Have you ever chatted with an Unapologetically Black Unicorn- someone who symbolizes freedom, power, strength and is a true force of nature and thought, ‘WOW people need to hear this’? Now you can and learn how to be a U.B.U. too! Join the weekly conversation with host Keris Jän Myrick, an unapologetically Black unicorn in their own right, and nationally recognized mental health advocate chatting with amazing U.B.U. folk who are advancing all things mental health, racial justice, and anything cool to enhance human existence.
Dr. Jonathan Edwards (he/him) and Rita Cronise (She/Her) are editors for the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Jonathan and Rita explain how the book came about and the history of Peer Support. They talk about who the target audience is for the book, why this book is needed and remembering their colleague Steve Harrington. For more information about the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” visit: https://www.peersupportworks.org/naps-members-author-guide-to-peer-support/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Keris talks about living in an overwhelming world and the importance of implementing the quiet part of the work. This episode is about just listening and pausing but more importantly getting the rest you need and the rest you deserve. Keris pulls cards for the collective all of which pushes against the grind culture narrative. Rest is Resistance A Manifesto (audiobook): https://tinyurl.com/mr3pmd8d The Rest Deck: https://tinyurl.com/mr3pmd8d Rest is Resistance: Free Yourself from Grind Culture and Reclaim Your Life: https://tinyurl.com/2xf5ak8v The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Dr. Jei Africa (he/his/him) is the first openly transgender county behavioral health director in California and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Africa shares his experience being raised in the Philippines and the disparities he saw when he came to the United States. They talk about bringing people together to create change, cultural humility and the importance of being visible. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Following the Met Gala, Keris talks about why fashion interests her and who influenced her style. She speaks on the origin of the Met Gala's theme this year – “Black Dandyism” and how it was a tool of rebellion, joy and self-definition. Keris' Met Gala “Look Book” - bit.ly The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
This is Part II, a continuation of Keris reading an excerpt from her father's book “Protect and Defend: the U.S.' Promise and Performance (In an Age of Uncertainty).” Howard A. Myrick took an oath upon being commissioned as a young U.S. Army officer, pledging to “…protect and defend the Constitution of the United States … against all enemies – foreign and domestic” and here is a portion of his account read by his daughter. “Protect and Defend” by Howard A. Myrick Ph. D. - https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Defend-Howard-Myrick-Ph/dp/B0C1DJ42V6 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Keris reads an excerpt from her father's book “Protect and Defend: the U.S.' Promise and Performance (In an Age of Uncertainty).” Howard A. Myrick took an oath upon being commissioned as a young U.S. Army officer, pledging to “…protect and defend the Constitution of the United States … against all enemies – foreign and domestic” and here is a portion of his account read by his daughter. This is Part 1. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Preston Mitchum (he/him) is the Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs with The Trevor Project and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Preston shares what The Trevor Project does as an organization and how they try to reach and support LGBTQ young people. They talk about how Preston always wanted to support people and fight for their access, how The Trevor Project crisis counselors are trained to meet the needs of LGBTQ young people and how everyone has a voice. For more information on The Trevor Project visit: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.
Nicole Kwan (she/her) is a mental health advocate and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nicole talks about how mental health was stigmatized in her own culture and how she found people to talk to and support her. They talk about the focus on immigrant mental health, getting more young people to the table and the importance of compassion, kindness and empathy. Listen to the "Youth on Mental Health" playlist on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxolYqklWoEM8QTc8hJirgeeeQvctkn3j The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.
Nandini Nema (she/her) is a gap year student who is making an impact in mental health and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nandini shares the work she's done as a youth representative with UNICEF by help building child friendly cities. They talk about how mindfulness is a process, working in tech as a Google summer scholar, what they would do encourage people to get into the field of mental health and they share some of their healthy coping mechanisms. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline For more information visit: Child friendly city initiative: https://childfriendlycities.org/ Boulder, Colorado's child friendly initiative: https://www.growingupboulder.org/
Keris had a dream about this thing called “CADRE” and her dream has become a reality. CADRE stands for Collective Action Democratized by Relevant Experience, and it is both a policy academy and it is a movement. Keris speaks on where the CADRE Policy Academy will be housed and we'll hear from some participants who talk about their personal experience with the program. To access the online CADRE training : go.mydrkatz.com/cadre-program The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.
200 episodes! Keris started the podcast wanting to only do 15 episodes capturing people's stories and it has grown into a movement. She shares some highlights over 200 episodes and where the podcast is going to go from here. We want to hear from you. What ideas or topics do you have for the next 200 episode? Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.
