Brain Goods: Mental Health Moments

Alexandria J Hughes, Wesam Shahed, Esq., and the AB Korkor Foundation for Mental Health discuss the many ways how mental health plays a role in our judicial and legal systems.

Alexandria J Hughes is a University of Michigan graduate, and Michigan native passionate about mental health and art. Currently I work as a Mental Health and criminal justice organizer at Michigan Liberation, am part of the leadership team at Accountability for Dearborn, and have 3.5 years experience working as a behavioral health therapist in schools, homes and ABA Centers at Centria Healthcare. Through work experience, and personal experiences with racial inequalities, I’ve learned that existing problems within our criminal legal system often intersect with problems pertaining to mental health services and access. This motivated me to become an organizer and advocate for change. I firmly believe that we can create a world where humanity isn’t selective.

Wesam Shahed is a first-generation Palestinian-American from Chicago, Illinois. He serves as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO), the second-largest prosecutor’s office in the US. Wesam has not only been recognized as one of the most promising young talents in the CCSAO, but he has also been internationally recognized in the Arab American Foundation’s “30 Under 30.” Wesam recently gave a TEDx Talk on criminal justice reform titled "Does Justice Require a Conviction?" discussing misconceptions about prosecutors and what alternative prosecution methods need to be focused on. Wesam’s involvement ranges far beyond his day job, as he is the Finance Director for the first Muslim and Palestinian American to be elected by the Democratic Party into Illinois’s House Legislature in 2023. At only 24, Wesam earned his B.A. in Pre-Law: Business Management from Loyola University Chicago and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Michigan State University College of Law. Wesam holds executive leadership positions for the Arab American Bar Association, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, the Arab Professional Business Association (APBA).

Originally Recorded January 26, 2023

Attorney Terry L. Campbell of Moertl, Wilkins & Campbell, S.C., who has over 40 years of experience practicing law, guides you though advanced directives and living will for advanced life planning.

Originally Aired January 13, 2021

Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars 

Pull Your Heart Out was founded to provide an educational mentorship program using strength sports as an outlet and deterrent to prevent disease, drug addiction, and violence within the at-risk youth and under-served population. We create a community where people feel supported while achieving their goals.

PYHO is supported by a board of women dedicated to the well-being and improvement of all. We have been inspired by the strength we have found through lifting and wish to share that with the world. Our volunteers support our mission by organizing fundraisers, hosting events, and otherwise turning our convictions into action. If you would like to be a part of an amazing group of volunteers, please reach out at PullYourHeartOut.org.

Originally Recorded August 16, 2022

 Julie Acker, CPA and Karen Behl, CPA explain ways to reduce stress during tax season. They explain simple, clear ways to navigate preparing and filing your taxes. 

Originally Recorded February 15, 2021 

 Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars 

 Blanche Shaheen, Reed Dohmen and Adel B. Korkor, M.D. discuss how food can be used as medicine. To help improve your mental and physical health.

Blanche Shaheen is a TV host/journalist turned cooking show host, cookbook author, and food columnist. She was the host of the PBS independent film/documentary show, Video I for ten years, an on-air correspondent on ABC, a tech reporter for G4 Television, and news anchor for Link Media's program: Mosaic, World News of the Middle East. Blanche now focuses on her passion on preserving Middle Eastern recipes and culture through her YouTube show called "Feast in the Middle East." Her goal has been to break down stereotypes of Arabs, humanize Palestinians, and inspire dialogue between the Arab world and the west. Her instructional cooking videos share heirloom recipes that her Palestinian family has passed down to her through the generations, as well as modern shortcuts for today's busy cook. She is the author of the cookbook called "Feast In The Middle East," a food columnist for the San Jose Mercury News and digital magazine Arab America, as well as a cooking instructor. Her YouTube channel, BlancheTV, has about 70,000 subscribers, and her cooking show has been featured on Virgin America Airlines in flight entertainment,NBC News, Fox News and BBC International.

Reed Dohmen is responsible for executing growth strategies and identifying ways to create and increase value for organizational stakeholders. He has led the screening and evaluation of both acquisition and partnership opportunities and contributes to iterative business planning through qualitative research and financial modeling. His past experience includes work as an investment banker at New York Bay Capital, where he specialized in cross-border M&A advisory. Reed received his Bachelors in Business Administration majoring in Finance and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Originally Recorded December 14, 2021 

 Andy Saeger CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, private wealth advisor at BMO Private Bank discusses strategies for budgeting to help reduce stress around holiday spending. 

Originally Aired November 11, 2020 

Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars 

 Mohammad is a neuroscientist, physician, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and director of the Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative at Al-Quds University in Palestine, and research scientist at Rutgers University in the USA. Mohammad obtained an M.D. degree from Al-Quds University, Palestine in 2009, and a Ph.D. in behavioral and neural sciences from Rutgers University, USA in 2015. His research focuses on the identification of neural and cognitive markers for the diagnosis of mental ill-health and brain disorders. Through the Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative, Mohammad aims to create a powerhouse for neuroscience research in Palestine, train the next generation of Palestinian scientists and entrepreneurs, and help educate patients and their families about mental and brain health in Palestine and worldwide. In 2011, Mohammad received the Young Arab Neuroscientist Award. In 2013, he received the TED Fellowship, and made the 500 Most Powerful Arabs in the World list by Arabian Business. In 2016, Mohammad was selected for the Lancet Commission for Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development. In 2019, Mohammad was named as a Fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. His work was featured by Forbes, Science Magazine, Nature, and TED Conferences.

Originally Aired November 18, 2020 

 Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars/ 

Robert S. LaGrant CFP®, Vice President-Client Advisor at J.P. Morgan Private Bank breaks down the basics of investing and planning for your future.

Originally Aired December 16, 2020 

 Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars/ 

 Terry McGuire is the founder of Giving Voice to Mental Illness, Inc. and the Giving Voice to Depression podcast. Her weekly depression podcast has been listened to more than 607,000 times in over 50 countries around the world. So listen to Terry's story about her struggles with depression and how she is helping people cope with depression.

Originally Recorded October 8, 2021 

 Presentation slides can be found at https://adelbkorkorfoundation.org/webinars/