Unapologetically Black Unicorns

“The Well-Being Model for Young Black Adults” with Crystal L. Brandow, Hakim Asadi & Lawrence Hines

Crystal L. Brandow, PhD (she/hers) is the founder of clb strategies, LLC, Hakim Asadi, LMSW (he/him) is the founder of Beyond Living and Lawrence Hines (he/him) is a Marketing and Branding Consultant and a Mental Health Advocate and they are all Unapologetically Black Unicorns. They share why they developed this well-being model for Black people created by Black people. They talk about the nine domains for the well-being model, taking inventory on if your being is well and continuing to heal out loud.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The Well-Being Model for Young Black Adults: https://www.meetclb.com/black-well-being

“Empowering Ourselves for Our Future” with LaVerne Miller, JD

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

“You Are Magical AF”

Keris goes solo to share a critical email she received and goes on to focus on the common experience of all the negative self-talk that follows. She explains how someone else’s perception can really affect you and ways to try to move past it. Keris talks about how she was able to go to an event with friends to help refocus her energy but how it really comes down to feeling appreciated, feeling a connection and a sense of community plus how your vulnerability is your superpower.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

“Black Mental Health: Meeting Intersectional LGBT+ and Cultural Needs in the Community” with Yolo Akili

Yolo Akili Robinson (he/him/his) is the Executive Director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective). Yolo explains why we need to give the skills and tools to the community because they are the true caregivers for so many people’s healing and wellness. They talk about the healing justice model, person-centered care and cultivating more community and healing spaces.

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

“Find Your Reason” with Zak Williams

Zak Williams (he/him) is a Mental Health Advocate, the son of the late actor/comedian Robin Williams and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Zak shares how mental health advocacy has been a way to manage his process of healing and discovering how service was a path to happiness. They talk about how Zak got started teaching at San Quentin State Prison, his work on lifestyle interventions and being open to opportunities.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

“You Are Far from Insignificant” with Nicole Kwan

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.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

“Doing it From a Place of Love” with Jess Stohlmann Rainey

Jess Stohlmann Rainey (she/her) is a mad care worker, an instructor in the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology 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

“Be Love” with Dr. Teah Hairston

Dr. Teah Hairston (she/her) is the founder of Be Love Holistic. Dr. Hairston walks us through her journey including the challenges she encountered after a miscarriage. They talk about recovery for Black women, the need for being with people who have experienced things like you, the impacts of Sister Circles and making room for self-care.

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

“Crisis Through a Lens of Grief” with Nze Okoronta

Nze Okoronta (they/them) is the Peer Services Program Director for SOAR Case Management Services overseeing Solstice House Peer Run Respite and Peer Run Warmline and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nze shares their mental health journey and how they are working with the same Warmline they called while in crisis. They talk about their experiences with peer respites, not using anything carceral in the program and dealing with crisis through a lens of grief.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The Lovers Card is You

Keris goes solo to reflect on some personal meaning behind another Tarot card. She shares why the Lovers card resonates with her and she draws the parallels between the card and her personal experiences. She talks about why she first struggled with the Lovers card even though it is her birth card, she shares an event from her childhood that’s made it hard for her to love herself and honoring you for you – U.B.U.

 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline