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

Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. (she/hers) is the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administrator of SAMHSA and an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Dr. Delphin-Rittmon reflects on her roles before joining SAMHSA and some of her mentors through the course of her career. They talk about mental health promotion and early intervention, the data behind the increase in use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, equity focus work including the Black youth suicide summit and why SAMHSA offers hope with their funding of support and services.

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

Keris recorded this podcast on Christmas and shares a Christmas memory from her childhood. She shares the struggles people have during the holiday season and the magic of a picture she saw of a Black Santa when she was young. Keris remembers the sacrifices her dad made and she wants you to know that it gets better.

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

Jeff Olivet (he/him) is the executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Jeff shares how housing is healthcare, and that homelessness is solvable and it’s preventable. They talk about how homelessness is a cross-systems failure and how it requires cross-systems solutions, the importance of having the safety of a place to stay with a door that locks behind you and the cross section of homelessness and mental health.

A message from outgoing USICH Director Jeff Olivet: https://usich.gov/news-events/news/message-outgoing-usich-director-jeff-olivet-despite-challenges-homelessness

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

We talk a lot about the importance of creating supportive environments and it’s one thing to say it but it really only counts if you truly put it into action. After Keris’ personal experience of recently losing her father, she gives her personal takeaways of how other organizations can help ensure their employees can feel supported not just in theory but in practice.

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

Contact the show: [email protected]

DJ Chuang (he/ him) hosts the Erasing Shame podcast (erasingshame.com), the director of Christian Asian Mental health (camh.network), a moderator at Subtle Asian Mental Health and he is an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. DJ talks about his personal experiences with the challenges around finding a safe space and the lack of communication around mental health in the Asian community. They talk about trying to get more than just spiritual wellness in the churches, leaning in on experience over expertise and why the church was the perfect place for DJ to reach other Asian Americans about mental health.

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

Links:

website + blog: https://djchuang.com

twitter: https://twitter.com/djchuang

instagram: https://instagram.com/djchuang

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djchuang

Today’s episode is deeply personal, as it serves both as a tribute and a memorial to Keris’ father, Howard A. Myrick, who passed away on November 12, 2024, at the age of 90. In his honor, we’re excited to introduce a special playlist on this podcast: Conversations with My Father. This collection brings together episodes of heartfelt conversations and moments, alongside stories Keris has written and shared about her father and their family. It’s a celebration of his life, his wisdom, and the Myrick family legacy.

Howard A. Myrick playlist, obituary and donations:  https://linktr.ee/KerisWithaK?utm_source=qr_code

UBU was recorded live on September 21, 2021, during the Annual Conference for the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS). In this workshop leading mental health leaders from diverse backgrounds featured on the Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast join in a lively discussion about lived experiences, leadership, showing up as our authentic selves and addressing equity in behavioral health plus much more. The panelists include:

Khatera Aslami Tamplen (she/her), BS, Certified Advanced WRAP Facilitator

Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services

Office of Peer Support Services Manager

Jei Africa, (he/him) PsyD, MA

Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

County of Marin

Chyrell Bellamy, (She/her/they) PhD, MSW

Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Joint Director, Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH)

Rayshell Chambers, (she/her) MPA

Chief Operating Officer/Co- Founder

Painted Brain

To access the NYAPRS conference click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4hkeDHDyYXdlZBhXu3zIMJ1kKAGCmZ3h

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

Contact the show: [email protected]

Sylvie Trevena (she/her) is a writer and Program Associate and Executive Assistant at Well Being Trust and she is also an Unapologetically Black Unicorn. Sylvie shares why being a parent is so important to her and her experiences raising her transgender son Jake. They talk about checking in with your friends and also taking your own temperature, trying to speak with kids about school safety and having hope for the next generation surrounding mental health.

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

Contact the show: [email protected]

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