Art for Planetary Health Creative Catalyst Workshop Series

Dawud Hasan | Facilitator

Founder of Diamond Minds, a community service organization specializing in creating unique events and programs in underserved communities. Programs like the Star Dust Project, San Diegos Hip Hop Health and Wellness 5k and Festival and The Ryan Bowers You Are Not Alone Suicide Prevention run, walk and skate in ocean beach.

Daj’ahn A. Blevins | Panelist

Daj’ahn A. Blevins worked as a Behavior Modification Specialist for 35 years and continues using theatre, heritage, and cultural enrichment, and creative nontraditional interventions to help bring about change. He graduated from Texas College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences. He continued his education at San Diego State University in Sociology and Performing Arts. Mr. Blevins also continues to serve as a Community Health Educator for for San Diego African American youth families and community, where he incorporates development, education, health, social skills, cultural empowerment , and entertainment. In 1990, Dajahn was crowned Mr. Black San Diego and pledged to be an engineer for change in elevating the appreciation and love for Black culture, heritage, art and talent in San Diego. He established a Saturday morning School, S.Y.B.U. (Shule ya Busura na Umoja), or the School of Foresight & Unity, to address the lack of positive Black cultural resources in San Diego. An accomplished actor, singer, dancer, playwright, director, and producer, Dajahn has been involved in numerous acclaimed projects, including the annual Kuumba Fest Celebration at the Lyceum Theater, a celebration of Black culture, heritage, art and talent. For over 30 years, he has led the event in partnership with the San Diego Repertory Theater and the African American Advisory Council of San Diego, showcasing the richness of African American culture, art, and talent. Mr. Blevins serves as a Commissioner for Arts & Culture with the City of San Diego and has been a tireless advocate for culture & art and the creation of the San Diego Black Arts and Cultural District where he is an active member of the advisory committee.

Rebecca Smith | Panelist

Working across business, education, arts, and nonprofits, Rebecca Smith is a community leader based in San Diego. Through her consulting practice, Above & Beyond Productions, Rebecca customizes organizational strategy approaches for nonprofit executives, corporate teams, and education leaders. Recent clients include the American Automobile Association (AAA), Reality Changers, SAY San Diego, Cuyamaca College, San Diego State University, Salvation Army, County of Santa Clara, MiraCosta College, MANPOWER, Volunteers in Medicine, and the Kinship Fund.. She was featured in Canvas Rebel and Bold Voyage in 2024. Rebecca served as an Art Commissioner with the City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture for ten years, and eight years with the Board of Directors of United Way of San Diego County. She was the 2023-2024 Performance Curator for TEDxSanDiego. Presently, she is on the Board of Directors for e3 Civic High., Her professional experience includes career advising and leadership development at QUALCOMM, communications and fundraising at High Tech High, human resources recruitment at Eastridge Workforce Solutions, and executive management at San Diego Workforce Partnership. She holds a Master of Education from University of San Diego. Rebecca launched her first art installation last year - “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker,” a photography exhibit celebrating artisan businesses, at the downtown gallery, Park & Market.

Mensa Bey | Panelist

Mensah Bey, a native of Richmond, VA, currently resides in San Diego, CA, where he explores the interplay between physical and virtual realms through his art practice. As a visual artist and muralist, he honed his skills in the vibrant art scene of Hampton Roads during his graduate studies, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University. As an educator, Bey emphasizes process-oriented thinking and art-making, viewing it as a pathway to successful creation.