Fajr DeLane (she/her) is the CEO of F^3: Fun. Fit. Fabulous! Health & Wellness Mentoring Program and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Fajr shares her inspiration for starting the “Fun. Fit. Fabulous!” program and how her camp was about inspiring the girls/women in her community. They talk about making time for self-care, how her work intersects with mental health and taking the time to start the conversation about mental health and so you can help support others. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline For more information on “F^3: Fun. Fit. Fabulous!” visit: www.funfitfabulous.org/
Kana Enomoto (she/her) is the director of brain health for the McKinsey Health Institute and Reina Chiang (she/her) is a college student and a mental health advocate and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Kana and Reina discuss their personal experiences when crisis showed up in their home and why the emergency room could do more to support mental health crisis. They talk about why mental health and medical conditions should be treated with the same care, Reina's vision for her non-profit “u matter” and the importance for parents to seek support for their children in crisis as well as for themselves. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.
Jose Caballero (he/him) is a mental health advocate, blogger and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jose talks about his “why” and his experiences growing up in Nicaragua and immigrating to the United States. They talk about having conversations about mental health with their families and in their communities, the impacts of emotional intelligence, trying to incorporate mental health education into school's curriculum and beauty standards in social media. For more information visit https://www.intouchblog.com/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Ayaan Moledina (He/Him) is the Federal Policy Director at SEAT and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Ayaan shares how he knew he wanted to get into the advocacy space at a young age and how it led to him getting in front of Congress to discuss mental health and suicide prevention. They talk about why it's important to discuss suicide with students in schools and colleges, ways in which students can be aware of the resources that are available to them and empowering young people by letting them share their stories. For more information on SEAT visit: https://www.studentsengaged.org/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info For a direct transcript of this episode visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrsTMjQoj1rdRg_Ramq3e-Gn8L_Ruyow/view Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.
Dr. Andre Johnson (he/him) is the Founder/CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project (DRP), and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Johnson talks about the ideas in his book “The Recovery Ecosystem: A Wholistic Approach to Recovery” which is a guide for healing and progress in the journey of addiction recovery. They talk about the organization being a peer-run Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, (CCBHC) the significance of supportive housing and the components of the recovery ecosystem. For more information on Dr. Andre Johnson and his book “The Recovery Ecosystem: A Wholistic Approach to Recovery” visit: www.DrAndreJohnson.com For more information on the Detroit Recovery Project visit: www.recovery4detroit.com The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info For a direct transcript of this episode visit: https://bit.ly/ubu195AudioTranscript Transcripts also available on Apple Podcasts.
Keris talks about an experience that profoundly affected her and her family and that is navigating the hospice care system in the final days of her father's life. She talks about the system defaulting to medication, no consideration for a death doula and reimaging hospice care with more mental health support. To hear the episode with Jess Stohlmann Rainey on her experience as a death doula, listen here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tpy9w-16a77bc The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info For a direct transcript of this episode visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tO7p7D7kq_6M3WE56r7CPmg4G66muKMi/view Transcripts also available on Apple Podcasts.
