2023 Annual Celebration
The Annual Celebration is Mental Health Advocacy Services’ largest event of the year bringing together attorneys, mental health professionals, advocates, supporters, and community members to honor those fighting to protect and advance the rights of people with mental health disabilities.
This year’s Annual Celebration will be held as an in-person event in West Los Angeles.
The New Center for Psychoanalysis
2014 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Sunday, October 22, 2023
3PM | Registration & Cocktail Hour
4PM | Awards Ceremony
2023 HONOREES
This year, Mental Health Advocacy Services is thrilled to honor two distinguished advocates for their outstanding contributions to the field of mental health.
Keris Jän Myrick is a leading mental health advocate and executive, known for her innovative and inclusive approach to mental health reform and the public disclosure of her personal story (as featured in the New York Times series: Lives Restored). Ms. Myrick has over 15 years of experience in mental health services innovations, transformation, and peer workforce development. She is known for her collaborative style and innovative “whole person” approach to mental health. She is the developer and host of the podcast “Unapologetically Black Unicorns” focusing on mental health, race equity and lived experience. Ms. Myrick was formerly the Chief of Peer and Allied Health Professions for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and has served as the Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the United States Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was the Board President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Myrick is a Co-Editor of the Journal of Psychiatric Services “Lived Experience and Leadership” column and has authored numerous peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Metta World Peace played professional basketball for 19 years. He won the NBA World Championship with the LA Lakers in June 2010 and received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award – the NBA’s highest citizenship and community service honor – in April 2011. He was selected to the 2005-06 NBA’s All-Defensive Team, was voted by the media as 2003-04 NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and was the only man with 271 steals in his first two seasons in the NBA, breaking Michael Jordan’s record. Metta World Peace is also known as a prominent mental health advocate, pop culture personality, philanthropist, and media favorite. He raffled off his 2010 NBA World Championship Ring with the proceeds going to his nonprofit, Xcel University (now known as Artest University). The online ring raffle raised more than $650,000. Funds were donated to nonprofits in 5 cities that provide mental health therapists and mental health services to their communities, and to provide scholarships to underprivileged youth in the New York City area.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, TICKETS, AND TRIBUTES
Low-income people with mental health disabilities are much more likely to succeed in fighting housing discrimination, accessing public benefits, and connecting to other community resources when they have a legal advocate by their side. Your support helps Mental Health Advocacy Services ensure that our clients have the dignity, respect, and quality of life that they deserve.
All sponsors and their guests are invited to join us in-person at the event. MHAS does not limit the number of guests a sponsor can bring. If you are unable to attend the event, your ticket will be extended as a complimentary ticket to one of our community partners.
Our Sponsorship Packet includes a complete list of benefits, including tickets and tributes. To confirm your contribution, fill out page 6 of our Sponsorship Packet or visit our online event page.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
DIAMOND
EMERALD
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
Alston & Bird LLP
Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP
Calini
City National Bank
Crowell & Moring LLP
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp
BRONZE
Anne Preis
Areta Crowell
David Bower & Francis Ryu
John Preis & Allison Cheffer
Law Office of Jeanette Laba
Palatine Capital Partners
Psych-Appeal
Richard Chernick
Supervisor Hilda Solis
Sycamores
Vanaman German LLP