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 May 31, 2022
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Dr. Jonathan Edwards and Rayshell Chambers share the importance of talking about Black Mental Health. They talk about implementing a plan for your emotional health including a Wellness Recovery Action Plan and vision boards. They discuss the importance of language, finding and reaching out to the people in your support network and how they address the issues of racial inequities.
This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization.
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Alfred Nomad (he/him) is an artist and activist that created the project “Everything Will Be Alright Initiative” which raises funds to provide free therapy sessions for black creatives and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Alfred shares where the concept for his initiative came from and how he connected with mental health organizations. They talk about being accessible through music, taking the initiative to see a therapist and the power in vulnerability.
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 May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Janell Grace (she/her) and Malik Glass (he/him) are the writers and directors of the film and graphic novel “Love Conquers All” and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Janell and Malik talk about how they met and the inspiration behind their story about mental health. They talk about the value of Black representation in their work, the significance of the title “Love Conquers All” and the details of their upcoming film premiere for Mental Health Awareness month. For tickets to the ”Love Conquers All” Film Premiere: https://www.nellynellproductions.com/merch/p/love-conquers-all-film-premiere 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 May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Dr. Ben Miller, PsyD (he/him) is the President of Well Being Trust, a national foundation committed to advancing the mental, social and spiritual health of the nation and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Miller shares the importance of improvising, being creative and being a leader. They talk about improving the system(s), trying not to fragment the mental health system and checking in on those around you to see how they are truly doing.
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 May 03, 2022
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Helen “Skip” Skipper (She/Her/Queen) is the Senior Manager of Peer Services at New York City Criminal Justice Agency and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Skip shares about who she is by starting with where she’s been and where she is now. They talk about the hamster wheel of recidivism, the Friendship Bench and using your peer experience with intention.
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 Apr 26, 2022
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Dr. Shedrick Martin is a psychiatric pharmacist and he shares his role with patients on the front lines. Dr. Martin explains ways to empower the patient and the focus on removing barriers to care. They talk about building relationships with your pharmacists, implementing more training around mental health to reduce stigma and addressing equity and our Black mental health.
This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Taleed El-Sabawi (she/her) is lawyer, she has her PhD in Public Health, she’s an Assistant Professor at Elon University School of Law and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Taleed shares how she got involved in Addiction & Mental Health Policy. They talk about the CAHOOTS mobile response model, giving power to the community, harm reduction and the background behind the Crack/Pipe Act.
A Model for Defunding: An Evidence-Based Statute for Behavioral Health Crisis Response: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3683432
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 Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tansy McNulty (she/her) is the founder “1M4” which is a member-led organization working to eliminate police brutality through legal action and advocacy and increase representation in the criminal justice system and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Tansy shares what motivated her to start “1M4” and how she came up with the name. They talk about how Tansy is seeking to transform our criminal justice system, the intersection of Black people and mental health police response and the importance of remembering your power.
Mobile Crisis Unit guide: https://www.1m4.org/mcu-coresponder-info
For more information on 1M4: https://www.1m4.org/home
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 Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Joseph Yusuf (He/Him) and Cloud Benn (They/Them) are both part of A New Deal for Youth which is a youth-led, youth-centered effort advocating for the creation of new systems, policies, investments, and structures that reimagine life for young people in America and they are both Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Joseph gives the six demands to change the norms of society and Cloud shares how she got involved in advocacy work. They talk about how every Black and Brown voice matters when speaking about social change, how the road to change takes a while and the trauma of being young and Black in America.
For more information on the New Deal for Youth visit: https://newdealforyouth.org/
To join the movement: https://newdealforyouth.org/join-the-movement
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 Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Bre Williams (she/her) is the Senior Programs Manager and Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator at PEERS. Bre shares how she got into this work and how she defines peer support. They talk about meeting Black folks where they are at their churches, finding community and connections, the benefits of having a WRAP Plan and how our mental health doesn’t define our destiny.
This episode is sponsored by Janssen Neuroscience and Supported by The Painted Brain, a California based Peer Run Organization.