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 Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
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
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
“Housing First is All About People” with Sam Tsemberis
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
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
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
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
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
“Divorcing Danger from Mental Health” with Asantewaa Boykins
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Asantewaa Boykin (she/hers) R.N MICN, is an Emergency RN and the co-founder of APTP (Anti Police - Terror Project), helped developed Mental Health First and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Asantewaa speaks on why we should minimize police contact with those who are in the midst of a mental health crisis and working on divorcing danger from Mental Health. They talk about how to contact Mental Health First, the concerns that we are creating a “crisis system industrial complex”, mental health crisis response and the damaging outcomes especially for communities of color and understanding that the boxes aren’t real.
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 05, 2024
“Creating a Society of Radical Inclusion” with Dr. Ruth Shim
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
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.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
“Separate your Purpose from the Platform” with Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster (she/her) is an expert and thought leader in the leadership and DEI space, an author and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Freeman-Foster speaks on the power of leadership and how to facilitate effective and healthy leadership that inspires others. They talk about finding those areas where you can be your authentic self, creating a human-centered approach and separating your purpose from your job.
Website: www.leidoswel.com
Order Book: www.navigatingroughseas.com
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
“Letting Go in Order to Grow”
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Keris goes solo to take some time out to thank her family. Keris shares a personal story about when she was involuntary hospitalized that caused her to move to the east coast with her parents. She reflects on the emotional goodbye when she moved back to the west coast and how her parents needed to let go in order for Keris to grow.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
“Conservatorship” with Alex Barnard
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Alex Barnard (he/him) is a sociologist and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at New York University and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Alex is a part of a project looking at all the bills that reference involuntary treatment, forced medications, civil commitment, guardianship and conservatorship. They talk about getting to why people are refusing services and how listening to that person’s “why” is one of the best ways to understand them plus a look at some important local bills in California.
For more information on “Conservatorship: Inside California’s System of Coercion and Care for Mental Illness” by Alex V. Barnard visit: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/conservatorship/9780231210256
Also to learn more about Alex Barnard visit https://alexvbarnard.org/
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
“Activate Hope”
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Keris shares how she’s feeling during this African American History Month and how she’s looking for change. She talks about finding those bright lights in your life, what makes her happy when she’s feeling disheartened and enacting and activating hope.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Mark Tuggle (He/Him) is the author and editor of “Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls: Black Men Speak about Mental Health” and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Mark explains the process of getting a book published and why he wrote the book about mental health. They talk about the focus on the mental health of Black men and the common themes of the stories that were shared in the book.
For more information on the book “Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls: Black Men Speak about Mental Health” visit: https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Silence-Wounded-Souls-Mental/dp/B0BW2RSRQN
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline