Prentis ⁢Hemphill on Healing Through Conflict and Community Growth

Updated June 09, 2025
⁣

life’s challenges often necessitate a path toward healing, ⁣a theme explored in‍ Prentis Hemphill’s new book, “What It Takes to
Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can change the World.” Hemphill, a public speaker and therapist, emphasizes the interconnectedness
of personal well-being and community involvement. “The state of the⁤ world impacts our own lives and the lives of our community,”
Hemphill said, advocating for community work ‍as a catalyst⁢ for personal growth and addressing ⁢the root causes of harm.

Drawing from personal experiences, Hemphill presents conflict as an prospect for growth. Hemphill said, “We tend to believe that
⁤ ⁢conflict indicates some failure or ⁢that it’s a threat against us that we must defeat. If ⁤we can approach ‍conflict with maturity,
we realize it’s often what’s required to get our relationships to the next level.”

In an excerpt from “What It Takes to Heal,” ‍Hemphill recounts a health scare in 2017 ‍while‍ working at Black Lives Matter Global
Network. The institution faced intense pressure, constant crises, and internal‍ challenges.Hemphill describes the experience as
“trying to harness the wind.”

The death of a friend’s partner ‍from heart failure served as a wake-up call. Hemphill, experiencing chest pains, had been ignoring
their body’s warning signs, driven by a belief in the importance of‍ their work at BLM. At the funeral, hemphill resolved to seek
‍ medical attention.

during a doctor’s visit, while together managing organizational issues via text, Hemphill received ‍alarming news. ⁣The ⁤doctor
⁣ said EKG results indicated a heart incident, possibly an injury or a minor‍ heart attack. Hemphill, then ‍36, was advised to take
⁣ time off and undergo further testing.

“Everything we experience is experienced in our bodies, that stress exacts a toll that is, too often, collected from our organs
and life spans.”

the experience led Hemphill to prioritize self-care, including acupuncture, and ultimately to ⁣leave the organization. hemphill
⁤ realized the importance of⁢ listening to the body’s signals and recognizing conflict as a valuable teacher.

Hemphill reflects on‍ the inevitability of breakdown, ⁤stating ‍that everything eventually falls apart. Conflict, especially in times
⁢ of crisis, offers lessons if we⁤ allow ⁢it to ⁢destabilize us and listen to its message.

Instead of resisting conflict, Hemphill suggests accepting it and avoiding the urge to ⁢control the situation. Unresolved conflict
can persist, creating underlying tension in relationships and societies.

What’s next

Hemphill’s book, “What it Takes to Heal,” offers further insights into transforming ourselves ⁣and changing the world through
healing and community engagement.