Unapologetically Black Unicorns

The Tower Card

Keris goes solo to reflect on some personal meaning behind the artwork of a few Tarot cards. There was one card in particular that resonated with her, the Tower card, and she draws the parallels between the card and her personal experiences. She talks about the old LA county general hospital, being involuntarily hospitalized and she ties it all together by sharing when she had her Tower Card moment.

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

“Lifting Up the Tough Stuff” with Dan Gorenstein

Dan Gorenstein (he/him) is the Founder and Executive Editor of the health policy podcast “Tradeoffs” and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dan shares his beginnings as a journalist and how he moved on to storytelling in podcasts and creating a non-profit media company. They talk about the policy tradeoffs, how their podcasts differ but how they both strive to lift up the tough issues and give a voice to those who need to be heard.

To learn more about Dan Gorenstein’s “Tradeoffs” visit: https://tradeoffs.org/

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

Is A Rose Just A Rose?

Keris goes solo to share a story surrounding a rose and her recovery for National Recovery Month. Walking around Pasadena Keris came upon a rose and a voice told her to stop and smell the roses, why was this rose special and is a rose just a rose? Also, what’s your rose?

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

“Recovery is Possible” with Philip Rutherford

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/

“A Discipline of Hope” with Vesper Moore

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

“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’ 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

“Lived Experience is Expertise” with Damon Watson

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

988 and Crisis System Reform at NCSL

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/

 

“Learning to Laugh on your Own” with Arkayla Tenney Howard

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

“Black Lives Matter: Crisis and Black Mental Health” with Taun Hall

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