The We Survived Conference will bring survivors, advocates, community leaders and supporters together for two days centered on healing, resilience and personal renewal, Oct. 2–3, 2026, at the Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey Road.
Hosted by Ailisha Vaughn, founder and burn survivor, the conference is designed as a gathering of hope for individuals who have overcome trauma, illness, violence and other life-changing experiences.
The event begins Friday, Oct. 2, with “A Night of Healing,” followed Saturday, Oct. 3, by an inspiring survivors brunch and interactive panel discussion.
Radio personality Melonie Montgomery and television personality Sonii Young will serve as moderators. The conference will feature a diverse lineup of survivor-story guest panelists, including Brandon Hinkle, Sharita Scott, Arnold Gillo, Clarisa Lane, Aileen Cunningham, Dr. Crystal Shae, Pastor Rahson Jordan, Gerald Harris, India Clark, authors Captain Leon and Precious Whitener, and Rev. S.D. Graves III.
Through personal testimonies, conversation and fellowship, organizers hope the conference will provide encouragement while creating a supportive space for people to share experiences and recognize the strength that can emerge through adversity.
The conference theme—“Hope. Strength. Renewal.”—reflects its central message: surviving difficult experiences is not simply about enduring them, but finding opportunities for healing, growth and renewed purpose.
