Unapologetically Black Unicorns

“Recovery Means Liberation” with Haner Hernández

Haner Hernández (he/him) Ph.D., CPS, CADCII, LADCI has worked for 34 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Haner shares when came over to the United States with his mother when he was 4 years old from Puerto Rico and what it means to him to be a person in long term recovery. They talk about the immigration experience coming into the U.S., the issue with the prison system, the progression of pharmaceutical advertising, racism and the multiple pathways to recovery.

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

“Thriving on Wheels” with Candis Welch

Candis Welch (she/hers) is a DEI (A) Practitioner, Disability Advocate, Ms. Wheelchair of California and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Candis speaks on why she got into the advocacy and activism space and how she uses her title of Ms. Wheelchair of California to help inspire others in diverse communities. They talk about accessibility and inclusion with disability, helping businesses be more inclusive and thriving with intention.

To learn more about Candis Welch visit: https://www.candiswelch.com/

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

“Homelessness is Solvable and Preventable” with Jeff Olivet

Jeff Olivet (he/him) is the executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jeff shares how housing is healthcare, and that homelessness is solvable and it’s preventable. They talk about how homelessness is a cross-systems failure and how it requires cross-systems solutions, the importance of having the safety of a place to stay with a door that locks behind you and the cross section of homelessness and mental health.

For more information about USICH visit: https://www.usich.gov/about/usich

 

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

“Prioritize Play in your Life” with Mihae Jung Lozano

Mihae Jung Lozano (she/her) is a social worker, advocate and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Mihae talks about being curious, creative and a creator. They talk about the benefits of growing up as global citizens, identifying your personal value and being authentically you.

Anchor Journals: https://www.anchorjournals.com/

 

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

“Nothing About Us, Without Us” with Helen “Skip” Skipper

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.

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

“People Aren’t Social Problems” with Neil Gong

Neil Gong (he/him) is an assistant professor of sociology at UC San Diego, where he does research on psychiatric services, homelessness, and how communities seek to maintain social order and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Neil explains the genesis of his book “Sons, Daughters and Sidewalk Psychotics” which focuses on mental illness and homelessness in Los Angeles. They talk about the complexities around quality of care and harm reduction, the benefits of using ethnography and covering the three broad problems for US mental health policy from the book.

“Sons, Daughters, and Sidewalk Psychotics: Mental Illness and Homelessness in Los Angeles”: https://a.co/d/iOHrgWB

 

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

“Release, Refresh, Restart, Rest & Celebrate”

Keris is here to talk about the excitement of the solar eclipse but also what it represents. She talks about the symbolism of the eclipse and setting intentions. What do you need to release? What do you need to refresh in your life? Find them and celebrate!

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

“What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” with Dr. Jonathan Edwards and Rita Cronise

Dr. Jonathan Edwards (he/him) and Rita Cronise (She/Her) are editors for the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Jonathan and Rita explain how the book came about and the history of Peer Support. They talk about who the target audience is for the book, why this book is needed and remembering their colleague Steve Harrington.

For more information about the book “What it Takes: Wisdom from Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors” visit: https://www.peersupportworks.org/naps-members-author-guide-to-peer-support/

 

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

“Housing First is All About People” with Sam Tsemberis

Sam Tsemberis (he/him) is a community psychology practitioner, the Founder/CEO of the Pathways Housing First Institute and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Tsemberis shares how Housing First got started and why it’s a person-centered program. They talk about the decimation of our public housing system, the questions to ask if you’re entering a housing program and steps for advocates to encourage more housing first models.

For more information on Pathways Housing First: https://www.pathwayshousingfirst.org/

 

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

“Priced Out: The Affordable Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities” with Kevin Martone and Lisa Sloane

Kevin Martone (he/him) is the Executive Director at the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) and Lisa Sloane (she/her) is the Director at the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Kevin and Lisa give us the overview of their “Priced Out” Report and they give details on the Affordable Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities. They talk about open vs. locked units, the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities and ways in which to be active in your community.

Priced Out: The Affordable Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities: https://www.tacinc.org/blog/priced-out-the-affordable-housing-crisis-for-people-with-disabilities-in-2024/

Priced Out Where You Live Tool: https://www.tacinc.org/resources/priced-out/

 

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