Purchase your ticket at bit.ly/advocategala
You’re invited for an evening of masquerade elegance and mental health advocacy as we take off the mask of mental health. The event will include a silent art auction from a collection of local artists, live music and a keynote speech given by physician, epidemiologist, public health expert, and progressive activist, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting NAMI Washtenaw County’s mental health educational programs, support groups, and advocacy work.
Due to shame and fear caused by the stigma surrounding mental health, the stories of those living with mental health conditions and their loved ones are often hidden behind a mask. For over 35 years, NAMI has worked to remove the mask by sharing stories of the everyday struggle and hope that comes with living with or caring for someone who lives with a mental health condition. Thank you for joining with us to create a future without stigma, where mental health stories are no longer hidden behind the mask.
NAMI Washtenaw County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those living with a mental health condition and their loved ones through educational programs, support groups, and advocacy. To learn more about the work NAMI is doing in the community visit namiwc.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the many individuals, organizations, and corporations whose donation will help NAMI Washtenaw County provide our no-cost mental health educational programs, support groups, and advocacy work.
Emerald Table Sponsors
Lois Maharg & Eric Burton
Chuck Hughes
Silver Sponsors
Mark Creekmore
Rose Sponsors
Sandy Kirkpatrick
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is a physician, epidemiologist, public health expert, and progressive activist. He is the Chair of Southpaw Michigan. His forthcoming book, “Healing Politics” (Abrams Press), diagnoses our country’s epidemic of insecurity and the empathy politics we will need to treat it, and he is the host of “America Dissected,” a podcast by Crooked Media, which goes beyond the headlines to explore what really matters for our health. In 2018, Abdul ran for Governor of Michigan on an unapologetically progressive platform. Though he finished second of three earning over 340,000 votes in the Democratic primary, his bid was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and The Nation. Prior, he served the City of Detroit as Health Director, appointed to rebuild Detroit’s Health Department after it was privatized during the city’s bankruptcy. He was the youngest health official in a major American city and was awarded “Public Official of the Year” by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and “40 under 40” by Crain’s Detroit Business in view of his leadership. Prior to entering public service, he was Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health where he lead Columbia’s Systems Science Program and Global Research Analytics for Population Health. He has over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications that have been cited over 1200 times.
Abdul earned a Doctorate in Public Health from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He also holds a Medical Degree from Columbia University where he was an NIH-funded Medical Scientist Training Program Fellow and Soros New Americans Fellow. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Highest Distinction from the University of Michigan, where he was chosen to deliver the student remarks alongside President Bill Clinton. He is a native Michigander who was born and raised in Metro Detroit, where he lives with his wife Sarah, a psychiatrist, and daughter Emmalee. He is a proud member of UAW Local 1981, AFT Local 477, and SEIU Local 500. He enjoys good people, good coffee, good food, and University of Michigan football.