Sylvia Feliciano talks to Cultural leader and educator Sharon Cronin and trauma therapist Mike (Top) Washington

Sharon Cronin:Sylvia Feliciano sits down with cultural leader and educator Sharon Cronin, founder of Grupo Bayano and organizer of the Caribbean SeaFest. Sharon shares how Afro-Caribbean traditions, especially Bomba, serve as powerful tools for cultural preservation, identity building, and emotional healing. They discuss the vital role of cultural connection in supporting mental health, particularly for young people and marginalized communities. Sharon reflects on her journey alongside other community members to build spaces where art, activism, and education come together to celebrate resilience, pride, and healing through culture. Contact Sharon at [email protected] for inquiries about volunteering at events or booking Grupo Bayano for a performance or cultural program.Michael (Top) Washington:We are honored to welcome retired Seattle firefighter, Marine Corps Master Sergeant, and trauma therapist Mike (Top) Washington to the Mother's Justice Show. Top shares his extraordinary journey through decades of military service, frontline firefighting, profound personal loss, and his ongoing work as a psychotherapist. After losing his son, Sgt. Michael T. Washington, in Afghanistan, Top turned unimaginable grief into a lifelong mission to support others. Sylvia and Top dive deep into the realities of PTSD, grief, the critical need for mental health support, and the life-saving power of peer connection within our communities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.