Community Conversations

Mayor Keith A. James' Roundtable Series

Mayor Keith A. James is taking the lead in addressing critical issues that affect the residents of West Palm Beach. Through a series of roundtable discussions, Mayor James is bringing together community and regional leaders, and subject experts to seek solutions. This month, the Mayor is leading panels on mental health and the property insurance crisis.

Residents are encouraged to attend and participate.

Mayor James and a Panel of Experts Discuss the Plight of the Homeless

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James spearhead a critical discussion on homelessness as part of his ongoing "Community Conversations" series. The gathering was held Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in the third floor auditorium at the Mandel Public Library.

Mayor Keith A. James recognizes the urgency of addressing homelessness and believes that collaborative efforts are essential to finding innovative solutions. The roundtable discussion brought together influential leaders from various sectors to identify and discuss approaches to tackling the pressing issues surrounding homelessness in West Palm Beach.

The distinguished panel of participants included:

  • Keith A. James, West Palm Beach Mayor
  • Jeff DeMario, CEO, Vita Nova
  • James Green, Palm Beach County Community Services Director
  • Dr. Tomara Mays, CEO, Homeless Coalition
  • Shannon Nazworth, Chair, Florida Homelessness Council
  • Allie Severino, West Palm Beach Homeless Outreach Supervisor
  • Diana Stanley, CEO, The Lord's Place

A Discussion on Mental Health, held on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023

Mayor Keith A. James assembled a panel of community leaders and experts on Thursday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. at the Mandel Public Library Auditorium, Third Floor, 411 Clematis Street, for a critical discussion on mental health issues affecting the City of West Palm Beach and neighboring communities.

The discussion is the first of a new Roundtable Series being launched by Mayor James to highlight issues facing West Palm Beach residents and the community.

This panel discussed:

  • Mental Health Policy Initiatives: Brainstorming innovative approaches and solutions to improve mental health services and support at the local level.
  • Advocating for Financial Transparency: Advocate for greater transparency in the allocation of funds for mental health resources at the federal and state levels; seeking to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to meet the pressing mental health needs of the community.
  • Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Foster collaboration among stakeholders, the discussion aims to develop comprehensive and holistic strategies to address mental health challenges.
  • Community Awareness and Engagement: Raise awareness about mental health and engage organizations in collaborative efforts to support individuals in need.
  • Inclusivity and Outreach: Discuss ways to provide support to marginalized and under-served populations struggling with mental health challenges.

The panel included:

  • West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James
  • U.S. Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL, 22nd)
  • Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss
  • Deputy Chief Assistant Alexcia Cox - State Attorney's Office
  • Chief Diana Matty - West Palm Beach Fire Chief
  • Captain Randy Foley - Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
  • President Fabiola Brumley -- Bank of America Palm Beach County
  • Chief Medical Officer Belma Andric - Health Care District of Palm Beach County
  • Chief of Equity and Wellness Keith Oswald - Palm Beach County School District
  • Behavioral and Mental Health Director Mary Claire Mucenic - Palm Beach County School District
  • Chief Executive Officer Katherine Murphy - NAMI PBC

The Property Insurance Crisis, Held on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023

Mayor Keith A. James held his second "Community Conversation" on Monday, Sept. 11 at Flagler Gallery at 3 p.m. discussing the ongoing Property Insurance Crisis.

West Palm Beach Mayor James brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, insurance professionals, and community representatives, to identify common challenges and explore potential solutions.

Roundtable Speakers included:

  • West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James
  • County Commissioner Mack Bernard
  • State Senator Bobby Powell
  • State Representative Mike Caruso
  • Chief of Communications, Legislative, & External Affairs Christine Ashburn - Citizen's Property Insurance
  • Department of Financial Services, Southeast Florida Regional Manager, Lucdwin Luck
  • Manager of Resiliency and Climate Change, West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability, Penelope Redford.
Back to top