Unapologetically Black Unicorns

“Oppression Hides in Ambiguity” with Carolina Valle

Carolina Valle, MSW, (She /Hers) is the Senior Policy Director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Carolina unpacks the impact of her family history and what inspired her to become a social worker. They talk about the diversity of how communities are defining mental health and wellness, some concerns with the CARE Court framework and fighting stereotypes in the field of policy.

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

For more information about CPEHN visit: www.cpehn.org

“Providing Humane and Compassionate Care” with Dr. Rupi Legha

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.

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

For more information on Dr. Rupi Legha visit: www.rupileghamd.com

”100 Episode Celebration”

Keris has done over one hundred episodes of Unapologetically Black Unicorns and she is here to celebrate. She shares what the milestone means to her and she reflects on what she’s learned throughout all these episodes. Keris explains the next steps for the podcast and shout-outs are her guests that have contributed to the show’s success.

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

UBU Playlists on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UBUPodcast/playlists

 

“Black Lives Matter: Crisis and Black Mental Health” with Taun Hall

Taun Hall (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Miles Hall Foundation. Taun shares the heart-breaking story of her son Miles who was killed by the police and how it’s led to her advocacy work. They talk AB 988 – “The Miles Hall Lifeline Act,” doing the prevention work in our Black communities and taking care of your self-care.

Mental Illness Is Not A Crime: The Miles Hall Foundation: https://www.themileshallfoundation.org/

 

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

“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