A poem by Zorefa Mohammed

In this episode Kim shares the adversities of poverty her family endured living in America, not having enough food to eat on a daily basis, having to postpone education to help her family financially, taking on the responsibility of caregiver at an early age. Furthermore, Kim shares her experience being the offspring of an affair her mother had while her father was serving a military deployment in Korea and in spite of the circumstances, the man who could have had every reason to shun her, instead showed Kim immense love and care. This is her story. Music By: www.bensound.com

In this episode I talk about how art reflects the times. 1937 a Jewish American man Abel Meeropol, disturbed by Caucasian families picnicking lynched bodies of African Americans in the south of the United States, wrote a poem which he turned into song called strange fruit. A song years later made famous by Billie Holiday. If you are at home wondering with all this madness going on in the world, what can I do? I give you the words of one my favorite people. Dr. Maya Angelou. She says: “You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.” The poem you going to hear is called I Too Am American, recited by my wife Jade and I. You may find more of my poems in my book called “The Moon Rises With Light”. Sold on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in hard cover, paper back and ebook.

In this episode, Ericka a Social Worker by profession shares the exploration of her vulnerable struggle with mental illness. As a person of African American decent she touches on the variety of supports she has examined in her life to overcome her challenges. This is her story. Music By: www.bensound.com

In this episode Ben a recent Nursing graduate from American International College shares the story of how his mother’s depression and addiction began a chain of events that eventually lead him into foster care. Despite the challenges he faced, Ben used the experiences as examples of how he didn’t want to be and became determined to transform his trauma into triumph. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of having a positive support system regardless of whether they are ones biological family. This is his story. Music By: www.bensound.com

In this episode, Alisha a nurse by occupation, the wife of a U.S Army veteran shares some of the challenges their family faces since her husband’s return from military service in Afghanistan. Alisha discusses how her role changed from wife to caregiver. She highlights the complexities of navigating the VA health care system and the importance of being a firm, informed advocate. Furthermore, she talks about the effects of her husband’s mental health condition on their children and what they all do to cope. This is her story. Music By: www.bensound.com

Today we hear a personal story from Jen. As an office manager of a nonprofit mental health agency. She is able to see both sides of the spectrum, of people seeking help and those helping. However her view and understanding of mental illness and mental health grew through uncovering her own sons struggle with depression. Jen goes on to talk about some of the barriers and challenges in the way of access to mental health services as well as how mental illness has impacted her family as a whole. This is her story. Music By: www.bensound.com