Chester Pierce Symposium: Well-being in the Face of Adversity

On Tuesday, November 12th, join us at the Joseph Martin Conference Center Rotunda for the first annual Chester Pierce Symposium!

Dr. Chester Pierce left a lasting impact on the fields of psychiatry and social justice and is remembered as a pioneering advocate for mental health and civil rights. This symposium seeks to honor Dr. Pierce’s legacy in civil rights, social justice, and mental health, and emphasize his belief in the “lesser virtues” such as gentleness, kindness, cheerfulness, joy, and gratefulness.

Each year, the symposium will focus on a theme that addresses timely and relevant issues, aligning with current trends and concerns. In the current climate of social, political, and environmental challenges, it is imperative to discuss resilience, purpose, and positive well-being. Ongoing tensions and protests, deep-seated issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism, and looming political uncertainties make it imperative to discuss resilience, purpose, and positive well-being.

The theme for the 2024 symposium is “Well-being in the Face of Adversity.” This year’s symposium is envisioned with the objective of exploring how individuals, institutions, and communities can foster resilience amidst adversity.

In addition to a keynote lecture, the symposium will also include three panels that will bring together leading academics, corporate and community leaders, and activists to address this objective, and engage in active discussions throughout the day.