Unapologetically Black Unicorns

“Representation and Intention Matters” with Pat Deegan

Pat Deegan (she/her) Ph.D. has a doctorate in clinical psychology, is the founder of Pat Deegan & Associates and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Pat shares when she got her “Prognosis of Doom” and how she eventually turned it around. They talk about Certified Personal Medicine Coaches, medication empowerment and a column she co-edits entitled “Personal Accounts. She also speaks about the importance of representation and intention in her work to ensure people ‘see’ themselves in her work and the rage that comes with oppression.

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.

“Creating a Society of Radical Inclusion” with Dr. Ruth Shim

Dr. Ruth Shim (she/her) M.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Dean of Diverse and Inclusive Education, the Director of Cultural Psychiatry, an Author and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Shim shares how she got interested in psychiatry and the stigma of psychiatrists within the profession of medicine. They talk about social determinants of mental health and race equity, creating inclusive spaces, cultural competency, and the concept for her new published book “Social (In)Justice and Mental Health.”

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.

Unapologetically Black Unicorns: Live and in Living Color

UBU was recorded live on September 21, 2021, during the Annual Conference for the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS). In this workshop leading mental health leaders from diverse backgrounds featured on the Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast join in a lively discussion about lived experiences, leadership, showing up as our authentic selves and addressing equity in behavioral health plus much more. The panelists include:

Khatera Aslami Tamplen (she/her), BS, Certified Advanced WRAP Facilitator

Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services

Office of Peer Support Services Manager

 

Jei Africa, (he/him) PsyD, MA

Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

County of Marin

 

Chyrell Bellamy, (She/her/they) PhD, MSW

Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Joint Director, Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH)

 

Rayshell Chambers, (she/her) MPA

Chief Operating Officer/Co- Founder

Painted Brain

 

To access the NYAPRS conference click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4hkeDHDyYXdlZBhXu3zIMJ1kKAGCmZ3h

 

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.

“We Have the Mic” with Lynnae Brown

Lynnae Brown (she/her/hers) is a storycoach and the director of Howie the Harp Advocacy Center at Community Access and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Lynnae shares her journey on how she became the director at Howie the Harp and how they have extensive training programs to teach people in mental health recovery to become peer support workers. They talk about the stories we tell ourselves that make a difference in our lives, the backstory and influence of Howie the Harp and getting people in mental health recovery prepared for a workplace environment.

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.

“If it Doesn’t Serve Us, We’ll Build our Own” with Brandon J. Johnson

Brandon J. Johnson (he/him) is a Suicide Prevention Specialist, the host of The Black Mental Wellness Lounge and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Brandon shares the inspiration for creating the YouTube page "The Black Mental Wellness Lounge" and how he’s trying to use it as a healing space. They talk about taking care of your metal wellness while trying to dismantle systemic issues, understanding the importance of resting for the cause and how the metrics for suicide in the Black community have been overlooked.

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.

“The Greatest Form of Support is Being Heard” with Dr. Jonathan P. Edwards

Dr. Jonathan P. Edwards (he/him) has worked as a public health professional for more than 25 years, serves as adjunct faculty at Columbia School of Social Work, is an emerging researcher, plays a major role nationally in peer support workforce development and as a Board Member of National Association of Peer Supporters and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Edwards shares his personal story including his upbringing and his recovery journey. They talk about Dr. Edwards working in both social work and peer support, advancing leadership for people of color, and the impact of the self-help tools and resources on his personal growth.

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.

“Recovery is Possible” with Philip Rutherford

Philip Rutherford (he/him) is the Chief Operating Officer at Faces and Voices of Recovery and he is 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/

“Recovery from a Brazilian perspective” with Ana Florence

Ana Florence, PhD (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist, a postdoctoral associate at the Yale Program for Recovery and Community and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. It’s the second week of recovery month and we hear Ana’s perspective on how psychology differs in Brazil compared to the United States and how the Psychiatric Reform Movement brought everyone together. They talk about the “Wisdom Project” and how Keris also got involved, how Brazilians have been hesitant with the term “recovery” because it’s coming from U.S., the disparities and inequities that occurred during the pandemic and the impact of Dainius Pūras, former UN Special Rapporteur on Rights to Health.

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.

The “Mad In America” article Ana Florence did with Dainius Pūras: https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/05/bringing-human-rights-mental-health-care-interview-dainius-puras/

The UN Handover Dialogues 2021: https://www.handover-dialogues.org/

“The Black Box” with Dr. Arthur C. Evans

We kickoff off Recovery Month with Dr. Arthur C. Evans who is the CEO of the American Psychological Association and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris asks Dr. Evans how he first got involved in psychology and how he eventually became a leader in the field. They talk about his mural projects on behavior health, the “Black Box” metaphor and the importance of taking risks.

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.

“Afrofuturism is Sankofa” with Dr. LaWana Richmond

Dr. LaWana Richmond (Her/hers) is the Cofounder and Organizer of the Afrofuturism Lounge, the Creator of Afrofuturism Dream Tank, the Coauthor of the “Delayed But Not Denied” series and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris and Dr. Richmond reminisce about the first time they met at WonderCon and the events they’ve attended together since then. They talk about Afrofuturism, the film Sankofa, why we should get rid of the word “normal” and the details behind the upcoming AfroCon event.

For tickets and for more information about AfroCon; go to: https://www.afrofuturismlounge.com/

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.