Responses to 2020 Racial Tensions.

Dr. Helene, Founder, and CEO of HealthScape LifeSciences, LLC, created and implemented the inaugural "Conscious Conversations Livestream: A Healing Circle for All Black Women," which streamed live on June 26th, 2020, and is currently available online.

Healing starts with family, friends, and community, and reflections on the past allows us to move forward and heal wounds. Dr. Helene and her daughter hosted the first event collaboratively with another mother and daughter duo. They were joined live by 14 mothers and daughters of various professions, including authors, professors, and academics. The group talked about the different stresses experienced by black women today, in light of recent national events, and how they were coping and finding ways to deal with current day stresses.

Many talked about the coping skills passed on from many generations, including cooking, writing, music, and other healing activities. Dating back to slavery in the US, these tools, used to foster socialization and comfort during unthinkable suffering and stress,and provided solace. Stress, one participant said, was designed to destroy, destroy both life and spirit. Still holding today, these coping tools provide an avenue of comfort for many. "Laugh at least ten times a day," said one participant. The group agreed that laughter sometimes is the best medicine.

Dr. Helene brought up the fact that women, especially black women, still suffer from healthcare disparities despite many advances in technology. With added stressors in day to day life, these healthcare disparities become even more noticeable. For example, she said, “women who come into hospital Emergency Departments with heart attack related symptoms, even with the same symptoms as men, are not afforded stents as a lifesaving treatment.” Black women after menopause have the same chance of having a heart attack as white men. Education is essential to reduce these outcomes.

The Livestream started and ended with positive mantras such as "I know I am loved and supported as I move through the day." Post live stream content applauded the mantras as stage setting and an adjournment that made the experience memorable and added to the conversations' enjoyment.

Fostering dialogue, such as what "Conscious Conversations" promotes, offers participants and viewers new coping skills to alleviate stress in today's world. Looking back in history in reflection allows us all to move forward to create trusting relationships and coping strategies during difficult times. "Conscious Conversations" has established an online streaming platform that will be used in other activities focused on bringing together different parties to create more conversations resulting in better relationships.