Community. Commitment. Collaboration.

Meridian’s Speaker Series was developed to bring community leaders, professionals, educators, and the general public together to discuss and identify issues surrounding community health. Through poignant guest speakers immersed in experiences related to identified topics and a discussion panel following, we enable and engage in conversation and discuss potential collaborative opportunities where people within the community can work together to build healthier outcomes for those in need.

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The 2022 Speaker Series featured former NBA player Chris Herren and Brain Health Advocate and Storyteller Kevin Hines.

Stay tuned for information regarding next year’s presenters for our annual Speaker Series. Check back here or follow us on Facebook for event announcements.

2022 Guest Speakers

Chris Herren – The Struggle with Addiction & Mental Illness

An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College, Fresno State, and in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction. His recovery journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded” and in countless local, national, and international stories by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Sports Illustrated.

Kevin Hines—Brain Health Advocate & Storyteller

Kevin Hines is an award-winning brain/mental health and suicide prevention activist, entrepreneur, multiple award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, international educator and speaker who reaches audiences with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (19 years of age), he attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only thirty-four to survive the fall, and the only one to regain full physical mobility. The fall would break his body, but not his spirit.

Today, Kevin dedicates his life to saving lives and encouraging others to seek help and spread empathy by spreading the message of hope and sharing his story. He is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience. Kevin’s story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love the life we have.