Positively Caviar Awarded $10,000 Grant to Combat Mental Health

Baltimore, MD - Positively Caviar, Inc. (PCI) was named a winner of the Baltimore Elevation Awards and received a $10,000 grant from the Baltimore Corps. This award allows personalized support to people of color who are Baltimore City residents piloting novel approaches to strengthen Baltimore communities.

The grant will allow Positively Caviar to continue the work of combating the mental health crisis by providing youth with an informative and interactive space to discuss mental wellness strategies to counter stress and adversity. PCI does not intend to replace formal mental health programs; instead, we complement them. Rather than mental health being a dark place to discuss negative emotions, the workshops are focused on shining a light on mental wellness. At the conclusion of the 11-month grant period, awardees will have the opportunity to showcase their projects to prospective funders.

Baltimore Corp’s mission is to enlist talent to accelerate social innovation in Baltimore and advance a citywide agenda for equity and racial justice and The Elevation Awards aim to directly leverage the assets of communities to pioneer new solutions in social entrepreneurship. As a result, leaders of the community will be more apt to provide solutions and support the early-stage pipeline of social entrepreneurs in Baltimore.

“Uplifting youth through actionable steps to increase mental wellness has always been the driving force to our organization and is needed now more than ever,” said Shayma Sulaiman, Chief Program Officer of PCI. “ We are honored to receive the Baltimore Elevation Award and we are so grateful to Baltimore Corps for truly believing in our vision.”

Positively Caviar, Inc. (PCI) focuses on using positive thinking and optimism as a vehicle to instill mental resilience and disrupt mental health stigmas in underserved communities. PCI provides science-based mental wellness workshops rooted in positive psychology to provide preventative strategies to curb stress and increase overall wellbeing.

For more information please visit: positivelycaviar.com

Positively Caviar Hosts Virtual Mental Wellness Workshop with Students of Northern Virginia Community College

On Thursday, October 8th Positively Caviar, Inc. was invited to host their signature B.U.I.L.D Mental Wellness virtual workshop with the students of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). To help combat prevalent mental stressors Positively Caviar, Inc. interactively engaged with the students to discuss strategies on how to overcome negative self-talk, subdue adversity, and build mental resilience.

Courtesy of Positively Caviar, Inc.

COVID-19 has completely reshaped the college student atmosphere which requires most students to learn from home as opposed to in the classroom. Other factors, including midterms, the upcoming presidential election, and racial injustices happening in America have made it difficult for students to focus on their schoolwork while also reducing mental and emotional stress originating from external sources.

Through the workshop, Positively Caviar shared mental health strategies, activities, and resources to help students maintain a positive mindset. Team members shared the importance of affirmations, self-compassion, and regular meditation to help combat human minds in ruminating over fears, future, anxiety, and the past. Resources provided to student participants included meditation apps like Calm or Headspace and books that serve as a guide to help participants navigate a positive lifestyle.

“Positively Caviar, Inc. did a stellar job putting theory to practice and made the presentation very conversational,” said Courtland James, Coordinator of Student Life & Interim High School Outreach Coordinator. “I believe the students along with myself were able to take away a more positive mindset and a better outlook on life. The team was very relatable, informative, and unequivocally thought-provoking throughout the entire workshop.”

Positively Caviar continues to conduct virtual mental wellness workshops through Zoom with various schools and youth organizations during COVID-19. If you are interested in partnering with Positively Caviar, Inc., or if you have any questions about their mental wellness workshops, please visit positivelycaviar.com or email info@staybasedandpositive.com to find out more information.

Positively Caviar Partners with Best Kids, Inc. for B.U.I.L.D. Workshop

Washington, DC (January 26, 2019) - On Saturday, January 26th Positively Caviar, Inc. joined forces with Best Kids to facilitate a B.U.I.L.D Self-Empowerment Workshop at the Frances A. Gregory Library in Washington, DC. During this time Positively Caviar created a fun, safe, and positive environment amongst foster children and their mentors to promote all of the necessary qualities in making decisions for a positive, healthy, and purposeful life.

BEST Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides mentoring to foster care children in the District of Columbia’s Child Welfare System. Through their one-on-one volunteer mentoring, our extensive training, staff support and our experiential-learning-based peer group, this program empowers youth in foster care to build better futures, one child at a time. The Best Kids organization often works in collaboration with other community partners to help fulfill their mission.

 Positively Caviar coordinated a B.U.I.L.D (Being Unique Individuals by Learning and Developing) workshop for about 13 participants ages 6 – 11 from the Best Kids program. Children and their mentors had the opportunity to learn about mental resilience and positivity through activities/discussions which included: The Power of Yet, Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset, the importance of gratitude, and Family Feud (their personal favorite). The session ended with a mediation session amongst all everyone in attendance.

The Positively Caviar team enjoyed spreading influence and positivity through the children and their mentors from the Best Kids organization. For more information or to find out how to partner with Positively Caviar on future programs, please click here or contact us at info@staybasedandpositive.com 

Positively Caviar Fights Mental Health at the HBCU5K

On Saturday, June 30th Positively Caviar participated in the 6th Annual HBCU 5K Run/2K Walk at Howard University. More than 12 volunteers joined The Positively Caviar Team to run with a purpose and engage with the community sharing information about the organization.

The Washington, DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance, Inc.’s (DCHBCUAA) community hosts the HBCU Alumni Community Day Presented by XFINITY with a mission is to improve the health and well-being of our communities. Their overall efforts are aimed at reducing health disparities that are pervasive in predominantly African American communities. With an effort to addressing the social determinants of health, their program focuses on priority areas are Health & Wellness, Hunger Awareness, and Higher Education. By leveraging the full value of the Alumni Alliance, they educate the community, provide financial resources, offer volunteers, and work strategically with our community partners to make a measurable impact to address the following issues: health, hunger, and education.

Volunteer and Positively Caviar supporter, Melissa Pearson, expressed her excitement about participating in the HBCU 5K Run. “It was such an amazing experience to work with an organization that embodies what they are passionate about. Positively Caviar attracted a large crowd during the 5K race, simply because the leaders of their organization naturally spread authentic positivity. When you are struggling with mental health disorders, trying to adjust your mindset to focus on the positive things in your life is necessary. The leaders of Positively Caviar ran for a cause. They ran to instill that positivity back into our culture.”

Running to help fight mental illness aligns with the core values of Positively Caviar. The organization will continue participating in the HBCU5K annually, on a much larger scale next year.

For more information or to find out how to partner with Positively Caviar on future programs, please click here or contact us at info@staybasedandpositive.com 

Positively Caviar Joins The Garden of Prayer Christian Church for Youth Day 2K18

On June 15, 2018, Positively Caviar participated in a Youth Day seminar at The Garden of Prayer Christian Church in Baltimore, MD. Children and young adults ages 6 - 20 had the opportunity to engage in a thought-provoking conversation based on the subject of fear.

Youth Day is an event that takes place in various Christian churches and denominations. This annual event is used to focus on the youth in the church and give them a platform to learn more and encourage them to live their best life. The order of events for Youth Day at the Garden of Prayer Christian Church included icebreakers, our high-intensity speaking engagement, and a round robin of questions from the audience.

The theme of Youth Day 2K18 was “I Have No Reason to Fear” giving the Positively Caviar Team the opportunity to speak to youth and families in Baltimore City about the science of positivity & optimism, overcoming fears, and gaining resilience. Shayma Sulaiman, Chief Program Officer, and Chazz Scott, Chief Creative Optimist, exposed the youth and their families to strategies and tips to reach their fullest potential in life such as: instilling habits to wake up early, how to use “the power of yet”, how to overcome fear, a healthy diet, and the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships. 

Positively Caviar was extremely excited to be a part of this motivational and encouraging event. “It was really humbling to bring people from all ages and all walks of life together to discuss the topic of fear”, said Shayma.” “Although every individual has his or her own separate path we were able to discuss the reasons we fear, the science of fear, and ultimately how to overcome it.” For more information or to find out how to partner with Positively Caviar on future programs, please click here or contact us at info@staybasedandpositive.com.

Positively Caviar Inspires Young Women at Cherry Hill Middle School

On November 21, 2017, Positively Caviar, Inc. visited Cherry Hill Middle School in Baltimore Maryland, to lead an inspiring B.U.I.L.D workshop. Founder, Chazz Scott and Chief Program Officer, Shayma Sulaiman were able to fulfill their duty of inspiring, motivating, empower the young girls that attend this school.

Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School is an institution located in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. With high crime and poverty rates in this community, Positively Caviar realized the need to provide a workshop centered around maintaining an optimistic lifestyle and mindset. Students were exposed to a fun, creative, and positive environment where they had the opportunity to express themselves.

During the session, the young women of Cherry Hill Middle School were able to participate in B.U.I.L.D (Being Unique Individuals while Learning and Developing) activities including but not limited to:

• The Power of Yet
• What do you love about yourself?
• Circle of Positivity

By the end of the workshop, the young ladies were encouraged to be their best self and continue down the road of success.

“It was such a refreshing experience to see how engaged the girls were”, Shayma proclaimed. “They all want so much out of life I wish nothing but the absolute best for each one of them.”

For more information or to find out how to work with us, please contact our Chief Program Officer Shayma Sulaiman at info@staybasedandpositive.com 

Positively Caviar, Inc. and Spiked Spin Partner for “Spin For Positivity”

New York, NY (October 10, 2017) – Positivity is more than just a noun, and fitness is more than just a trend… it’s a lifestyle. On September 23, 2017, Positively Caviar, Inc and Spiked Spin joined forces to execute a “Spin for Positivity” cycling event.  Missions collided as both parties discussed the importance of generational health, maintaining mental resilience/physical strength, and the impact that positivity can have on your overall well-being.  

Founder of Spiked Spin, Briana Owens, created her platform by wanting to fill the void of diversity within the boutique fitness industry. By doing so she formed a space where men and women are able to cycle in an atmosphere that is non-judgmental, accepting, and encouraging of their individual journeys.

Riders joined the session excited to ride for a cause with Positively Caviar and Spiked Spin not realizing the overall total body experience this session would have on their mental and physical health. By the end of the class, all riders were able to truly experience what it means to “Spin for Positivity.” Attendees enjoyed an hour-long turned up, energy filled spin class infused with some of the best hip-hop hits to-date followed by a brief mindfulness session that encouraged everyone to extend their experience further than the bike. Each Spiked Spin class is closed with reflection, love, affirmation, positivity, and community which aligns 100% with what is Positively Caviar. “It feels so good to witness the impact of positivity in the lives of others,” exclaimed Co-Founder, Chief Creative Marketing Officer, Nikki Abraham.

Positively Caviar concluded the event by reinforcing their mission of positivity with a brief interactive giveaway and huge thank you to the participants and instructor, Briana Owens. Please visit SpikedSpin.com to find out more about their platform and to sign up for a Spiked Spin session. Also, visit Staybasedandpositive.com to find out more about Positively Caviar, Inc. and how you can support their mission of positivity.