Dr. Stacey Pearson-Wharton

Helplessness to Hopeful Action: Learning from the Past, Acting for the Future

This keynote addresses the turbulent social and political climate and provides attendees with concrete tools to navigate these challenging times. It strives to transcend feelings of helplessness and hopelessness by recognizing the strength in varied perspectives, understanding the recurring patterns of social injustice, and drawing insights from the perseverance of historically minoritized communities. Drawing parallels to change management principles, this session offers a framework for personal and organizational transformation, empowering attendees to contribute to a more just and equitable society. This keynote is interactive, incorporating opportunities for audience participation, reflection, and dialogue.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will:

• Analyze the complexities of the current social and political landscape and their impact on individuals and organizations
• Develop strategies to move beyond feelings of powerlessness and anxiety in the face of challenging circumstances
• Recognize the value of individuals’ different experiences and their positive impact on innovation, problem-solving, and organizational success
• Understand the recurring patterns of social injustice, including the reactions and resistance they provoke, and determine methods to disrupt this cycle
• Learn of concrete steps and resources to promote positive change within the audiences’ spheres of influence
• Connect the concepts of social change with change management methodologies to create a framework for personal and organizational action

Taming the Dragon: Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

College students are facing more stress and anxiety than ever before, and they are overwhelmed. The stress dragon has taken over – but like any monster, it has weaknesses. This keynote offers tools to help students manage and tame stress. Dr. Stacey’s interactive techniques will reveal the difference between productive motivational stress and problematic anxiety, and offer strategies for training a baby dragon before it becomes a full-blown monster.

The discussion will also challenge the cultural mindset around the virtues of being stressed. Students will become their own mental health champions and learn to support the people they care about who may be facing anxiety. By taming their stress dragons and finding inner peace, students will be on the road to finding “happily ever after.”

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to tackle anxiety and develop skills to reduce and manage their stress
• methods to increase their performance in their academics and organizations
• the importance of working together as a community to support and help each other with stress and anxiety

The Survival Speaks

Moving from silent struggle to life-saving conversation

Suicide is the topic we are most afraid to talk about, yet it is the conversation our campuses need most. In The Survival Speaks, Dr. Stacey Pearson-Wharton breaks the silence to reduce suicide and suicidal behavior through radical empathy, clinical insight, and honest dialogue.

By deconstructing the Anatomy of Wanting to Die, Dr. Stacey helps students and educators understand the unseen forces behind a mental health crisis:

• Overwhelm: The feeling that every option has collapsed at once.
• Isolation: Feeling completely unreachable, even in a crowded room.
• Distorted Thinking: A “tunneled” or fogged mind that restricts perspective.
• Exhaustion: A profound, soul-deep emotional and physical fatigue.

Drawing on the powerful, post-crisis perspectives of suicide survivors, this keynote bridges the gap between those who are struggling and those who want to help. Participants will learn exactly what survivors wish others understood, how to identify the warning signs, and concrete action steps for allies when someone expresses a desire to die. The Survival Speaks is more than a presentation—it is a vital installation of hope, reminding every attendee that their presence matters and that connection has the power to save lives.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program participants will be able to:

• Identify the Crisis Mindset: Recognize the four core psychological elements behind the “Anatomy of Wanting to Die.”
• Understand Survivor Needs: Articulate what suicide attempt survivors wish others understood about their lived experience.
• Intervene Effectively: Execute immediate, concrete action steps when someone expresses a desire to die.
• Foster Hopeful Connection: Apply active allyship tools to reduce stigma and build a supportive campus community.

Being Black in White Spaces

Predominately white colleges and universities (PWCUs) have taken many meaningful steps to become more diverse and socially equitable places. But, many students of color experience discrimination, social isolation, and psychological challenges during their educational experience. Given proper tools, students can not only survive, but thrive in these environments. Combining research studies that clearly articulate the challenges and joys of being a student of color in a predominantly white institution, combined with personal stories of success and strategies for growth, this keynote will offer students practical lessons to hone the tools they need to thrive during their college experience and beyond.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to be an ally and supporter of groups and individuals that are different from themselves
• ways to help marginalized groups share their story and feel included in the greater community
• tools that can help different communities thrive in an environment where they may not identify with the majority population

Difficult Dialogue in a Divided World

Over the last few years, the art of debate has become pure vitriol in our country. From the national political stage down to discussion in the hallways of college campuses, we are struggling with how to disagree with civility. When people are engaging in disagreement, they often fail to listen and are unwilling to respect the different opinion. Moreover, people are turning to social media and protest as the vehicle to debate without having face to face conversations.

In this program, Dr. Stacey Pearson Wharton gives participants the tools they need to have authentic, healthy conversations about the “scary stuff” like racism, homophobia, sexism, religion and politics. This program helps campuses and individuals by teaching tools to approach difficult topics, listen without being defensive, and manage fears of saying, or doing the wrong thing. Attendees will gain the skills they need to help cultivate a more inclusive and socially just campus.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will learn:

• how to understand the difference between dialogue and debate
• radical listening skills
• the behaviors that are healthy dialogue instigators

Black Mental Health: Keeping it 100

The mental health of Black people is often put on the back burner because mental health is seen as a luxury for White people. Similar to this, there are many myths about the mental health of BIPOC individuals. In particular, psychology has admittedly been oppressive to Black individuals, resulting in hesitation within the Black community to use mental health services.

This program will explore Black Mental Health and Well-Being. In particular, the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the ways these disorders manifest will be explored from a cultural lens. In addition, participants will explore ways to mediate the impact of race-based stress and other parts of the double pandemic. Dr. Stacey shares practical wisdom to help African Americans bolster their mental health and tips for allies to help do their part to contribute to the emotional well-being of African Americans.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, students will:

• Learn how to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness
• Self-reflect upon the cultural connections to mental well being
• Learn self-help and other resources available to help them on their journey to mental wellness