Hollywood & Mind: The Groundbreaking Venture at the Intersection of Entertainment and Mental Health
Announces Second Annual Summit at UTA
First Wave of speakers for the May 9th Summit includes music artist Mike Posner, actress Chyler Leigh, filmmaker Soleil Moon Frye, Indianapolis Colts vice-chair/owner Kalen Jackson, model and advocate Emma Brooks, comedian Bobby Lee, NAACP SVP Hollywood Bureau Kyle Bowser and more.
Hollywood & Mind will host its second annual Summit on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The daylong gathering will return to the Beverly Hills campus of founding event sponsor UTA and bring together thought leaders, artists, creatives, executives and advocates for timely conversations centered on both the popular culture that emanates from the entertainment and other influential industries, and the wellbeing of those working in these industries.
The pivotal event, founded by Cathy Applefeld Olson, shares insights, sparks conversation and catalyzes action. Sessions this year will spotlight Mental Health On Screen, Comedy/Comedians, On-Set Mental Wellness, Black Representation In Hollywood, Sports/Athletes, Brand Storytelling, Influencer/Impact Culture and more.
Among highlights: a conversation with Grammy-nominated music artist Mike Posner; a session featuring Angel Carter Conrad, multi-Grammy-winning producer Aaron Pearce, filmmaker Soleil Moon Frye and On Our Sleeves National Director of Social Impact Joel Goldman about the labor of love to bring the new album “Recovery” to fruition after musician Aaron Carter’s death in 2022; and a conversation with Indianapolis Colts Vice Chair/Owner and mental health advocate Kalen Jackson, the founder of Kicking the Stigma, the wide-reaching Colts initiative that to date has committed $30 million toward raising awareness about mental health disorders and ending the stigma associated with these illnesses.
The Summit takes place as our global mental health crisis continues to spiral, particularly among young people. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24, according to NAMI.
“Mental health remains a critical priority, and Hollywood & Mind serves as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action within the entertainment industry,” said Cathy Applefeld Olson. “We’re thrilled to offer an expansive program that addresses diverse perspectives and empowers communities of influence to prioritize mental wellness.”
This year’s speakers include:
- Aaron Pearce – Grammy-winning producer, songwriter (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber, Jill Scott, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige)
- Amber J Lawson – Co-founder, Comedy Gives Back
- Andie Hollowell – Licensed therapist and chief growth officer, Lightfully Behavioral Health
- Angel Carter Conrad – Mental health advocate and sister of Aaron Carter
- Bobby Lee – Comedian and actor (“And Just Like That,” “Splitting Up Together”)
- Brett Wean – Director of writing & entertainment outreach, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Chyler Leigh – Actress and singer (“The Way Home,” “Supergirl,” “Grey’s Anatomy”)
- Corey O’Brien – Comedian, dancer, social media creator
- Courtney Parchman – Comedian and actress
- Craig Dubitsky – Co-founder, with Robert Downey Jr., Happy
- Daniel Gillison – CEO, NAMI
- Dayna North – Founder, Loud Sis Productions (“The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” “Insecure,” “Black Coffee”)
- Elliott Connie – Psychotherapist, author and podcaster
- Emma Brooks – Model and mental health advocate
- Greg Rhem – Documentary filmmaker and former director of programming, HBO Documentary Films
- Jaxon J Huffman – CEO, Creators Capital
- Jody Kay Edwards – Creative director, winner of “The Blox” on Prime Video
- Joel Goldman – National director, social impact & influencer marketing, On Our Sleeves
- Kalen Jackson – Vice-chair/owner, Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Hines – Storyteller, filmmaker, and suicide prevention speaker
- Kevin Quinn – Actor and musician
- Kyle Bowser – Senior vice president, NAACP Hollywood Bureau
- Laverne McKinnon – Producer (“Girlboss”), former EVP, Epix, career coach and grief recovery specialist
- Liz Hannah – Writer, showrunner, director, producer (“The Dropout,” “The Girl From Plainville”)
- Mike Posner – Singer, songwriter, music producer
- Rene Jones – Partner and chief of social impact, UTA
- Sarah Shaker – AVP, Head of brand engagement, Maybelline
- Dr. Shena – Psychologist, healer, artist
- Soleil Moon Frye – Documentarian, director, actress (“Punky Brewster”)
- Dr. Yalda Uhls – Founder and executive director, UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers
Hollywood & Mind is grateful for the support of its 2024 Summit partners: UTA Foundation, SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios, Creators Capital/Empower Gen Z, Maybelline New York, Hallmark Media, Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures, Lightfully Behavioral Health, Mental Wealth Alliance and La La Land Kind Cafe.
For detailed information on Summit speakers, sessions and tickets, please visit Hollywood & Mind.