The SUITE

02/28/2020

SUITE is representing at the Black Love Matters Conference 2020: Domestic Violence & Cultural Considerations in the African American Community sponsored by SARA and The Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund of Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia.

01/04/2020

Saturday, January 25, 2020!

11/11/2019

“My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you....”
Audre Lorde

Many times a truth, our truth burns inside us, often creating many physiological symptoms (e.g. muscle/ joint aches, frequent headaches, insomnia, etc.) and can manifest into medical and mental health issues.

Take the risk today, speak about what YOU feel, what YOU think, ask for what YOU need, tell ‘em what YOU don’t like. When it is reasonable, remain willing to listen. At all times be willing and active in protecting YOURSELF AND THE ONES YOU ❤️.

How will you use your voice today?

We enjoy interacting with you! Please share how you plan to use your voice in the comment section below.

08/02/2019

We are energizing ourselves!🏖🛩💆🏿‍♀️
Share with us what you are doing this summer to pour into yourself! 😊

Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-thjjw-b5437a Time off is essential to our mental health, yet three in ten put our holidays on standby and we leave the...

06/16/2019

What we SAW 🧠(and what we KNOW❤️)while watching “When They See Us”

Denial of fundamental right to happiness, freedom, visibility, protection, and to just BE.

Finally, the scene of KOREY while in solitary confinement, seemingly experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations. In the scene, he was with the girl from his short and fleeting boyhood, going to Coney Island. In this scene, KOREY asked for the girl’s consent to kiss her; this juxtaposition of him and the other children being wrongfully and falsely convicted of r**e.

For the readers of post this post, please identify your level of privilege(s) as a result of your race, social economic status, education, profession, etc.

What will you do to ensure folks without your advantage are emotionally and physically safe, protected, and allowed to just BE?

06/15/2019

What we SAW 🧠(and what we KNOW❤️) while watching “When They See Us”

Fear - Courage

An article in “Psychology Today” titled, “Power and Emotion”, written by Dr. Paul Thagard, Ph.D. gives some insight regarding the power of experiencing FEAR. In the article, Dr. Thagard states “... the primary emotion in coercive power is FEAR: people do what others want because they FEAR that the consequences of non-compliance will be physically or emotionally painful. ...” The article is an interesting read. However, if given a racial lens, could explain YUSEF, KEVIN, ANTRON, RAYMOND, and KOREY and their families responses and experiences. Dr. Thagard went on to discuss the impact of social norms and thus, can reflect the treatment YUSEF, KEVIN, ANTRON, RAYMOND, and KOREY and their families received from police, state attorneys, citizens, media, penal system, other inmates and their own family members.

The children, their families, citizens, and community activists also demonstrated COURAGE. The young boys' decision to not plead guilty, is evidence of COURAGE. The children’s decision (especially KOREY) to not end their lives based on the horrific experiences in the (unjust)ice system, showed COURAGE.

* What have you done to yourself out of fear?
* What have you done to others out of fear?
* Tell us about a time you dared to be your most courageous self?
* Tell us about a time someone had enough courage to save and protect you? How did that feel?

06/13/2019

The annual In My Mamma's Kitchen event will be happening this Saturday.

06/07/2019

This is such a great video!
Enjoy 😊

I asked my therapist friends for their best mental health tips. 75 responded. I'm sharing my favorites and helping you apply them to your life today! Origina...

05/24/2019

Normal aging vs dementia

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are not a part of normal aging.💭👵🏾👴🏼

Almost 40 per cent of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as "age-associated memory impairment," which is considered a part of the normal aging process.

Brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Age-associated memory impairment and dementia can be told apart in a number of ways.

05/23/2019

HAVE YOU HAD A DOSE OF LAUGHTER TODAY!? 😂😁😆

Positive humor promotes good health. In this television interview Dr. Bill Baker explores the beneficial impact of positive humor and laughter upon physical,...