NSLM x Nurture Mental Health Workshops: Preserving History While Healing the Community
October 1, 2026
Birmingham, AL — The Negro Southern League Museum (NSLM), in partnership with Nurture, Inc., is launching a series of community health and wellness events designed to support mental, emotional, and physical well‐being throughout Birmingham.
Josh Gibson, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Negro Leagues history, died at just 35 years old from a stroke. Many at the time believed Gibson was struggling mentally, not realizing he was exhibiting the symptoms of a brain tumor. His passing in 1947 - just months before Jackie Robinson integrated modern Major League Baseball - fueled widespread speculation that he had died from the emotional burden of not being chosen to break baseball’s color barrier.
Gibson’s misunderstood symptoms and the stigma surrounding mental health in his era reflect challenges that many individuals and families continue to face today. NSLM’s new wellness series aims to address these concerns in the historic setting of the museum which features legends like Gibson.
The next event in the series, Be Cancer Aware! will be held on October 10th, 2026. Led by Dr. Coretta Collins, this event is designed to increase cancer awareness, promote screening, encourage risk reduction, and address both physical and mental health aspects of cancer.
Upcoming Events in the Wellness Series
• “Be Cancer Aware!” — Sat, Oct 10, 2026, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, Negro Southern League Museum, 120 16th St S, Birmingham, AL
What cancer is and treatment options:
- Prevention vs. early intervention
- Common cancer types and screening tests
- Risk reduction strategies
- Mental health impacts of a cancer diagnosis
A community conversation aimed at increasing awareness of cancer risks, screenings, and prevention to support early detection and healthier outcomes.
This partnership between NSLM and Nurture, Inc. underscores the museum’s commitment not only to preserving the stories of Negro Leagues legends, but also to strengthening the community those stories come from. Together, they aim to reduce stigma, expand access to knowledge, and promote wellness across generations.
For more information about event times, registration, or media inquiries, please contact Nurture, Inc. founder and director, Crystal Mullen Johnson cmullenj@nurturebham.com or contact the Negro Southern League Museum at 205-581-3040.
