The Blind Stigma podcast - hosted by Stacy-Ann Buchanan and Dr. Natasha Williams aims to provide a safe space that explores mental health within the black community, break down the stigmas attached and take back our narratives.

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Shelly Skinner is a social entrepreneur, activist and President and Founder of UPlift Black She speaks truth to power and candidly in hopes to empower and inspire others to join her in anti-oppressive practices with the goal of achieving social justice and true equity for all.IG: @becomingshellyann

Season Three Episode 7 - featuring Shelly Skinner

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Sanaaj Mirrie is a social entrepreneur, cultural arts ambassador, dancer and founder of Afiwi Groove School in Ajax. Her story started in Jamaica where she was introduced to dance an art form to express, empower and inspire herself from her every day struggles growing up in the &#34;ghetto&#34;.She migrated to Canada at the age of 14 where she was introduced to African dancing and drumming. By 21, Sanaaj was formally trained by renowned artists and performed locally and internationally in Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Ghana, and Trinidad &amp; Tobago.Established in 2013, the Afiwi program promotes positive self-esteem, confidence, and an active lifestyle while educating and connecting participants to Arts and culture of the African Diaspora.IG: @sanaaj_mirrie

Season Three Episode 6 - featuring Sanaaj Mirrie

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A professional event planner, inspirational speaker, community advocate and podcaster, the multi-faceted Nicole Waldron works tirelessly for the advancement, progress, and prosperity of her community.Nicole hosts the “Victory Speaks” Podcast, which provides listeners with the tools to be Mentally Fit. In addition, she launched the “Victory Speaks Online Show”, where guests Inspire, empower, and equip listeners with the tools to live a life of victory through the “Inspired Conversation” and “Minding our Mind” series. Nicole works for the advancement and prosperity of her community and works to raise awareness on Co-op housing, Mental Health and issues affecting the Black Community.She serves on the board of The Cooperators and the Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada). She serves on committees with the Canadian Mental Health Hospital (CAMH), Stellas Place, Ontario Family Caregivers Advisory Network (OFCAN) and the Ontario Caregivers Association Family Advisors.Nicole was named one of the 100 Black Accomplished Canadian Women and one of 150 Women in Canada by How She Hustles’ HERstory in Black series. She is the recipient of the 2020 Brian Burch Community Service Award from CHFT, the Outstanding Community Service Award from Dance Caribe. Nicole was also presented with the Social Housing Service Corporation Kathleen Blinkhorn Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. Instagram |Twitter and YouTube: @VictorySpeaks7Facebook: VictorySpeaks77

Season Three Episode 5 - featuring Nicole Waldron

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Debbie Mulder holds a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a registered psychotherapist, speaker and a mental health advocate. Debbie is passionate about equipping individuals and groups with the tools and resources needed to educate and motivate themselves as well as advocate on their own behalf. Her work is guided from an anti-oppressive, healing focused, trauma informed and anti-Black racism lens.  As a therapist for 15 years, Debbie works to erase the stigma associated with mental health and giving people the tools they need to share their story and recognize that they are not alone on this journey.  Instagram: @debbie_opoku1

Season Three Episode 4 - featuring Debbie Mulder

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Jael Joseph is a journalist, podcast producer, influencer, emcee and mom to two boys. She is the founder of <a href="http://blackislandgirl.com/" rel="nofollow">blackislandgirl.com</a> an online magazine and podcast that profiles prolific Caribbean women of African heritage as well as video cast and podcast Cacoa Tea (Ca-Co) with Jael Joseph currently in its 4th season. Her beats are culture, race and gender and she contributes occasionally to various publications both in Canada and the Caribbean.Socials: IG/Twitter @jaeljoseph Facebook @jaeliis Website: <a href="http://www.jaeljoseph.com/" rel="nofollow">www.jaeljoseph.com</a>

Season Three Episode 3 - featuring Jael Joseph

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Aspiring Entrepreneur with a background in EMS, Security Services and Transportation - Brandon P. O&#39;Mara shares his story.Facebook: Brandon P. O&#39;MaraIG: @brandonpomara

