Antiracist facilitator Roxy Manning, PhD., will share a message about compassion during her keynote speech at the 2025 Speak Life! Health Equity Conference.
The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Monroe Community Hospital, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester and online. The event was planned by coalitions Common Ground Health convenes: the African American Health Coalition, the Latino Health Coalition, the Indigenous Health Coalition and the New American Health Advisory Group.
Manning, a clinical psychologist and social justice advocate, specializes in building resilience and equity. Her experience as a Black Caribbean immigrant informs her work with diverse groups globally, focusing on healing internalized oppression and empowering transformative dialogue. She is an assessor and certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication. Manning is the author of How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy and co-author of The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook. She also co-hosts the Fierce Compassion podcast.
“Each of us has an opportunity to create change within the systems in which we find ourselves,” Manning said. “Whether you feel like a cog in a wheel or someone with the power to turn the gears, you have the ability to examine the systems around you and identify places where leverage can be applied to create beneficial change.”
The conference’s theme is “Generational Resilience: Honoring Our Ancestors, Celebrating Today, Creating Hope for Tomorrow.” During the full-day event, participants will examine the health impacts of racism and discrimination; reflect on how our communities have thrived despite systemic barriers; and learn culturally specific and traditional and historical approaches to healing.
In addition to Manning, three local speakers will share their perspectives and answer questions as part of a panel discussion. These speakers include Carmelo Ramos, integrated medicine specialist for Jewish Home of Rochester, who will give an introduction to non-traditional healing practices. Ronalyn (Ronnie) Pollack, who has worked as director of training and community engagement for the Center for Dispute Settlement Executive, and as director of the Native American Cultural Center in Rochester, and is a co-founder of the Indigenous Health Coalition, will speak about trauma-informed care and the healing power of forgiveness. Amen Imhotep Ptah, marriage and family therapist for Jordan Health, will speak on origins of Indigenous knowledge in hip hop and cultural applications for families of African ancestry in therapy. Organizational and social change coach John Rodríguez will be the emcee.
“We are looking forward to hearing the different perspectives of the speakers for the 2025 Speak Life! Health Equity Conference,” said Wade Norwood, co-CEO of Common Ground Health. “The challenges facing our community must be addressed by an array of perspectives. We have seen that if we think about health across the life course trajectory – and engage across the age spectrum – we are able to improve outcomes across our region.”
Organizers will present three awards at the event to recognize the good work of community members. The 2025 winners of the Dr. Constantino Fernandez Community Leadership and Advocacy Award, the Edgar Santa Cruz Outstanding Coalition Member Award, and the Rev. Dr. Weldon Thomas Faith and Medicine Award will be announced at the event.
Nominees for the three awards collectively are: Elder Hanif Abdul-Wahid of the Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group; Dr. Candice A. Lucas of the Urban League of Rochester; the Rev. Patricia Rector-Hollomon, of New Bethel CME Church; Kendall Scott of Rochester Institute of Technology; Dina Johnson of Monroe County Family Coalition; Pollack, an adjunct professor at Monroe Community College; Joyce Rodriguez of Ibero American Action League; and Dr. Silvia Sorenson of University of Rochester.
Health Equity sponsors for the event are: Rochester Regional Health Foundations and UR Medicine's Wilmot Cancer Institute, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The Vision sponsor for the event is: Finger Lakes Performing Provider System. Unity sponsors are: Alzheimer's Association - Rochester/Finger Lakes, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Greater Rochester Health Foundation. Impact sponsors are: Jordan Health, MVP Health Care and Partners in Community Development. Non-profit partners: BIPOC PEEEEEEK, Community Health Workers Association of Rochester, Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, Foodlink, Helio Health, Ibero American Action League, Lifespan, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - Rochester Area and Trillium Health. Supporters are: Rochester Black Nurses Association.
Tickets are $30, and there is room online and in person to attend. Register at commongroundhealth.org/speaklife2025.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) through the joint providership of The Rochester Academy of Medicine and Common Ground Health. The Rochester Academy of Medicine is accredited by MSSNY to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Statement
The Rochester Academy of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.25AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0779. This course has been approved for 3.0 hours.
Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for mental health counselors #MHC-0337. This course has been approved for 3.0 hours.