Get Invovled!
Set to take place May 29th & 30th of 2026 at the John D. Bradley Convention Center, we invite the male youth of Chatham-Kent as well as thier teachers/coaches/leaders and mentors to step outside “the box” for a full day conference/workshop experience devoted to exploring their mental health and well being as well as challenging the traditional lense of masculinty and promoting positive and healthy peer/gender relations.
The event will be free to participants and lunch will be provided.
Participants will also be part of an exciting, yet informative, digital series and documentary film!
Community donations to cover the costs of this summit go to The Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre- taxable donation receipts will be provided!
Do you work with male youth in CK?
If you are a male teacher/coach/leader/mentor in Chatham-Kent we want to invite you to bring your class/team/group of male youth to the 2026 C-K Male Youth Summit!!
We hope you will organize/arrange to travel your group to the Bradley Center on Friday May 29th (teachers & students or school teams/coaches) or Saturday May 30th (recreational teams/youth groups).
All teachers/leaders/mentors will be invited to Red Barn on Saturday may 30th for a FREE evening with the summit speakers. A panel discussion on continuing this work with youth in our community will be followed by a Q &A opportunity
Looking to be a community leader?
We wish to invite the leaders of our community, those working to help shape our youth and individuals who have a deep care for the health and wellbeing of our community and it’s residents to come audit the summit.
See for yourself the ideas the speakers present and how they interact with/navigate having the tough conversations with our male youth to work towards healthier futures.
We welcome you to the Bradley Center on Friday May 29th or Saturday May 30th between the hours of 9am- 2pm. Within that time frame you are free to come and go as suits your schedule!
Auditors will be invited to Red Barn on Saturday May 30th for a FREE evening with the summit speakers. A panel discussion on continuing this work with youth in our community will be followed by a Q &A opportunity!
Meet the Summit Speakers
Dr. Brendan K. Hartman
Dr. Brendan K. Hartman is a sociologist specializing in the social-emotional development and wellbeing of boys and men–and how this connects to the wellbeing of all genders. He holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Edinburgh and is an adjunct professor at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Professor Neil Shyminksy
Neil Shyminsky is a professor of English at Cambrian College in Canada, and is also known on social media as “Professor Neil.” At the heart of his online advocacy and academic work is the promotion of diverse and inclusive practices of healthy masculinity and the rejection of restrictive, toxic, and harmful ideologies of masculinity.
Johnny Cole/Hey Brother Co.
Johnny Cole is the founder of Hey Brother Co., a leading voice in the movement to redefine masculinity for a new generation. As one of the youngest facilitators in the men's work space, Johnny is an emerging leader guiding Gen Z boys and men into a healthier, emotionally connected, and socially accountable model of modern masculinity.
Nick Cholmsky
Nick Cholmsky is the Men's Speaker for the Youth Resiliency Project, a nonprofit that inspires youth to think critically about the ways in which social and popular media present self-worth, sexuality, bodies, gender, and race. His signature school assembly, A Breath Of Fresh Air, empowers boys to explore mental health, friendships, romantic relationships, and body image in healthy ways.