Season Three Episode 2 - featuring Brandon P. O'Mara

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Trey Anthony is an award-winning writer, motivational speaker, and relationship/life coach. She is the first black woman in Canada to have a television series on a prime time network. Her work includes the plays, &#39;da Kink in My Hair and How Black Mothers Say I Love You. Trey&#39;s life purpose is to empower women to live their best damn lives! Her new book, Black Girl in Love (with herself), published by Hay House, will be available January 2021. She divides her time between Atlanta and Toronto. She is an adoption advocate and the proud momma bear to her son Kai. In her spare time, she enjoys laughing at herself and all her antics and eating cupcakes! Follow Trey on Instagram @blackgirlinlove and visit <a href="http://treyanthony.com/" rel="nofollow">treyanthony.com</a> to learn more about her.Socials: @blackgirlinloveThe Blind Stigma podcast is produced by Stacy-Ann Buchanan Productions and @watsuptoronto.Please don&#39;t forget to:✅Subscribe✅Review✅RateYour support is greatly appreciated.

Season 3 Episode 1 - featuring Trey Anthony

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Dr. Natasha Williams is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and the past Chair of the Board of Directors at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands, a Community Health Centre for black women and women of colour in Toronto. Dr. Williams is a member of the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). She was the OPA’s diversity delegate representative at the APA State Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. in 2011 and is the past Chair of the OPA Diversity Task Force whose aim is to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and to promote ongoing efforts to influence social change in the field of psychology practice in Ontario. She is also a past board member of the Ontario Psychological Association. Dr. Williams is a past faculty member with the Bridge Training program for internationally trained mental health professionals and a former trainer for TAPE Educational services which provides professional development programs for clinical teams at healthcare centres and human services organizations. She is also the former lead trainer with the Adler Graduate Professional School in the CBT certificate program. Dr. Williams is a guest facilitator/trainer with CAMH in topics such as culturally adapting cognitive behavioural therapy for the English-speaking Caribbean community and Motivational Interviewing. Dr. Williams is the Clinical Director of Allied Psychological Services and she is the current President of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPSI). Buchanan&#39;s impact, entrepreneurial work ethic and achievements have led her to being selected as one of the 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, one of the 150 Black Women Making Canada Better, one of the 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health and landing a TEDx Talk.The self-directed and self-produced, award winning documentary, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=7s&v=-j1xTgAK1PA" rel="nofollow">The Blind Stigma,</a> made Canadian history when it debuted as the first documentary produced in Canada that takes an in-depth look at how mental health is perceived within the Black community, and cemented Buchanan as a documentary film maker. The film chronicles the testimonies of five individuals (including herself) on their trials and triumphs with mental health by removing the veil of shame that clouds the topic in the Black communities. As a recognized brand, The Blind Stigma has since branched out into a podcast that continues to explore such stigmas, dissect the multiple factors that aid towards mental illness in the Black communities and provides a safe space for stories to be heard. She is also co-donor of the annual - The Buchanan Scholarship. The educational award is granted to a student entering their first year of post-secondary education in the Liberal Arts or the Fine Arts program and is based on a demonstrated financial need and having an excellent academic record. Highlighted as an influential leader within her community, Stacy-Ann’s courageous vulnerability in sharing her past experiences with anxiety and suicidal depression in her have landed her numerous keynote speaking engagements throughout North America and the Caribbean, and appointed her to facilitate multiple workshops on “Changing The Stigma” throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Her body of work has firmly pivoted her career on challenging anti-Black systemic racism by taking holistic approaches to demystify and decolonize how mental health is perceived and addressed within the Black/BIPOC communities. Through raising awareness, directing positive dialogues to fuel resources, and orchestrating safe, constructive spaces for black voices to be amplified, Stacy-Ann Buchanan’s ultimate objective is to take back the Black narrative.

Season 2.5 Episode Four - featuring Dr. Natasha Williams and Stacy-Ann Buchanan

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Pauleanna Reid is a senior contributor at ForbesWomen and founder of The WritersBlok, a full-service celebrity ghostwriting agency. A purpose-driven entrepreneur with a storied career, when she doesn’t have a pen in her hand you can find Pauleanna mentoring millennial women and delivering university guest lectures on entrepreneurship; fulfilling a passion to light up dull classroom curriculums with real-world experience. She is also a mental health advocate and public speaker widely known for using clever wit and candor to help young adults see beyond the limits of their circumstances. Pauleanna recently graduated from the Women&#39;s Leadership Program at Yale School of Management. She is an active member of a chess club, has written two books, and loves to volunteer.

