Unapologetically Black Unicorns

Philip Rutherford (he/him) is the Chief Operating Officer at Faces and Voices of Recovery and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Phil shares what his organization is doing for Recovery Month and his story of navigating his pathway to recovery. They talk about how the “War on Drugs” was racially motivated, the experience of Black folks in the recovery community through a new initiative Black Faces and Black Voices and why it is hard for the Black communities to publicly grieve.

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.

To contact Faces & Voices of Recovery go to:

https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/about/who-we-are/staff/

Vesper Moore (they/elle) is a mad liberation and disability justice activist, and they are an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Vesper defines mad liberation and neurodiversity and how they got involved in the field. They talk about opening Respites and the complications with funding, using advocacy in their peer training and learning lessons in everything and everyone.

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

 

For more information visit:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vespermoore

Book Drop The Disorder: Second Edition - https://adisorder4everyone.com/

Website: www.vespermoore.com

Kiva Centers: www.kivacenters.org

Madness Network News: www.madnessnetworknews.com

Keris reflects on the 60th anniversary on the March on Washington. The March on Washington was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement, and Keris focuses on how it brought everyone together for such important causes as jobs and freedom. Keris’ dad reads a section from Martin Luther King’s speech “Creative Maladjustment” and Keris gives some important background and context for that speech and it

ends with a clip of her dad reading that portion of the MLK speech.

 

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

Damon Watson (He/Him/His) is the Program Director of the Fellowship Initiative, Vibrant Emotional Health and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Damon emphasizes seeing Black and Brown boys for who they and the importance of just existing. They talk about listening to the voices of our younger people, the power of mentorship and some success stories from The Fellowship Initiative program.

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

This podcast has selected clips from the 988 & Crisis Reform Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUdw451JL3w&list=PLxolYqklWoEND-6LQRnqJXi4mG5k_8HLx

Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast is at the National Council of State Legislators 2023 Summit ! Thanks Inseparable for using our 988 and crisis system reform playlist to help our legislators, staffers and attendees learn more about 988 Lifeline. 

 

You find more information about inseparable here:

https://www.inseparable.us/get-involved/

 

Arkayla Tenney Howard (she/her) is the owner of Wildflower Communications and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Arkayla shares her impact in strategic communications to address systemic oppression and her transition to a new job. They talk about fighting against imposter syndrome, the importance of external validation and asking questions in job interviews.

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

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/

 

For more episodes like this one regarding 988 visit our UBU playlist on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUdw451JL3w&list=PLxolYqklWoEND-6LQRnqJXi4mG5k_8HLx

 

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

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

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

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