We live in a world of 24/7 news cycles, social media feeds, viral misinformation, and AI-generated content — and it's taking a real toll on our mental health. How do we protect ourselves and our families? How do we help our young people navigate online harassment and cyberbullying? And what tools can we actually trust?
Join BRAVE Communities for an open, honest, and empowering conversation led by subject matter experts and local organizations working at the intersection of mental health, technology, and community wellbeing. This event is for everyone — parents, young people, educators, neighbors, and anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the digital world.
And, to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the second half of the event will be ta joyful cultural activation featuring Bollywood dance and henna art...honoring movement, creativity, and community as pathways to healing.
Bring your friends, family, and neighbors. Come ready to listen, share, shake all the distracting noise away, and leave with real tools, resources, and Bollywood moves to brighten your month!
Event Details:
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Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
π Location: DAWA HQ | 916 Springdale Rd - Bldg. 4, #109
π Time: 1:30-3:30PM CT, Doors open at 1:00PM
π Free with RSVP - Space is limited, so RSVP today to secure your spot now!
ποΈChildren's Corner with games and crafts - all ages welcomed!
πͺ Community Marketplace showcasing local underrepresented entrepreneurs and organizations.
Anticipated Agenda:
1:00 PM Doors Open, Networking, Community Marketplace, & Henna (first come-first serve)
1:30 PM Welcome & Panel Discussion Begins
~2:30 PM Henna Explanation and Bollywood Dance Showcase & Dance Lessons
~3:15 PM Followed by Networking
Guest Speakers & Artists:
- Coach Roxy, an NLP and hypnosis coach who helps people break the patterns they feel stuck in—whether it’s addiction, emotional triggers, or self-sabotage. Her work blends lived experience with subconscious rewiring to help individuals regulate their nervous system and rebuild self-trust. She is the founder of Pocket Hypnosis™, a voice-based tool for lasting internal change.
- Rasikapriya Krishna, an undergraduate psychology and anthropology major attending the University of Texas at Austin, intending to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology. With over 500 hours of research experience under her belt, Rasika is interested in the fantasy/reality distinction and theory of mind in children aged 3-10, as well as school-based interventions to improve attention and well-being in students. As a research assistant in the Applied Psychology Lab, under Dr. Alissa Mrazek and Dr. Michael Mrazek, Rasika assists with the maintenance of Finding Focus, an evidence-based K–12 attention and well-being platform.
- Krystal Tristan, is Founder and CEO of OneHaven. She spent nearly 20 years leading large-scale tech and operations programs for Fortune 500 companies. Her background spans cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, compliance, and managing teams across time zones and regulatory frameworks. What drives her now? Being a parent. OneHaven is rooted in her firsthand experience raising three kids in a digital world and not being able to find a tool that actually felt like it had her back.
- Grace Brooks, panel moderator, BYL Alumnae, a local community activist who focuses on voter engagement and solidarity for underserved communities. She is an annual VDR and is continues to learn and build with others to bring communities together to fight against injustice systems in Texas. Grace loves to attend political community engagement events to meet her neighbors and learn from those before her.
- Sway with Pray Bollywood Dance, Prayrana Sharama honed her skills through nine years of rigorous training at the Shiamak Dance Academy in India, where she absorbed the foundations of dance with discipline and grace. Sway with Pray is a space where Bollywood dance meets joy, inclusivity, and artistry.
- Royal Henna Art, Anu Singh elevates every moment with Henna artistry. Simple, elegant art that makes every occasion feel special.
This is a FREE community event. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help cover event refreshments and sustain BRAVE’s youth-led initiatives throughout the year. 2026 Partnerships available for our quarterly community events + youth initiatives.
DAWA is ADA accessible and .2 miles from Govalle/Gunter CapMetro stop.
Please contact us for any translation and interpretation needs.
Interested in Volunteering at this event? Volunteer hours available for approval.
Interested in being a vendor? Limited space available)
This project is supported in part by the Elevate grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME). and our recurring BRAVE members and donors. Please consider being part of the BRAVE fabric by attending and supporting our events.
Consent to Use of Photographic Images
Registration and attendance at BRAVE Communities Connections constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendees' image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities by BRAVE Communities. If you or anyone in your party does not consent to be in photographic images, please let a BRAVE team member know at the event upon arrival.