Season 2.5 - Episode Three - Pauleanna Reid

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King is an individual who knows no bounds when it comes to conquering the hardships life has to offer. These hardships have led him to his enormous ambition to be the best that he can be. One of the most challenging times of his life was during his 2-year incarceration; through that struggle, he came out knowing that he had to make a change. A change not only to his life but to make a difference in others as well. King’s motivation comes from multiple outlets, but one of his strongest motivators to succeed derives from the loved ones he has lost. Being in the life he once led, he has lost family and close friends through terrible illnesses and horrific acts of violence. King uses his grief as a tool of empowerment - to work harder and create something that will help motivate and inspire rather than succumb to pain and hatred. He is the founder of AIA Entertainment and works tirelessly to provide opportunities to his communities through advising, counselling, and providing work to his community members. King’s primary purpose has always been to achieve greatness not only for himself but for those who no longer have the opportunities. King’s work ethic, as well as his drive to represent his community, soars through his poetry and music. He writes about the world he comes from and still inhabits, shining a harsh light on its flaws and celebrating its beauty. His poetic voice is singular, and he is not afraid to go difficult places, to challenge himself and his listeners. He encourages everyone to look beyond their everyday superficial masks, to become their unapologetic self.

Season 2.5 - Episode Two - featuring Freddy King

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Season 2.5 features the stars of the award winning documentary, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=68s&v=fOSq78CycSc" rel="nofollow">The Blind Stigma </a>and gives an inside look at the trajectory of their lives since the film debuted in 2015.Lisa Gibson is a proud mother of three, a social justice advocate and 30+year support facilitator.Listen to how her life has changed since the documentary debuted and revolutionized destigmatizing mental health in the Black community.

Season 2.5 Episode One - featuring Lisa Gibson

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Hosted by Stacy-Ann Buchanan and Dr. Natasha Williams, The Blind Stigma podcast aims to provide a safe space that explores mental health within the black community, break down the stigmas attached and take back our narratives.

Welcome to The Blind Stigma Podcast

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Jason Humphreys Kinte is an author, spoken word artist, entrepreneur and career coach, and a mental health advocate. Jason has been featured in news articles, on TV and online for his service to the community. He overcame a bout with depression to found Phree Shares Inc. (the best at making people happy for free) in 1999 while completing a business degree and French minor at University of Toronto. He started Toronto Poets as a club that started the Increase the Peace campaign in 2002. In 2011 he started The Pen&#39;s Power and the Pen&#39;s Power Club, divisions of Dream Livers Club Inc., a for-profit, global version of a registered non-profit of Toronto Poets. Think Phreely Student Systems helps students to develop a healthy mindset and achieve all that they are capable of achieving in life. Instagram @iamgiftedlikeyou Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jason.kinte" rel="nofollow">www.facebook.com/jason.kinte</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/giftedlikeyou" rel="nofollow">www.facebook.com/giftedlikeyou</a> YouTUBE: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/jasonkinte" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/jasonkinte</a> LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkinte" rel="nofollow">www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkinte</a>

Season Two. Episode Twelve - featuring Jason Kinte

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Natacha Pennycooke is a Registered Psychotherapist, with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario (CRPO), and owner/operator of Natacha Pennycooke Psychotherapy Services. In her over 10 years of practice as a psychotherapist, speaker and consultant, her work is guided from an anti-oppressive, healing focused, trauma informed and anti-Black racism lens, to unpack and challenge Euro-centric ideologies, systemic oppression and generational traumas that have been detrimental to racialized communities. She has presented at a number of international and national psychological conferences; and, is sought after for her expertise on mental health, coping, racial trauma and healing to speak at various community and corporate events in the Greater Toronto Area, and beyond. She is a founding member and current vice-chair of the Association of Black Psychologists - Toronto Chapter (ABPsi-TO), and actively volunteers as the Mental Health Advisor with Keep6ix Organization. Find her here:Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NatachaPennycookeTherapy/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/NatachaPennycookeTherapy/</a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/natachapennycooke.therapy/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/natachapennycooke.therapy/</a>LinkedIn: <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/in/natachappennycooke" rel="nofollow">https://ca.linkedin.com/in/natachappennycooke</a>

Season Two. Episode Eleven - featuring Natacha Pennycooke

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Award winning Talk Show Host, Karen Carrington, is an Author, Mental Health Advocate, Certified Personal Development Trainer, recipient of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada Award and the Susan B. Anthony iLead Woman in Leadership Award. Her talk show, The Karen Carrington Show, features guests of all walks of life including her men&#39;s series reaching over half a million social media views worldwide. She is a member of Women in Film &amp; Television, has been featured on CTV National News and Ever Talk T.V in Hollywood. Karen Carrington&#39;s life mission is to leave the planet a better place than she found it making sure everyone felt loved. IG: @thekarencarringtonshow IG Website <a href="http://www.karencarrington.com" rel="nofollow">www.karencarrington.com</a>

