Spreading Joy & Building Community: Let’s Talk Mental Health with Karen Richards

Karen Richards is a social worker (MSW, RSW) and community activist trying to raise a family of revolutionaries in Edmonton, Alberta. Outside of full-time government work, Karen is a teacher at heart as a sessional instructor with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. Combining the love of activism and culture, Karen has embedded arts and physicality in uplifting the community of Edmonton through cultural experiences and facilitation with Joyful Noise Inc. Karen engages and organizes adults and youth to learn and live Black history and excellence. With years of experience in theatre production, television appearances, public speaking, board governance, and political punditry, Karen brings a range of disciplines to presentations. Karen is a certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, empowering whole communities by reducing stigma and helping participants learn how to support others to address their mental well-being.