Beyond Inclusion Conference 2025: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges

On Friday, February 28th, the Oxford Community Center Inc. hosted a packed house for the second annual Beyond Inclusion conference, bringing together speakers with lived experience to share insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This year’s theme, Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges, highlighted the challenges and opportunities in behavioral health access for LGBTQ+, People of Color, African American, Deaf, and Latinx communities.

The event marked Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.’s first live-streamed conference on Facebook, engaging a wide online audience. Attendees participated in meaningful discussions on barriers to care and innovative solutions to improve behavioral health services. The day opened with a moving performance of Rescue by Easton Middle School student Stefany Fernandez, followed by welcoming remarks from Kay Brown, Assistant Director of the Water’s Edge Museum.

The Beyond Inclusion conference continues to foster critical conversations, strengthen connections, and promote equity in behavioral health care across diverse communities.