Season Two. Episode Ten - featuring Karen Carrington

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After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression, Crystal was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist. A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree - because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer on how to: communicate with persons experiencing mental health crises, identify issues related to stigma, recognize the role of the family, access mental health services and issues related to the use of force. Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource Counseling Centre of Durham etc. Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham. Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about mental illness especially in the Black community. Find her:Youtube - Mental Health Speaks OutTwitter - @mentalhealthbeementalhealthspeaksout@gmail.com

Season Two. Episode Nine (part 2 of ep 8) - featuring Crystal Pinnock

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After a traumatic experience leading to severe depression, Crystal was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder by her psychiatrist. A year after the diagnosis,Crystal had a near death experience that led to her decision to take her mental illness and mental health seriously. Almost four years later after almost being shot to death at the U.S border by police, Crystal launched - Mental Health Speaks Out and is a motivational speaker on mental health awareness, and the importance of the removing the veil of shame that has stigmatized mental illness. When Doctors told Crystal and her family that she will never be able to attain a degree - because of her mental illness....Crystal defied the odds placed against her and is now a recognized and honoured facilitator who works alongside the Durham Regional Police Service as a trainer on how to:<ul><li>communicate with persons experiencing mental health crises</li><li>identify issues related to stigma</li><li>recognize the role of the family</li><li>access mental health services</li><li>issues related to the use of force</li></ul> Crystal was awarded for her radio show, Mental Health Speaks Out on Riot Radio at Durham College which talks about mental health and is inclusive of professionals and organizations in the community such as; Durham Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association, Durham Regional Police Service-Mental Health Unit, Naturopathic Doctors, Nutritionist, Women’s Resource Counseling Centre of Durham etc. Crystal has spoken at Colleges and Universities, as well as churches, even libraries and multiple events across the GTA. Her work in the community as led her to being awarded the Starter Company Grant from the Business Advisory Centre of Durham. Pinnock is now studying to become a Mental Health Pastor and has recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakwood University and is working as a Mental Health Evangelist. Crystal is proactively working on a book about her life and her journey with mental health. Her goal is to eradicate the stigmas about mental illness especially in the Black community. Find her:Youtube - Mental Health Speaks OutTwitter - @mentalhealthbee

Season Two. Episode Eight (part 1) - featuring Crystal Pinnock

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Natasha Halliday, MA, CYCP, - has been working in mental health for over 20 years with a specific focus on youth. She has worked in variety of settings including hospitals, schools and community agencies. Natasha believes that we all possess resilience. She is dedicated to uncovering the resilience already there, foster and build resilience where needed, and demonstrating how to grow through adversity. Halliday has facilitated trainings on mental health forensics, and conducted community presentations on a various mental health topics. She has been teaching in the Child and Youth Care Program for over 10 years and has shared her expertise at conferences, on radio podcasts, in workshops, seminars, mental health forums and community events.

Season Two. Episode Seven - featuring Natasha Halliday

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Karen takes us on a journey of her childhood experiences of physical and mental abuse and rejection and lack of love from her mother that followed her into adulthood and landed her in a maze of confusion, anger, bitterness, depression, anxiety, seizures and memory loss.This incredible woman sought professional help by joining a women&#39;s group that helped her to mentally and spiritually de-clutter, clarify and start the process of healing while walking bravely into her purpose. Facebook: Karen SamuelsInstagram: @fierce.diva and @onelastcryjourney

Season Two. Episode Six - featuring Karen Samuels

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Dr. Andre Marseille is an existentialist and positive psychotherapist who is very concerned about climate change and mental wellness - which will be one of the foremost significant issue in the next 10 to 20 years. To learn more about Dr. Andre, please visit: www. <a href="http://safepaces.com" rel="nofollow">safepaces.com</a>Facebook: Andre Roger Eggleston Marseille

Season Two. Episode Five - featuring Dr. Andre R. Marseille

The Blind Stigma podcast - hosted by Stacy-Ann Buchanan and Dr. Natasha Williams aims to provide a safe space that explores mental health within the black community, break down the stigmas attached and take back our narratives.