The Phi Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and UConn’s Melanin, Mind & Soul hosted “Vision Boards & Vibes,” a creative and reflective event where participants made personalized vision boards centered on mental health, healing and future goals on Monday, Nov. 3.
The purpose of this event was to promote mental wellness, self-reflection and personal empowerment through creative expression and goal setting, helping students visualize and manifest positivity and balance in their lives.
Attendees were encouraged to create vision boards that inspire peace, growth and purpose using the supplies provided, including paint, markers, canvases and printed images.
Attendees were also provided with optional prompts to help shape their vision boards, focusing on dreams and ambitions, overcoming barriers and fears, mental and emotional wellness, community and cultural pride and growth and self-definition.
They were encouraged to include images that focus on what they want in the future, both career-wise and in terms of mental health and were prompted to incorporate fears they want to face, replacing self-doubt with affirmations of their worth and power. Additionally, they were encouraged to include images and symbols that reflect rest, joy and practices that center their mental health. Pictures of flags from African countries were provided so, if desired, attendees could include some representations of cultural identity and pride.
The event focused on destigmatizing mental health and increasing awareness in African American communities. There was an additional emphasis placed on prioritizing the encouragement and empowerment of African American communities and “Black excellence.”
The event cultivated a very relaxing atmosphere where attendees could connect and communicate by bouncing ideas off each other, bonding over shared goals and sharing their final creations.
The overall goal of the event was to create an intentional, culturally grounded space where the boundaries and stigma about Black mental health could be broken.
“We wanted to have an event where people could destress from midterms and give them inspiration to look into their future as well as a space for people to connect and talk to each other,” said Shani Forte, third-semester communications major and member of Delta Sigma Theta. “The main takeaway from events like this is just that we’re all growing and trying to figure ourselves out and doing things like this can kind of give us a path,” Forte continued.
“Making this vision board has made my goals more clear,” said Salimah Young, third-semester psychology major.
Overall, the event reassured every attendee that their vision of their future is important and achievable.