Unapologetically Black Unicorns

Michael Chrzan (he/him) is a Data Scientist at the Center for Educational Data Science and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Michael talks about the importance of approaching AI with curiosity while also recognizing its limitations and potential consequences. They explore the benefits and risks of AI, including access and equity, mental health applications and they consider what responsible AI use could look like as the tech...

Ellis Gordon Jr. (he/him) is treasurer of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and he is the former husband of Bebe Moore Campbell. Ellis shares the story of how he met Bebe Moore Campbell and why it was so important to name the month of July after Bebe. They talk about the inception of NAMI Urban Los Angeles, how NAMI is community-centric and community-centered and continuing the goal of erasing the stigma.

This episode is sponsored by Janssen...

Dr. Raquel Martin (she/her) is a licensed Psychologist, Professor, Scientist and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Martin shares insights from her research on how identity and community influence the mental health of Black youth. They talk about the importance of culturally informed research and investing in the next generation's mental health.

This special five-part series on Black Youth Mental Health is supported by H...

Dr. Danielle Hairston (she/her) is a Double-Board Certified Psychiatrist, the Psychiatry Residency Program Director at Howard University College of Medicine and Hospital, a Hope Lab HBCU Translational Science Fellow and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Hairston talks about creating wellness experiences for Black youth that promote mental health, belonging and community. They discuss meeting young people where they are ...

Dr. Breonte Guy (he/him) is Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Winston-Salem State University and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Guy talks about G.A.M.E. (Gamified Activities for Mental Empowerment), a culturally responsive digital mental health platform co-created with Black and Brown youth. They talk how gaming, helps create a sense of belonging and community and how that can ...

Dr. Billie Castle (she/her) is Assistant Professor of Public Health at Xavier University of Lousiana and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Drawing on her work with the HopeLab HBCU Translational Science Fellowship, Dr. Castle shares how young people are transforming lived experiences into meaningful action. They talk about the power of youth leadership, community-engaged research and creating space for the next generation t...

Julie Tinker (she/her) is Principle at Hopelab and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. This is the launch of a series highlighting Black Youth Mental Health and the groundbreaking work of the HopeLab HBCU Translational Science Fellowship. They discuss how HBCU researchers are turning research into practical solutions that improve the lives of Black youth.

This special five-part series on Black Youth Mental Health is supported...

Dr. Andre Johnson (he/him) is the Founder/CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project (DRP), and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Johnson talks about the ideas in his book “The Recovery Ecosystem: A Wholistic Approach to Recovery” which is a guide for healing and progress in the journey of addiction recovery. They talk about the organization being a peer-run Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, (CCBHC) the ...

Enola Aird is the Founder and President of the Community Healing Network and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Enola shares how she is mobilizing Black people to heal from the lie of white superiority and Black inferiority. They talk about the impact of Marcus Garvey, making the Emotional Emancipation Circles a safe space for Black people and defying the lie and embracing the truth.

To learn more about Emotional Emancipation Circl...

Gaelynn Lea is a musician, author, public speaker, disability advocate and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Gaelynn shares her journey as a violinist, the winner of a Tiny Desk Contest and writing her book “Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect.” They talk about representation, Medicaid and disability rights, and the powerful reminder that you may not always see the people whose lives are being changed by your work.

Websites: Ga...

Happy Birthday UBU!

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,...

From the beautiful view at Niagara Falls, Keris reflects on the people whose support, encouragement and belief helped shape her mental health recovery and her career. Keris shares stories about her mentors, friends and some unexpected connections. She explores the value of support and it serves as a reminder to reach out and let people know how much they have meant in your life.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 ...

Kelechi Ubozoh (she/her) is a peer supporter, a Black Liberatory Coach, co-editor of “We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health,” a contributor to the anthology “Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives” and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Keris and Kelechi reflect on why they decided to rethink the nuances of talking about Black hair and when and ...

Charlotte Blease, PhD (she/her) is an Academic, Author, Public Speaker and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Charlotte talks about what influenced her to write a book about AI in health care and the pros and cons of technology in the health care system. They talk about how AI could combat built in biases, how generative AI is already appearing with doctors and patients and truly working on getting the patient the best care possibl...

Reid Davenport (he/him) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Reid talks about disability rights, medical ableism and the things that shape how society values disabled lives. They talk about Reid’s powerful film “Life After” and the issues it raises about the value of a person’s autonomy, the intersectionality of race and disability and the supports people nee...

Wendy White Tiegreen (she/her), MSW, is the former Director of Medicaid and Health System Innovation for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Wendy shares how she became part of the movement that reshaped mental health services nationwide. They talk about policy battles, the long-term impact of embedding peer specialists into the system and how ad...

Taina Martinez (she/her/Ella) is the CEO of Baltic Street Wellness Solutions and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Tiana shares her powerful journey from a small retail program to one of the largest peer-led organizations in the country. They talk about education and lived experience, challenging ideas about what it means to belong in peer spaces and emphasizing growth, connection and self-advocacy.

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Rhonda Smith (she/her) the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network and Yolanda Whittington LCSW (She/Her), is a member of the California Black Health Network’s Behavioral Health Peer Network and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Rhonda and Yolanda discuss the fight for better health outcomes and equity for Black Californians. They discuss an upcoming virtual conference focused on black mental health,...

In this episode of Unapologetically Black Unicorns, Keris tackles a tough and complex subject that requires her to be vulnerable in sharing her thoughts, experiences, research and observations over the years about mental health panels. Keris unpacks the history and harm behind labels like “Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)” and “Serious Mental Illness (SMI),” challenging how language can shape fea...