On Wednesday, April 2, The President’s Advisory Council (PAC) held its Real Talk Conference in the Miron Student Center (MSC) from 10 A.M. to 1:15 P.M. and moved to the North Ave. Academic Building (NAAB) to welcome keynote speaker, rapper, and mental awareness advocate G Herbo.

The Real Talk Conference was about giving students the rundown on real-life responsibilities and what it takes to be the best they can be.

The day began at Check-In in the MSC atrium, where students were given free merchandise and other resources on what Kean offers. In the Greek Lounge, students had the chance to have free professional headshots taken, sponsored by PAC and The Office of Belonging and Community Engagement.

Students gathered in MSC 228 for breakfast and an opening introduction to the day’s agenda by PAC Co-Chairs Angel Ihie and Delia Latini and Kean’s Chief Well-Being Officer, Erika Charles.

“Your well-being is foundational to your success,” said Charles as she introduced the morning speaker, Asa Dugger.

Dugger is a Kean Alumna and a first-generation student from Cherry Hill, NJ, who has found success in her career as a content creator and strategist. In her presentation, she went through her journey from undergrad to her professional career and discussed the four key values of legacy and success: discipline, community vulnerability, and perseverance. 

“If you can’t walk today, at least crawl, and if you can’t crawl, you better roll…just keep moving,” Dugger advised.

After the powerful speaker, students were moved into break-out sessions with speakers Ayannah Johnson, Senior Director of North America who discussed life in a corporate job, and Brittany Claybrook, former East Orange Council Member who spoke about intersectionality and her journey as an urban planner.

“It’s important to know that your voice is important,” said Claybrook.

Following the morning’s speakers, students took a small break for lunch but were then looped back in with Morgan Webster founder of Wechpin who gave tips on starting a business, and businessman Isaiah Scott, who talked about the importance of fitness and nutrition.

Soon after, the day’s Keynote Speaker was finally introduced to the group of awaiting students in NAAB.

Famous for his rapping, G Herbo came to Kean to speak on his advocacy for mental health awareness.

“Mental health, and the importance of mental health and the things that we go through is so swept under the rug, you know so [stigmatized] nowadays.”

He even briefly spoke of why he began Swerving Through Stress, an initiative that fights to destigmatize the conversation around mental health and provide wellness services to communities of color.

“I decided to launch my initiative Swerving Through Stress when I actually started to go see a therapist.”

The rapper was transparent about his harsh upbringing and mental health journey.

“I didn’t really understand what I was feeling and the reason why I was feeling this way,” he explained. “I started to talk to a therapist, and I got clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

The musical artist stressed the importance of being completely honest with yourself and who you seek help from. He also encouraged attendees to find an outlet that created a peaceful environment and positively distracted them from their troubles. For him, basketball and music were his forms of therapy and a way of escape from his surroundings.

“If you have an outlet or you’re passionate about something that drives you to, you know, want to be great or be a better person you should hold to that,” stated G Herbo. “Growing up basketball was one of my outlets where I was able to express myself early on”.

G Herbo also motivated students to acknowledge their problems and face them, because being in denial will only make the situation worse. In the end, dedication and bravery are worth the reward. The artist looks for motivation in his faith, family, and friends to get him through tough times.

“Me just doing what I’m doing and putting my best foot forward to make sure that I’m protecting my children,” he said. “I want my children to work hard at something, but I want to, you know, like, I feel like, if I don’t make their job easier, their life easier for them to go and conquer the world and do whatever it is they want to do, then I didn’t really do my job as a father.”

Towards the end of the Real Talk Conference, G Herbo advised Kean students to prioritize their time and goals. His passion for mental health awareness shined through. He shared that we cannot take time for granted and that every moment in our young adult lives matters. 

“You just can’t be in denial… you have to recognize the problem and what you’re going through to get out of that situation and want better for yourself.” The rapper concluded. “You can’t take life for granted.”