Unapologetically Black Unicorns

Elizabeth Morrison PhD, LCSW, MAC (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Master Addiction Counselor, the Co-Creator of the LCA and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Elizabeth talks about the Lay Counselor Academy and why lived experience is key. They talk about tapping into people’s core gift, supporting employee mental health and why we don’t need to fix people when they share their struggles with you.

On the eve of Independence Day, the House passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a $4.5 trillion package. Inside that bill…over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare over ten years. So Keris has a conversation with ‘Medicaid’ to see how it felt about the bill passing.

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are availab...

Elizabeth Morrison PhD, LCSW, MAC (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified Master Addiction Counselor, the Co-Creator of the LCA and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Elizabeth talks about the Lay Counselor Academy and why lived experience is key. They talk about tapping into people’s core gift, supporting employee mental health and why we don’t need to fix people when they share their struggles with you.

Lauren Clark (She/Her), PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor of Nursing at UCLA, a teacher in the Disability Studies Department, and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. In this episode, Lauren shares insights from her work and reflects on the groundbreaking legacy of Judy Heumann, a trailblazer in disability advocacy. She discusses how they aim to continue Judy’s work through their community partnership project at the Judy Heumann Lab, foc...

Keris celebrates a birthday, along with her birthday triplets, which also marks the anniversary of the release of the podcast. This episode is about the hauntings of the ghost network and how we can fight back against its evil ways.

Tell your story about ghost networks:

PERSONAL (patient and or family members): https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/VNszzRw78dtaNiOfWw3atp     PROVIDER: https://app.storyprompt.com/reply/ezEfe7sWZnJWJhcob...

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 ab...

Keris talks about living in an overwhelming world and the importance of implementing the quiet part of the work. This episode is about just listening and pausing but more importantly getting the rest you need and the rest you deserve. Keris pulls cards for the collective all of which pushes against the grind culture narrative.

Rest is Resistance A Manifesto (audiobook): https://tinyurl.com/mr3pmd8d

The Rest Deck: https://tinyurl.co...

Dr. Jei Africa (he/his/him) is the first openly transgender county behavioral health director in California and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn.  Dr. Africa shares his experience being raised in the Philippines and the disparities he saw when he came to the United States. They talk about bringing people together to create change, cultural humility and the importance of being visible.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is no...

Following the Met Gala, Keris talks about why fashion interests her and who influenced her style. She speaks on the origin of the Met Gala’s theme this year – “Black Dandyism” and how it was a tool of rebellion, joy and self-definition.

Keris’ Met Gala “Look Book” - bit.ly

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

Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

Transcripts are availab...

This is Part II, a continuation of Keris reading an excerpt from her father’s book “Protect and Defend: the U.S.’ Promise and Performance (In an Age of Uncertainty).” Howard A. Myrick took an oath upon being commissioned as a young U.S. Army officer, pledging to “…protect and defend the Constitution of the United States … against all enemies – foreign and domestic” and here is a portion of his account read by his daughter.

“Protect...

Keris reads an excerpt from her father’s book “Protect and Defend: the U.S.’ Promise and Performance (In an Age of Uncertainty).” Howard A. Myrick took an oath upon being commissioned as a young U.S. Army officer, pledging to “…protect and defend the Constitution of the United States … against all enemies – foreign and domestic” and here is a portion of his account read by his daughter. This is Part 1.

“Protect and Defend” by Howar...

Preston Mitchum (he/him) is the Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs with The Trevor Project and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Preston shares what The Trevor Project does as an organization and how they try to reach and support LGBTQ young people. They talk about how Preston  always wanted to support people and fight for their access, how The Trevor Project crisis counselors are trained to meet the needs of LGBTQ ...

Nicole Kwan (she/her) is a mental health advocate and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nicole talks about how mental health was stigmatized in her own culture and how she found people to talk to and support her. They talk about the focus on immigrant mental health, getting more young people to the table and the importance of compassion, kindness and empathy.

Listen to the "Youth on Mental Health" playlist on Youtube:

https...

Nandini Nema (she/her) is a gap year student who is making an impact in mental health and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Nandini shares the work she’s done as a youth representative with UNICEF by help building child friendly cities. They talk about how mindfulness is a process, working in tech as a Google summer scholar, what they would do encourage people to get into the field of mental health and they share some of th...

Keris had a dream about this thing called “CADRE” and her dream has become a reality. CADRE stands for Collective Action Democratized by Relevant Experience, and it is both a policy academy and it is a movement. Keris speaks on where the CADRE Policy Academy will be housed and we’ll hear from some participants who talk about their personal experience with the program.

To access the online CADRE training :  go.mydrkatz.com/cadre-p...

200 episodes! Keris started the podcast wanting to only do 15 episodes capturing people’s stories and it has grown into a movement. She shares some highlights over 200 episodes and where the podcast is going to go from here.

We want to hear from you. What ideas or topics do you have for the next 200 episode? Contact the show: UBU@UnapologeticallyBlackUnicorns.info

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

Fajr DeLane (she/her) is the CEO of F^3: Fun. Fit. Fabulous! Health & Wellness Mentoring Program and she is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Fajr shares her inspiration for starting the “Fun. Fit. Fabulous!” program and how her camp was about inspiring the girls/women in her community. They talk about making time for self-care, how her work intersects with mental health and taking the time to start the conversation about ment...

Kana Enomoto (she/her) is the director of brain health for the McKinsey Health Institute and Reina Chiang (she/her) is a college student and a mental health advocate and they are Unapologetically Black Unicorns. Kana and Reina discuss their personal experiences when crisis showed up in their home and why the emergency room could do more to support mental health crisis. They talk about why mental health and medical conditions should...