
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.
Episodes

8 hours ago
8 hours ago
Elizabeth Morrison PhD, LCSW, MAC (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Master Addiction Counselor, the Co-Creator of the LCA and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Elizabeth talks about the Lay Counselor Academy and why lived experience is key. They talk about tapping into people’s core gift, supporting employee mental health and why we don’t need to fix people when they share their struggles with you.
For more information on the Lay Counselor Academy: https://www.emorrisonconsulting.com/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Transcripts of this episode are available on Apple Podcasts.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
“Chasms of Care” with Lauren Clark
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
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
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
“The Ghost Network”
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Keris celebrates a birthday, along with her birthday triplets, which also marks the anniversary of the release of the podcast. This episode is about the hauntings of the ghost network and how we can fight back against its evil ways.
Tell your story about ghost networks:
PERSONAL (patient and or family members):
https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/VNszzRw78dtaNiOfWw3atp
PROVIDER:
https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/ezEfe7sWZnJWJhcobOgM
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info
Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
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

Tuesday May 27, 2025
“Rest is Resistance”
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
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.

Tuesday May 20, 2025
“Be Visible as your Fully Authentic Self” with Dr. Jei Africa
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
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.

Tuesday May 13, 2025
“The Met Gala & Black Dandyism”
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
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.

Tuesday May 06, 2025
“To Protect and Defend: Part II”
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
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.

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
“To Protect and Defend: Part 1”
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
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.
“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.

Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
“Do It Afraid” with Preston Mitchum
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
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.