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Southwest hosts caring conversations in wake of Tyre Nichols’ death

By Chris Caldwell 

(Top L-R) Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall, Mental Health Coordinator Kimberly Weddington, (Bottom L-R) Police Services/Public Safety Associate Director Ernest Greenleaf and Mental Health Coordinator Sharael Royal during the College’s virtual Caring Conversations forum on Tyre Nichols’ death.
(Top L-R) Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall, Mental Health Coordinator Kimberly Weddington; (Bottom L-R) Police Services/Public Safety Associate Director Ernest Greenleaf and Mental Health Coordinator Sharael Royal at the Caring Conversations virtual forum on Tyre Nichols’ death.

In the wake of Tyre Nichols’ death, a 29-year-old black Memphian who was brutally beaten to death on Jan. 7, 2023, by Memphis police officers, Southwest convened two fora for students and employees where they could have candid and caring conversations concerning the tragic event.  

"I hear your concerns and feelings during this tragedy in our city," Southwest Tennessee Community College President Tracy D. Hall said. "We wanted to create this space for our community to come and collectively share your thoughts, feelings and have open conversations about this tragedy. We are here to provide each of you with the support and resources needed to help you now and in the future."

The first open discussion, called Caring Conversations: Mental Health Support in the Wake of the Tyre Nichols Tragedy, was a virtual dialogue held on Feb. 2 with Dr. Hall, Mental Health Coordinator Kimberly Weddington, Police Services/ Public Safety Associate Director Ernest Greenleaf and Mental Health Coordinator Sharael Royal.  

Weddington and Royal offered professional advice and tips on coping strategies and emotional healing. Greenleaf provided insight on how the incident impacted police officers and what should have been done to prevent the tragedy from happening.

A second forum, "A Conversation with Chairman Mickell Lower," was convened on Feb. 7 at the Union Avenue Campus, where Shelby County Commissioner Chairman Mickell Lowery spoke to students on police brutality, police reform and what can be done to raise awareness in local communities regarding policing.

"These conversations are hard. These conversations are never easy, but they are conversations we need to have," Lowery said. "You will become the new leaders one day, and we can't sweep these issues under the rug. We can't just keep turning the page in a city known for violence. We must be that change."

(Top L-R) Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall, Mental Health Coordinator Kimberly Weddington, (Bottom L-R) Police Services/Public Safety Associate Director Ernest Greenleaf and Mental Health Coordinator Sharael Royal during the College’s virtual Caring Conversations forum on Tyre Nichols’ death.
Shelby County Commissioner Chairman Mickell Lowery holds
a Saluqi t-shirt in front of the men’s and women’s basketball
teams at his open forum on the Tyre Nichols tragedy.

See below to contact Southwest’s mental health professionals.  

Kimberly Weddington 
Union Avenue Campus, B Building Room 227
901-333-5121
kweddington@southwest.tn.edu

Sharael Royal 
Macon Campus, Farris Building Suite 2160, Office 2168
901-333-5272 
smroyal@southwest.tn.edu

For information on booking counseling appointments or resources, visit the Counseling and Social Services department.