LaMont Green (he/him/they) is the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the Technical Assistance Collaborative and Rachel Post (she/her/hers) is a Senior Consultant at the Technical Assistance Collaborative and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Lamont and Rachel explain how they are attempting to decolonize research and providing emotional capacity building support. They talk about how the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is taking a bold step and why we need to ensure that we're impacting the communities that we are serving. For more information about the RWJF Grant- Systems for Action, a research program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Systems for Action will fund up to five awards, each for up to $200,000, over 12 months. Apply by June 4, 2025. For more details join Systems for Action's informational webinar on February 24, 2025, from 1 pm-2 pm Eastern Time. If you can't make it, they'll facilitate weekly office hours until May 29th. For more information, visit: https://rebrand.ly/UBUS4A Transcript of the podcast: https://web.plaud.ai/share/bfd51738634667794 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
LaVerne Miller (she/her) is an attorney with a focus on the employment of people with lived experience and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. LaVerne shares her experience starting the first forensic peer specialist training program and how proud she is of its expansion. They talk about the peer workforce movement and the importance of Estate Planning, taking advantage of employee benefits and empowering ourselves for our future. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Sam Tsemberis (he/him) is a community psychology practitioner, the Founder/CEO of the Pathways Housing First Institute and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Tsemberis shares how Housing First got started and why it's a person-centered program. They talk about the decimation of our public housing system, the questions to ask if you're entering a housing program and steps for advocates to encourage more housing first models. For more information on Pathways Housing First: https://www.pathwayshousingfirst.org/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
This is a live Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast recorded with special guests Chyrell Bellamy (Director, Yale Peer Support Services & Research), Felecia Pullen (Founder & CEO, Pillars NYC) and Rupi Legha (Psychiatrist, Scholar, Anti-Racists Activist). On this panel they have a discussion on “anti-racism”, examples of anti-racism in the workplace and community and how you can commit to anti-racism work. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Vesper Moore (they/elle) is a mad liberation and disability justice activist, and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Vesper defines mad liberation and neurodiversity and how they got involved in the field. They talk about opening Respites and the complications with funding, using advocacy in their peer training and learning lessons in everything and everyone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline For more information visit: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vespermoore Book Drop The Disorder: Second Edition - https://adisorder4everyone.com/ Website: www.vespermoore.com Kiva Centers: www.kivacenters.org Madness Network News: www.madnessnetworknews.com
Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. (she/hers) is the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administrator of SAMHSA and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Delphin-Rittmon reflects on her roles before joining SAMHSA and some of her mentors through the course of her career. They talk about mental health promotion and early intervention, the data behind the increase in use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, equity focus work including the Black youth suicide summit and why SAMHSA offers hope with their funding of support and services. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Keris recorded this podcast on Christmas and shares a Christmas memory from her childhood. She shares the struggles people have during the holiday season and the magic of a picture she saw of a Black Santa when she was young. Keris remembers the sacrifices her dad made and she wants you to know that it gets better. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Jeff Olivet (he/him) is the executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jeff shares how housing is healthcare, and that homelessness is solvable and it's preventable. They talk about how homelessness is a cross-systems failure and how it requires cross-systems solutions, the importance of having the safety of a place to stay with a door that locks behind you and the cross section of homelessness and mental health. A message from outgoing USICH Director Jeff Olivet: https://usich.gov/news-events/news/message-outgoing-usich-director-jeff-olivet-despite-challenges-homelessness The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
We talk a lot about the importance of creating supportive environments and it's one thing to say it but it really only counts if you truly put it into action. After Keris' personal experience of recently losing her father, she gives her personal takeaways of how other organizations can help ensure their employees can feel supported not just in theory but in practice. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
DJ Chuang (he/ him) hosts the Erasing Shame podcast (erasingshame.com), the director of Christian Asian Mental health (camh.network), a moderator at Subtle Asian Mental Health and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. DJ talks about his personal experiences with the challenges around finding a safe space and the lack of communication around mental health in the Asian community. They talk about trying to get more than just spiritual wellness in the churches, leaning in on experience over expertise and why the church was the perfect place for DJ to reach other Asian Americans about mental health. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Links: website + blog: https://djchuang.com twitter: https://twitter.com/djchuang instagram: https://instagram.com/djchuang linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djchuang
Today's episode is deeply personal, as it serves both as a tribute and a memorial to Keris' father, Howard A. Myrick, who passed away on November 12, 2024, at the age of 90. In his honor, we're excited to introduce a special playlist on this podcast: Conversations with My Father. This collection brings together episodes of heartfelt conversations and moments, alongside stories Keris has written and shared about her father and their family. It's a celebration of his life, his wisdom, and the Myrick family legacy. Howard A. Myrick playlist, obituary and donations: https://linktr.ee/KerisWithaK?utm_source=qr_code
