Olympic Silver Medalist Raven Saunders Wows 6th Annual Kennedy Forum Audience

2020 Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist (shot put) Raven “Hulk” Saunders appeared as a highlighted speaker at The Kennedy Forum’s Sixth Annual Meeting, Our Words Matter: Harnessing the Power of Communications to Advance Mental Health Equity. Saunders, a two-time Olympian, has been an outspoken champion for the importance of mental health alongside fellow elite athletes such as Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and others. Saunder’s appeared in a virtual fireside chat-style conversation with LZ Granderson, celebrated OpEd Columnist, The Los Angeles Times.

2020 Olympics Silver Medalist, Raven “Hulk” Saunders (Photo Credit ©Zaid Hamid Photography 2021 provided courtesy of Leidos)

Aside from her latest Olympic appearance, Tokyo being her second, she’s won three NCAA collegiate titles in the shot put for the University of Mississippi, was a world junior medalist in 2014, and was the Pan American junior champion in 2015. She holds a personal record of 19.96 m for the shot put. At such an elite level, the mental pressures are enormous, and Raven is a fierce advocate for mental health due to her own personal challenges and triumphs.

According to the description of this year’s meeting of The Kennedy Forum: Today’s society is hindered by an unconscious, implicit bias that fuels discrimination against those living with mental health and substance use disorders. Our words often reflect that bias, perpetuating negative stereotypes. Thus, there is an urgent need for more thoughtful, accurate communications about mental health and addiction that will open minds, connect communities, and empower policymakers. Now, more than ever, we must take steps to understand, nurture, and advance the role of communications in the fight for mental health equity. Normalizing a national conversation is key to lasting change…

Saunder’s and Granderson delivered an awe-inspiring conversation that touched on her mental health journey beginning at a young age which included internal struggles in dealing with her sexuality, being ostracized for it, and publicly humiliated on several occasions as a youth. The chat explored the mental struggles of being an elite athlete, a near suicide attempt after her first Olympic appearance (Rio), and what brought her through to the present day. Granderson, who’s shared similar experiences throughout his life, skillfully guided Saunders through the conversation and helped her pull back the veil of mystery that often accompanies the life of one who struggles with mental health issues.

You may view the complete conversation here courtesy of The Kennedy Forum YouTube, which highlights other key segments from this year’s meeting.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.