Learn constructive approaches to negativity: Mediation center’s lunch, talk-story series continues

The nonprofit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center is hosting a free talk from noon-1 p.m. June 21 in the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney as part of its “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace” Brown Bag Lunch Series.

This month’s speaker is Ku‘ikahi mediator and program coordinator Al-Qawi Majidah on the topic “Deal with the Real: Constructive Approaches to Negativity.”

“We seem to be bombarded with negativity — from television and social media to our closest relationships,” Majidah said. “What is negativity and is it the same as pessimism? When dealing with another’s negativity, how can we transform our attitudes, perceptions and perspectives to see it as a chance to gain a broader view?”

In this talk, learn approaches to reframe negativity to make it neutral and useful.

Majidah was born in Seattle and raised in rural Oklahoma. She earned her B.A. in political science from Washington State University and M.A. in international relations from the University of Sussex in England. She has assisted organizations such as the National Democratic Institute in Nepal, Mercy Corps and the American Red Cross in their missions.

The lunch series talk is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch, enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and meet others interested in “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.”

The prosecutor’s office is at 655 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo. The series is made possible thanks in part to funding from the Atherton Family Foundation.

For more information, contact Majidah at 935-7844, ext. 3, or majidah@hawaiimediation.org or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.