UBU was recorded live on September 21, 2021, during the Annual Conference for the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS). In this workshop leading mental health leaders from diverse backgrounds featured on the Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast join in a lively discussion about lived experiences, leadership, showing up as our authentic selves and addressing equity in behavioral health plus much more. The panelists include: Khatera Aslami Tamplen (she/her), BS, Certified Advanced WRAP Facilitator Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services Office of Peer Support Services Manager Jei Africa, (he/him) PsyD, MA Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services County of Marin Chyrell Bellamy, (She/her/they) PhD, MSW Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry Joint Director, Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH) Rayshell Chambers, (she/her) MPA Chief Operating Officer/Co- Founder Painted Brain To access the NYAPRS conference click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4hkeDHDyYXdlZBhXu3zIMJ1kKAGCmZ3h The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Sylvie Trevena (she/her) is a writer and Program Associate and Executive Assistant at Well Being Trust and she is also an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Sylvie shares why being a parent is so important to her and her experiences raising her transgender son Jake. They talk about checking in with your friends and also taking your own temperature, trying to speak with kids about school safety and having hope for the next generation surrounding mental health. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Dr. Jonathan Edwards (he/him) and Rita Cronise (She/Her) are editors for the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Jonathan and Rita explain how the book came about and the history of Peer Support. They talk about who the target audience is for the book, why this book is needed and remembering their colleague Steve Harrington. For more information about the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” visit: https://www.peersupportworks.org/naps-members-author-guide-to-peer-support/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Katherine Grainger (she/her) is a Managing Partner at Civitas Public Affairs Group and Rebecca Grainger (she/her) is a Distinguished Educator and they are both Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Katherine and Rebecca both discuss understanding and moving policy to fix and change systems. They talk the history of Critical Race Theory and the language behind it, the work they're doing with The Black Policy Institute as well as Black Futures Lab and the freedom of cognitive liberation. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Keris is joined by her dad, Howard Myrick who just recently turned 90 years old and cast his early vote in Florida. Keris and her dad discuss an article he wrote about the importance of voting and how as a Black person it is crucial to vote considering its history. Keris then reads the article her dad wrote entitled “Say What, You Did Not Vote?” The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Keris tells a story about a typewriter that's been passed down through the family and the memories it holds. She talks about the significance of the typewriter to her family, how it brings her joy whenever she looks at it and she discusses the positive impact memories can have on your mental health. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Lauren Clark (She/Her), PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor of Nursing at UCLA, a teacher in the Disability Studies Department, and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. In this episode, Lauren shares insights from her work and reflects on the groundbreaking legacy of Judy Heumann, a trailblazer in disability advocacy. She discusses how they aim to continue Judy's work through their community partnership project at the Judy Heumann Lab, focusing on the intersectionality of disability, mental health, and immigration/citizenship, and its impact on the campus community. They also explore the concept of “chasms of care,” the importance of language, and the power of community in this work. Our Judy Heumann Lab: https://dslabs.ucla.edu/chasms-in-the-continuum-of-care-for-people-with-psychiatric-disabilities/ https://dslabs.ucla.edu/labs/heumann-community-partnerships-lab/2023-2/ The overall Judy Heumann Lab initiative: https://dslabs.ucla.edu/labs/heumann-community-partnerships-lab/ UCLA Disability Studies https://www.uei.ucla.edu/academic-programs/disability-studies/ UCLA Disability Studies Inclusion Labs https://dslabs.ucla.edu/disability-studies/ UCLA Disability Studies creates first disability studies major at a California public university https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/ucla-creates-first-disability-studies-major-california-public-university The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Dr. Ben Miller, PsyD (he/him) returns, he is a fighter of fragmentation, mental health marginalization, a champion of community-based change and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. They discuss Dr. Miller's blog entitled “Getting mental health right for all” and they break down the issues about involuntary commitment. They talk about moving beyond belief-based policy, asking why we have separate mental health systems and finding the overlap of mental health in everything. “Getting mental health right for all” by Ben Miller: https://mentalhealth411.substack.com/p/e84a1ee7-65e2-4b1a-9d0e-dee17a8602bc The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Pat Deegan is an American disability-rights advocate, psychologist, researcher, the founder of Pat Deegan and Associates and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Pat shares the guided process of identifying and working through personal challenges with using medication. They talk about their personal experiences of being given medication after being hospitalized, the importance of developing a power statement and how we all deserve a voice in our own medication choice. For more information about Medication Empowerment visit: https://www.patdeegan.com/medication-empowerment The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Damon Watson (He/Him/His) is the Program Director of the Fellowship Initiative, Vibrant Emotional Health and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Damon emphasizes seeing Black and Brown boys for who they and the importance of just existing. They talk about listening to the voices of our younger people, the power of mentorship and some success stories from The Fellowship Initiative program. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
