NBR in the Community: Henna, Connection, and 20 New Sign-Ups

Some of the best outreach doesn't look like outreach at all. That was the case at a recent community wellness event hosted by Stark Community Support Network, where Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research (NBR) made a memorable impression, one henna design at a time.

NBR's Outreach & Inclusion Specialist, Shilpa Kenjale, spent three hours drawing henna hand tattoos for attendees. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one. The activity created a warm, welcoming atmosphere that naturally opened the door to conversations about NBR's mental health research programs, no clipboard or pitch required.

The turnout was strong and the engagement was real. By the end of the day, 20 people had signed up to learn more about participating in research. That kind of response speaks to the value of meeting people where they are, in a setting built around comfort and connection rather than a formal ask.

It's a creative approach to community outreach, and a great reminder that trust often starts with something as simple as showing up and sharing a little time and artistry. A great day for the NBR team, and for everyone who left with a little henna and a new connection to NBR's work.

Interested in learning more about NBR's current research studies? Visit our studies page to see what's currently enrolling, or reach out to our team with any questions.