Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at⁠ 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

In this episode of We’re Not OK: A Community of Healing, we sit down with Dr. Shanéa Thomas, Ed.D, LICSW (He/She/Dr.), a bold lecturer, seasoned scholar-practitioner, and LGBTQ+ training specialist with over 20 years of clinical social work experience.

Through his organization, Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services, Dr. Thomas trains and strategizes withsocial workers, educators, and service providers to create safer therapeutic, educational, and workplace spaces — especially for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. He has facilitated over 120 workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Dr. Thomas shares insights on the intersections of death, identity, and healing, exploring how grief,suicide prevention, and inclusive care are shaped by gender, sexuality, and marginalized identities. He also draws on his TEDx talk, “Everybody Feels Sad”, discussing mental health, grief, and the universality of human emotion.

This conversation offers powerful guidance for anyone seeking to understand grief, support healing, andhonor identity in times of loss, while centering marginalized voices and creating inclusive spaces.

Connect with Dr. Thomas:

Facebook: Shanéa Thomas

Instagram: drkchocolatnoir (main), drshaneathomas (professional)

Tiktok: drkchocolatnoir

Carrd Site: https://drshaneathomas.carrd.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshaneathomas/

Interactive VisualCatalog: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGr4xJvb8c/_rfSAYTrG08MUT-18c9_Uw/view?utm_content=DAGr4xJvb8c&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hd346a42b74

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠@notokbookproject⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. "If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the ⁠988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline⁠⁠ at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can ⁠contact safety teams at the social media company⁠ . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need."

This week, we sat down with Dr. Pamela Buchanan, the visionary behind Strong Medicine, to examine the often-unspoken toll that stress and mental health challenges take on healthcare professionals—especially those working in the ER. Together, we explore the silent crisis facing those on the frontlines of care and what it truly means to reclaim wellness, resilience, and balance in demanding environments.

With a mission to empower physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and women leaders, Dr. Buchanan guides others to master stress, discover their purpose, and create lives rooted in health, wealth, and fulfillment. Through her signature programs and coaching, she helps women heal from within, prevent disease, and thrive with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

This conversation challenges us to rethink how we care for ourselves, especially those on the frontlines of care.

For more info visit: drbstrong.com.

Connect with us:

Follow @notokbookproject

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

We’re Back – Welcome to Season 5!

In the season opener, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Alford Young Jr.—University of Michigan professor and founding director of The Scholars Network on Masculinity and the Well-Being of African American Men—to explore the complexities of Black male identity.

Together, they unpack the burdens, expectations, and societal pressures that shape how Black masculinity is perceived and lived. From emotional repression to distorted public narratives, the conversation examines how these forces impact mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Dr. Young offers powerful insight into how healing begins—not just through research, but through honest, community-centered dialogue.

Welcome to the Season 4 Finale!

Today, hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Dr. Shawntal Z. Brown, a seasoned higher education professional and DEI advocate, to discuss the emotional and professional challenges faced by DEI practitioners amid increasing institutional pushback.

Shawntal shares insights from her article, "What to Expect When Expecting a DEI Layoff," where she candidly reflects on her own experience of being laid off due to anti-DEI legislation. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, community support, and resilience during such transitions. The conversation delves into the broader implications of these layoffs on the higher education landscape and the ongoing fight for inclusive excellence.

Connect with Dr. Brown:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShawntalBrown

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawntal_brown_22/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawntalbrown/

TADOHE: https://www.tadohe.com/

TADOHE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-association-of-diversity-officers-in-

higher-education/?viewAsMember=true

TADOHE Twitter: https://x.com/TADOHE2

TADOHE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tadohe

Connect with us:

Follow @notokbookprojectFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

In this powerful episode, host Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart sit down with Amanda Hollowell, Interim Chief of Campaigns at Color of Change—the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. With a career rooted in organizing, advocacy, and bold leadership, Amanda shares how she and her team are pushing campaigns that hold power to account and create lasting change for Black communities.

From her early days with 9to5 Georgia to national impact with When We All Vote, Amanda’s journey reflects the heart of grassroots power meeting policy. We also talk about motherhood, legacy, and what it truly means to lead with purpose in a world that often resists justice.

This conversation will leave you charged up and ready to take action, offering both inspiration and practical insight on how to step into the fight for equity with intention and impact.

Connect with Color of Change:

https://www.facebook.com/colorofchange

https://x.com/ColorOfChange

https://www.youtube.com/user/colorofchange

https://www.instagram.com/colorofchange/

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Get ready for an eye-opening, honest, and inspiring conversation with Jane Dunhamn—founder and Director of the National Black Disability Coalition (NBDC) and a trailblazer in Black disability advocacy with over 50 years of experience.

Speaking with hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart, Ms. Dunhamn breaks down the big issues: ableism, the myths we believe about disability, how households respond to disabled family members, and what real inclusion actually looks like. Together, we talk about why disability justice matters, how race and disability intersect, and what all of us can do to better show up for disabled communities.

You won’t want to miss this one!

http://www.blackdisability.org

Connect with us:

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@notokbookproject⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@thenotokpodcast⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@antijaallen⁠⁠⁠

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@justwrite_stewart87⁠⁠

Hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart are talking lab coats, legacy and breaking all the ceilings with the brilliant Dr. Russell J. Ledet - co-founder and president of The 15 White Coats. In a journey from US Navy Veteran to Security Guard to a trailblazing, triple-boarded physician, Dr. Ledet is rewriting what success looks like in medicine.

In this episode, we talk about disrupting the status quo, why representation in the white coats matters for Black health outcomes, and how he's opening the doors for the next generation of Black excellence in medicine.

You'll leave this convo feeling inspired, empowered and reassured that "they not like us".

Learn More:
https://www.russellledet.com/
https://linktr.ee/drrussellledet
https://www.the15whitecoats.org/

More info on hosts, Justin & Antija: We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

Today's episode is a mini reunion, as hosts Dr. Antija Allen and Justin Stewart are joined by Dr. Anica Mulzac.

Creator/Founder of Race (+) Positive, LLC, Dr. Anica also contributed the chapter "Preserving the Mental Health of Black and Brown Professors in Academia" to their 2022 book, "We're Not OK: Black Faculty Experiences and Higher Education Strategies".
Dr. Anica is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in human behavior and group dynamics. As the Executive Clinical Director and Provost at Resilience Lab, Dr. Anica spearheads the development and expansion of the Resilience Institute, a learning platform for professional staff. She combines her passion for Race + Diversity with years of clinical training, research, and experience to help leaders and educators dismantle all expressions of racism, prejudice, and bias in their unique spheres of influence.
Join us as we welcome Dr. Anica to the stage.

Website: www.doctoranica.com

Instagram: Dr_Anica

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn: @DoctorAnica

Connect with us: We're Not OK | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree