Breaking the Silence: Addressing Problem Gambling in the African American Community
Includes a Live Web Event on 02/03/2026 at 3:00 PM (CST)
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Register
- General Registration - Free!
Please join us on February 3rd, 2026 from 3:00-4:00pm CT with Dr. Holly Sawyer!
Oftentimes, we are not aware of the warning signs of problem gambling in youth and adults. Gambling has a significant and often underrecognized impact within the African American community; affecting individuals, families, and overall community well-being. Factors such as targeted gambling advertising, economic disparities, limited access to culturally responsive mental health services, and stigma around seeking treatment contribute to increased vulnerability and delayed intervention.
Community-based education, faith-led initiatives, and integration of gambling disorder treatment into broader behavioral health services can reduce stigma and improve engagement. Addressing gambling harm in the African American community is essential to promoting health equity, strengthening families, and supporting long-term recovery.
Objectives:
- Understand Gambling in the African American community as a public health issue
- Identify Gambling Disorder impacts in the African American community
- Define diversity, identify and understand culturally responsive care and treatment strategies for African Americans families
Live and On Demand CE pending approval.
This training is sponsored in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.
ICPG workshops and trainings provide CEU (continuing education units) through the Illinois Certification Board based on approval for individual trainings.
The State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has approved all ICPG workshops and trainings as a Registered Social Worker CE Sponsor. This program is recognized as providing CE hours for: LSW/LCSW and LPC/LCPC under IDFPR license #159.001302.
The International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization recognizes ICPG as a preferred partner for workshops and trainings in line with the ICGC Level I & II.
Dr. Holly Sawyer
Dr. Holly Sawyer, affectionately known as Dr. Holly, is an author and scholar-practitioner as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor (CAADC), credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor (CASAC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) who specializes in substance and process addictions. She offers clinical supervision services to those seeking licensure. For over 20 years, she has been teaching in the areas of k-12, Adult Basic Education and Higher Education. She has been a Program Director and Assistant Clinical Professor of Drexel University’s Masters in Addictions Counseling (MAC) program in Philadelphia, a clinical director at an intensive outpatient treatment facility and a clinical supervisor of a methadone clinic. She is also an international mental health public speaker and has been featured in USA Today, on Philadelphia's Fox News 29 and more.
