer, and the other with black hair and glasses, wearing a white shirt with a name badge.
Two women engaged in conversation, facing each other, in what appears to be a professional or formal setting, with other people in the background.
A woman with short reddish-brown hair and hoop earrings holding a green microphone.
A woman with dark braided hair styled in a high bun, wearing a black sleeveless top and earrings, working on a silver MacBook laptop in a room with beige walls, surrounded by office supplies and cups.
A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes holding a green microphone and speaking in a discussion.
Collage of women and men attending a conference or seminar. Some are speaking into microphones, some are listening attentively, and others are engaging in conversations.
Two men standing and smiling at an indoor event, with others sitting at tables in the background.
Three women and one man standing together at an award ceremony, with one woman holding a glass award. The woman on the left is wearing a dark outfit with a patterned scarf, the woman in the middle is in a blue floral dress with a medal around her nec
Three people standing together, smiling, with a woman in the center holding an award. There is a banner in the background and a table with a green microphone and a tumbler on it.
Three people standing together at an indoor event. The woman in the middle, wearing an orange shirt, is holding a glass award. The other woman and man are smiling, dressed in business attire, with a presentation screen in the background.
Four people standing together at an awards ceremony, three women and one man, smiling. The woman second from the left holds a plaque or award. They are indoors, with a screen and a banner in the background.
A woman with curly hair, wearing glasses, is sitting at a table, holding a pen and writing on paper, with a laptop and water bottle nearby.
A woman with brown hair and a black lace top sitting at a conference table in a meeting room.
Two women seated at a table, looking down with thoughtful expressions, surrounded by papers, notebooks, cups, and pens, in a conference or meeting setting.
A diverse group of people seated at tables in a conference room, attentively listening to a speaker or presentation, with some taking notes and others holding cups.
A group of people attending a conference or seminar sitting at round tables with notebooks, drinks, and pens, in a room with beige walls and dark flooring.

Thank you to all of our workshop presenters!

Our inaugural conference featured more than 30 workshop sessions. Included here are a few of the session leaders; click on the links to view their presentations.

A woman with curly dark hair, glasses, and a leopard print blouse is standing and speaking in front of a classroom. Behind her is a whiteboard and a large screen displaying a presentation titled 'Bridging Faith and Prevention.' Several posters and writings are on the classroom wall, and there are students listening, some with gray hair.
A woman with curly dark hair, glasses, and a leopard print blouse is standing and speaking in front of a classroom. Behind her is a whiteboard and a large screen displaying a presentation titled 'Bridging Faith and Prevention.' Several posters and writings are on the classroom wall, and there are students listening, some with gray hair.
A man in a dark suit and glasses appears to be giving a presentation, standing in front of a projector screen with text and an image. He is speaking and gesturing with his hands.
A man in a dark suit and glasses appears to be giving a presentation, standing in front of a projector screen with text and an image. He is speaking and gesturing with his hands.
A middle-aged man with glasses, a patterned short-sleeve shirt, and a smartwatch on his left wrist, is speaking into a microphone with a green foam cover, raising his right hand, and smiling. Two women and a man are in the background, smiling in a room with a gray wall and a red banner or poster.
A middle-aged man with glasses, a patterned short-sleeve shirt, and a smartwatch on his left wrist, is speaking into a microphone with a green foam cover, raising his right hand, and smiling. Two women and a man are in the background, smiling in a room with a gray wall and a red banner or poster.

From left to right: Clara Mitchell, True Visions Community Church, presented, ”Real Talk: Christian Principles and Gambling;” Pamela Watkins and Richard Watkins, Jr., Believe Until Something Happens, LLC, “Bringing the Silence;” and, Marseille Arbuckle, Jr. , The Center for Urban Youth and Family Development, Coalition-Driven Prevention in Detroit.

Five professional headshots of diverse men and women in business attire.

From left to right: Stacey Johnson, Stacey J Consulting, presented, “Sounding the Alarm about Human Trafficking;” Amanda Conn Starner and Nicole Schiesler, PreventionFirst, “Building Prevention With Faith;” and, Dr. Clifford O. Taylor, Sr., WestCare Foundation, “Uplifting the Human Spirit - Together.”

A collage of four portraits of diverse adults, including an older woman, a young woman, an older man, and a young man, all dressed in professional attire.

From left to right: Christina Mancebo-Torres Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina (CAEL), “The Role of Religious Coping in Trauma Recovery;” Bishop Johnny Myles Riley Jr., Marie Cox and Derrick Newby, “From Pews to Prevention / Building Stronger Communities Through Prevention;” and, Neill Blake, NAMI - Cobb County Georgia, “Beyond Treatment: Building Connection.”

Four professionals, two women and two men, dressed in business attire, smiling for a portrait.

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