This is a special episode of UBU in collaboration with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Services. In this episode, Keris is joined by Moderator Jennifer Clancy (she/her) and Jei Africa (he/his) talking about things they learned from a California project that they were part of – Cultivating Outcomes through Equity in Behavioral Telehealth, in 2022 and 2023. The goal was to help behavioral health provider organizations develop their practices to make them more accessible and equitable. That project was funded by the California Health Care Foundation. You can learn more about the Foundation and the project at www.chcf.org To learn more about the California Health Care Foundation: https://www.chcf.org/project/cultivating-outcomes-equity-behavioral-telehealth/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Ellis Gordon Jr. (he/him) is treasurer of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and he is the former husband of Bebe Moore Campbell. Ellis shares the story of how he met Bebe Moore Campbell and why it was so important to name the month of July after Bebe. They talk about the inception of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, how NAMI is community-centric and community-centered and continuing the goal of erasing the stigma. Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Ellis Gordon Jr.: https://www.khon2.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/738808714/celebrating-the-life-legacy-of-ellis-gordon-jr/ Don't erase Bebe Moore Campbell from National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/24/dont-erase-bebe-moore-campbells-name-from-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/
Dr. Ruby Mendenhall (she/her) is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Ruby talks about her family and where she came from. They talk about Ruby teaching at a predominately white institution, creating a wellness store, youth community health workers, youth citizen/community scientists and racial microaggressions. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Jess Stohlmann Rainey (she/her) is a mad care worker, an instructor in the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, the Director of Program Development at Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jess shares her points from a piece she wrote about 988 and the importance of informed consent. They talk about Jess' experience as a death doula, why it's essential in care work to not only give people options but to also make sure they have access to those options and why the goal of this work is to love people well. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Jess Stohlmann Rainey's blog “On 988”: https://www.muchmadnessllc.com/blog/988
Pat Deegan (she/her) Ph.D. has a doctorate in clinical psychology, the founder of Pat Deegan & Associates and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Pat shares when she got her “Prognosis of Doom” and how she eventually turned it around. They talk about Certified Personal Medicine Coaches, medication empowerment and a column she co-edits entitled “Personal Accounts. She also speaks about the importance of representation and intention in her work to ensure people ‘see' themselves in her work and the rage that comes with oppression. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
LaMont Green (he/him/they) is the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the Technical Assistance Collaborative and Rachel Post (she/her/hers) is a Senior Consultant at the Technical Assistance Collaborative and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Lamont and Rachel explain how they are attempting to decolonize research and providing emotional capacity building support. They talk about how the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is taking a bold step and why we need to ensure that we're impacting the communities that we are serving. Technical Assistance Collaborative: Systems Alignment Innovation Hub: https://www.tacinc.org/resources/saih/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Keris shares a poem about the complexity of our nation's history surrounding race in this country. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Ellis Gordon Jr. (he/him) is treasurer of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and he is the former husband of Bebe Moore Campbell. Ellis shares the story of how he met Bebe Moore Campbell and why it was so important to name the month of July after Bebe. They talk about the inception of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, how NAMI is community-centric and community-centered and continuing the goal of erasing the stigma. This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization. https://paintedbrain.org/ubu-black-mental-health/ The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Nandini Nema (she/her) is a gap year student who is making an impact in mental health and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nandini shares the work she's done as a youth representative with UNICEF by help building child friendly cities. They talk about how mindfulness is a process, working in tech as a Google summer scholar, what they would do encourage people to get into the field of mental health and they share some of their healthy coping mechanisms. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline For more information visit: Child friendly city initiative: https://childfriendlycities.org/ Boulder, Colorado's child friendly initiative: https://www.growingupboulder.org/
Keris tells a story about a typewriter that's been passed down through the family and the memories it holds. She talks about the significance of the typewriter to her family, how it brings her joy whenever she looks at it and she discusses the positive impact memories can have on your mental health. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Dr. Rupi Legha (she/hers) is a psychiatrist focused on anti-racism and providing humane and compassionate care and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Legha walks us through her path to becoming a psychiatrist and how she was not convinced by the biomedical approach. They talk about safety concerns in mental health, community-oriented care and working to not problematize a child and their mental health. For more information on Dr. Rupi Legha visit: www.rupileghamd.com The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Keris talks about how her birthday's used to be a time where she isolated but describes how she was able to break out of it. Keris lists some alarming statistics about the life expectancy of those with serious mental health conditions and why she's now wild about wellness. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Dr. John Draper (he/him) was the Chief Officer of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Draper helps us understand the genesis of the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and what he hopes gets accomplished through the new lifeline. They talk about geolocation, how to serve people where they are and building trust and making others feel empowered. Inseparable's Better Response Report: https://www.inseparable.us/abetterresponse/ Unapologetically Black Unicorns 988 & Crisis Systems Reform Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUdw451JL3w&list=PLxolYqklWoEND-6LQRnqJXi4mG5k_8HLx The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
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