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Provider Picks: Amplifying black voices & resources for Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, a few of our providers are amplifying the voices of some of their favorite black authors and creators. Some of these resources are specifically related to health and wellness, while others are for more general audiences. We hope you enjoy!

 

Black History Month resources from Black authors & creators

Black Psychoanalysts Speak

“I’m recommending this because I believe in and am excited about their mission of centering Black experiences within therapy both as practitioners and client. The videos this group makes are fantastic.”

– Ameen Wahba, PLMHP

Octavia Butler

“I came across Octavia Butler many years ago and loved her work. in the last few years I’ve come back to her science-fiction novels with an even deeper appreciation of her wisdom. She has inspired thought leaders like adrienne marie brown and her novels are now being adapted on the screen. Her work captures the intricate complexities of our current social challenges through powerful and compelling writing.”
– Julie Luzarraga, LICSW

 

The Parable Series by Octavia Butler

“These dystopian novels really center the reality that change is constant and life is complicated. Disturbing and powerful, I love these books.”
– Ameen Wahba, PLMHP

 

Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW

“I really enjoy Nedra’s approachable writing about boundaries and social relationships. She understands that putting up boundaries is a process that is deeply ingrained in sociocultural idiosyncrasies. She also has a great series of clips where she explains all sorts of concepts from a self-care standpoint. I find myself sharing them with clients, groups and friends often and recommending her content. A clip I greatly enjoyed and that has provided food for thought is her explanation of what PRECARE means. I encourage anyone to watch it!”
– Coral Nieves, PLMHP, MA, MS

 

Tricia Hersey & The Nap Ministry

“When I first heard Tricia Hersey describe “rest as resistance” on Glennon Doyle’s podcast, it blew my mind. Hersey does an amazing job of connecting our modern “grind culture” to its roots in chattel slavery, white supremacy, and capitalism, and how sleep deprivation and rest are public health and social justice issues. Hersey’s book “Rest is Resistance” is at the top of my reading list.”
– Johnna Hjersman Everson, LMHP, CMFT

 

“Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma” by Gail Parker

“Parker was a pioneer for racially-aware yoga practices and is a very respected teacher. In this book, she marries the practices for stress and trauma really well with a cultural awareness lens.”
– Stephanie Watson, RYT 500

 

Scene on Radio, Season 4: The Land that Has Never Been Yet

“This season covers the history of our country, talking about all the things I, at least, never learned in school about how thoroughly our country had been set up for over 200 years to keep the elite, white folk in power despite rhetoric, documents, etc. that might lead us to believe differently. While it is not specifically “anti-racism training,”  it is a powerful grounding in dispelling some of the myths we believe as truths about our democracy.”
– Kate Hennessy-Keimig, PsyD, LP

 

“The Way of Tenderness” by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel

https://zenju.org/the-way-of-tenderness/

“What does liberation mean when I have incarnated in a particular body with a particular shape, color, and sex?”

“This book applies a lens of intersectionality to Zen Buddhism, recognizing that liberation has to happen on a number of different levels. And what a beautiful way that it could start with the self? The author weaves all of those things together through her own lived experiences as a bisexual black woman.”

– Aurora Moreno, LICSW