Unapologetically Black Unicorns

“Enjoying the Message as it’s Received” with Dr. Ikwunga Wonodi

Dr. Ikwunga Wonodi (he/him) is a psychiatrist, an Afrobeat Poet and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Wonodi talked about what afrobeat poetry represents and his personal journey in becoming an afrobeat poet. They talk about pidgin, how afrobeats has been used as a vehicle for change, his poem and songwriting process and his message on homelessness and mental illness.

To listen or purchase Dr. Woondi’s music check out:

"Calabash: Afrobeat Poems by Ikwunga Vol.1": https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ikwunga/30240928

“Deep Sleep”: https://music.apple.com/us/album/deep-sleep/270004179

 

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“Value The Connection to Community” with Dr. Jorge Partida del Toro

Dr. Jorge Partida del Toro is a Curandero, a Psychologist with international experience working with child soldiers and building intentional communities and he’s an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Partida Del Toro gives the backstory for how he got into psychology and how his grandmother played a significant role. They talk about institutional and structural racism, mixing Curanderismo Healing and Western Psychology and valuing the connection to our communities.

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“The Medicaid Game: A Simulation Game”

In this interactive episode of Unapologetically Black Unicorns, Keris transforms complex policy into “The Medicaid Maze”, a storytelling board game that reveals the real-life challenges of navigating Medicaid. Through dice rolls and card draws, she explores how small policy shifts and everyday barriers can drastically affect people’s health coverage and stability. Blending empathy and advocacy, this episode invites listeners to rethink what it really means to survive and stay covered within America’s healthcare system.

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“Your Voice has Meaning, Power and Impact” with Alvin Lee

Alvin Lee (he/him) is the Executive Director of GENup and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Alvin shares the backstory of how he got into student activism and what it is like being a young person in a space with older adults. They talk about why education is a fundamental issue for everyone, how his work in education impacts BIPOC communities and why representation matters in school curriculum.

For more information visit: https://www.generationup.net/

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“The Pursuit of Happiness in Angry Times”

In this reflective episode of Unapologetically Black Unicorns, Keris shares a powerful piece of writing she discovered from her late father titled “The Pursuit of Happiness in Angry Times.” Through his reflections on finding peace and balance amid chaos, Keris explores how his words resonate with today’s world of uncertainty. It’s a reminder to embrace nuance, open-mindedness and the “shades of gray” needed to find happiness in our current environment.

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“The Power Of Being Seen”

Keris reflects on the power of being seen and finding belonging in spaces where leaders look like her. She shares how representation restores, heals and inspires, helping to glue the broken pieces of identity back together. Remember that showing up fully and unapologetically is both resistance and hope.

 

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“It Takes a Village to Raise a Child but it Takes an Entire Community to Save One” with Ayaan Moledina

Ayaan Moledina (He/Him) is the Federal Policy Director at SEAT and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Ayaan shares how he knew he wanted to get into the advocacy space at a young age and how it led to him getting in front of Congress to discuss mental health and suicide prevention. They talk about why it’s important to discuss suicide with students in schools and colleges, ways in which students can be aware of the resources that are available to them and empowering young people by letting them share their stories.

For more information on SEAT visit: https://www.studentsengaged.org/

 

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

For a direct transcript of this episode visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrsTMjQoj1rdRg_Ramq3e-Gn8L_Ruyow/view

Transcripts are also available on Apple Podcasts.

“Creative Maladjustment”

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’ late 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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“Signed By Stories” with Emma Hunt

Emma Hunt (she/her) founded Signed By Stories and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Emma shares why she started Signed By Stories to bring public attention and awareness to the lack of effective, linguistically accessible and culturally affirmative mental health services for deaf and hard of hearing people. They talk about the experiences of growing up a child of a deaf person (CODA), always improving accessibility and trusting that you know what you need to make yourself feel whole.

To learn more about “Signed By Stories” visit: https://www.signedbystories.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfhMprMDcBt/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@signedbystories?_t=ZT-8zj7QRlScaD&_r=1

 

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.

“The Defensive Line” with Chris and Martha Thomas

Chris Thomas (he/him) is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of “The Defensive Line” and Martha Thomas (She/her) is the Co-Founder and Chief Education Officer of “The Defensive Line” and they are both Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Chris and Martha share the impact of their son Solomon Thomas (Cowboys Defensive Tackle) and their late daughter Ella and how they were inspired to start “The Defensive Line” which promotes communication and connection around suicide prevention. They talk about the importance of having a conversation around suicide, how our differences should be celebrated and getting everyone the proper resources and an action plan.

To learn more about “The Defensive Line” visit: https://thedefensiveline.org/

 

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are available on Apple Podcasts.