Detroit artist Jonathan Harris is creating space for healing, reflection and honest conversation with “It’s Okay: A Community Mental Health & Art Experience,” a free event taking place Saturday, May 16, at Howard Family Bookstore on Detroit’s west side.
Hosted in collaboration with community organizer Dr. Dimen Isikwe, the event will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and bring together art, wellness and mental health advocacy through interactive programming designed to make emotional wellness conversations more accessible within the community.
The gathering also marks the official launch of Harris’ new therapeutic coloring book, “It’s Okay,” a project centered on healing, emotional expression and self-reflection. Guests will be able to purchase signed copies and hear directly from Harris about the inspiration behind the book and how art can help create safer pathways into conversations around mental health.
The coloring book uses illustration and affirming messages to explore themes including self-worth, peer pressure, emotional resilience and childhood experiences. Preview images from the project show collaborative coloring sessions and community-centered activities focused on mindfulness and emotional wellness.
In addition to the book launch, attendees can expect a community-driven Q&A with mental health professionals, anonymous audience-submitted questions focused on healing and relationships, wellness experiences led by Yoganic Flow, and access to local organizations sharing mental health resources. Food vendors and opportunities for community connection will also be part of the afternoon.
A featured highlight of the event is an interactive art installation created by Harris that encourages attendees to engage in reflection and honest dialogue around emotional wellness. Organizers say the goal is to create a welcoming environment where people feel seen, supported and encouraged to openly discuss mental health without judgment.
“This event is about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported,” Harris said in a statement. “Mental health conversations should be accessible, honest, and rooted in community. We wanted to create something that feels healing, creative, and real.”
The event will take place inside the newly opened Howard Family Bookstore, the Black-owned bookstore and café founded by Detroit native Jerjuan Howard. The bookstore, which officially opened in April, was created as a neighborhood gathering space centered on literacy, culture and community connection.
