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
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Kelechi Ubozoh (she/her) is a peer supporter, a Black Liberatory Coach, co-editor of “We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health,” a contributor to the anthology “Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives” and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris and Kelechi reflect on why they decided to rethink the nuances of talking about Black hair and when and why they “hair code-switch”. Kelechi reads her chapter in the anthology, how she uses her hair strategically and the trauma and celebration through hair.
“TRAUMA, TRESSES, & TRUTH: 2nd Virtual Conference Interrogating Black Women's Natural Hair” -
August 4th - 6th:
https://trauma-tresses-truth-conference-interrogating.heysummit.com/
The Anthology “Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives”:
https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/trauma--tresses--and-truth-products-9781641606707.php
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Lynnae Brown (she/her) is the creator of the training “Social Service Survival Guide”, and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Lynnae shares her journey in the human service space and how the social service system can disempower its workers. They talk about being the person to help others in social services and the impact of tying your identity with your contributions rather than your job title.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Laura Evans (she/hers) is the Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Vibrant Emotional Health and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Laura shares how she got involved in policy and some of the color lines she observed in this field. They talk about reading between the lines when breaking down a bill, being strategic with public policy and the focus on climate and climate justice issues.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Howard A. Myrick, PhD (he/him) is an Author, Retired Army Officer and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris visited her dad to celebrate his birthday and they discuss how their experiences define who we are. They talk about Dr. Myrick’s two new books and why he wrote them, his experiences in the military during a tumultuous time in America and traveling as a Black man with a family and the racism he endured.
Surviving Toxic “Isms" and Polarizing Dissent: Protecting Our Democracy by Howard A. Myrick: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Toxic-Isms-Polarizing-Dissent/dp/B08N3K59Q4
Protect and Defend by Howard A. Myrick: https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Defend-Howard-Myrick-Ph/dp/B0C1DJ42V6
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Mark Tuggle (He/Him) is the author and editor of “Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls: Black Men Speak about Mental Health” and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Mark explains the process of getting a book published and why he wrote the book about mental health. They talk about the focus on the mental health of Black men and the common themes of the stories that were shared in the book.
For more information on the book “Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls: Black Men Speak about Mental Health” visit: https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Silence-Wounded-Souls-Mental/dp/B0BW2RSRQN
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Jalyn Radziminski (they/she) is an activist whose work is dedicated to advocating for voter rights, racial equity, and accessibility for the BIPOC Disability Community and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jalyn talks about starting the non-profit “Count US IN” and how they are trying to elevate people’s voices and foster inclusive and equitable political participation. They talk about how they are trying to slowly change the culture, celebrating small wins and how they both find time to rest.
If you or someone you know is in a mental or substance use disorder crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
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 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard (she/her) is the Founding Pastor of Word of Encouragement Community Church (WOECC) in Los Angeles, California. Rev. Najuma talks about the marriage of mental health and the faith community. They talk about being a first responder for the church community, empowering the village and going from building to bonding.
This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization.
https://paintedbrain.org/unapologetically-black-unicorns-podcast
For more information about Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard visit: https://linktr.ee/Rev.Najuma
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
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
Links:
SAMHSA Interim Strategic Plan: https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/interim-strategic-plan
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/