No, the vaccine isn’t an effort to sterilize Black people. It can’t alter your DNA. It won’t implant a microchip to track your movements. And no, Black Folks and other people of color are not being used as guinea pigs. Despite the desired intent for vaccination, there are still barriers preventing increased vaccination rates in the Black Community. One of the main reasons for lower vaccination rates by race and ethnicity is the significant misinformation about vaccines and lack of health education. On this episode we discuss the need to tune out the conspiracy theories, get vaccinated, and Save Lives! Including YOURS! Available wherever you get your podcasts! Tell Siri and Alexa to "Play The Black Mental Matters Podcast!” 

College can be a stressful time for young people and their parents... When you add COVID, racism, police brutality, and other obstacles, it can become downright frightening and lead our young people into unwanted situations. On this episode we talk with Dr John Dunkle of the JED Foundation. JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. They are partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems, equipping teens and young adults and their families with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other.

With the news of Simone Biles pulling out of the Olympic finals and choosing her mental health first, we are seeing a movement among elite Black athletes who are taking a public stand to advocate for their own and others’ mental health. There has been a surge of elite athletes who have spoken out and shown the strain of what it is like to be under pressure and to be in the limelight.

Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic movement of civil-rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine U.S. law as it intersects with issues of race in the U.S. and to challenge mainstream American liberal approaches to racial justice. Over the past six months, Republicans in more than two dozen states have proposed bills that aim to stop educational discussions about race, racism, and systemic oppression in the US — potentially eliminating the conversations altogether. We dive into what CRT really is and why it is Critical to the advancement of America

Our culture, beliefs, sexual identity, values, race and language all affect how we perceive and experience mental health conditions. In fact, cultural differences can influence what treatments, coping mechanisms and supports work for us. In order for the Black Community to improve mental health outcomes overall, we need more culturally competent professionals that look like, speak like and understand like we do. On this episode our special guest, Brittany Woodard speaks on her journey and experience as a young mental health professional searching for the truth to help our communities...

Could what you believe about yourself impact your success or failure? Believe it or not, your beliefs play a pivotal role in what you want and whether you achieve it. It is your MINDSET that plays a significant role in determining achievement and success. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in any given situation. On this episode, we discuss how to develop a good mindset with Mindset Mastery Mentor Suzan Hart