Mental health, vulnerability, and healing took center stage at DAER Nightclub inside Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as former NFL star Bryant McKinnie hosted “Another Evening of Cocktails & Conversation,” a powerful Mental Health Awareness event presented through his B Major Foundation.
The evening gathered athletes, entertainers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and advocates together for honest conversations surrounding depression, anxiety, trauma, emotional wellness, and the importance of speaking up — especially within Black and Brown communities where mental health conversations are often overlooked.
The panel featured an impressive lineup including Jessica Dime, Cheryl “Salt” James, Michael Oher, Dr. Tasha, Lathosha Alexander, Dr. Marvin K. Smith, Kimberly Bell, Marni Goldman, Stephon Marbury, and JoJo Simmons, all sharing personal experiences and perspectives about mental health and healing.
Before the panel discussion began, Bryant McKinnie spoke about what he hoped attendees would take away from the evening.
“I expect a lot of positivity,” McKinnie shared. “I expect people to be able to get over some things tonight because we do have therapists as well. You also get to hear stories from other people who’ve been in the limelight, and they get to share their story and journey of what they went through and how they got over it because other people are probably going through similar things.”
He continued with a message that became one of the biggest themes of the night:
“One thing I do know is that when people are going through depression, they feel like they are by themselves, but you’re not alone. You have to put yourself in a vulnerable space and speak up about it.”
McKinnie also opened up about the importance of protecting his own mental health.
“Working out makes me feel good. That’s a big part of my mental health,” he explained. “Also, knowing when to disconnect. Detach, take a break and relax — that’s very important as well.”
The former Super Bowl champion became especially candid when discussing the emotional pressure of constantly being viewed as the “strong” person everyone depends on.
“Being the person who everybody looks at as the strong individual who they always go to — it can wear you out,” he said. “I’m only one person, but everybody comes to you asking for assistance and asking you to do things, but you don’t have that person to go to. It’s like you are that person. Sometimes I need a little help too.”
McKinnie revealed that his experiences with teammates and loved ones inspired him to launch the B Major Foundation and begin creating spaces for these conversations.
“When I was going through things with my teammates, I was like we don’t talk about this enough,” he said. “Especially Black and Brown people and men of color and men in general. I feel like it was needed.”
He added that hearing how the event impacted others confirmed the importance of the mission.
“The first time I did it, I had a friend who reached out and told me how much it impacted her, and I wouldn’t have known because she always dressed up and put a smile on her face. I was like, okay, this is needed because you never know who is going through what.”
Reality television personality Jelaminah also emphasized why supporting mental health conversations matters deeply to her personally.
“This event is really important to me because I have a few family members that struggle with mental health and who actually have drug-induced psychosis,” she shared. “Just seeing the struggles within my own family and even within the Black community, I feel like it’s something we don’t talk about enough.”
She stressed the importance of making mental health discussions part of everyday life.
“When you have a large enough platform — and even if you don’t have a platform — these are things we need to be making a part of everyday conversations.”
Jelaminah also touched on the emotional challenges that can come with public visibility and social media attention.
“You don’t get to be as private with your life as you typically would be,” she explained. “A lot of times people come up, they want to take pictures. They don’t realize I’m still human. I’m trying to be normal just like everyone else.”
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when panelists were asked to share their personal “why” behind supporting mental health awareness.
Hip-hop legend Cheryl “Salt” James delivered a deeply personal reflection about growing up with mental illness inside her household.
“I grew up with my brother who was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic,” Salt revealed. “He was very violent and it was a lot of stuff that went on in the house for years and years. At that time we weren’t really seeking help, so we lived with it way longer than we should have.”
She explained that multiple women in her family were privately dealing with similar struggles without discussing them openly.
“I think it’s important to share with people that you trust and to be vulnerable and not make it a thing that you’re so ashamed of,” she said.
Salt also discussed participating in a book focused on mental health awareness.
“Me and 22 women wrote a book sharing stories. It’s called Mental Health Matters. It’s time to remove the stigma and the shame.”
She ended with a powerful reminder about the language society often uses around mental illness.
“We say words like ‘crazy,’ but people are dealing with chemical imbalances, depression, and all types of things that I feel like we should be sharing like we are today.”
Jessica Dime also reflected on the emotional toll of reality television and public criticism.
“Mentally, after Monday night, after Love & Hip Hop aired, I would have to deal with the comments,” she shared. “Strong mom. The strong wife. I feel like we need to share this more and stop making this taboo.”
Throughout the evening, the message remained clear: healing begins with honesty, vulnerability, and community support.
By creating a space where celebrities, athletes, therapists, and everyday people could openly discuss their experiences, Bryant McKinnie and the B Major Foundation helped normalize conversations that many people still struggle to have.
The event served as a reminder that mental health affects everyone — regardless of status, fame, or success — and that nobody should feel like they have to suffer in silence.
