#013: Unpacking Black Liberation and Black Mental Health with Monique Melton

Monique Melton, an anti-racism educator, published author, international speaker, and fellow podcast host joins Nia Patterson for the thirteenth episode of the podcast. This week the two of us talk about Monique's experiences growing up in a Black body and also about Black Liberation and the ways she benefits from privilege even in a multiply-marginalized body. Monique talks to us about her experiences with Mental Health, including suicidal ideation and depression. She talks about being called to do this work bridging the gap between Black and White people in anti-racism work and how this fuels her work as an anti-racism educator. We also come together to discuss the impact of the #AmplifyMelanatedVoices Challenge and our experiences with it and the outcome. We discuss how White people can do better in committing to anti-racism work. Join us as we talk about Black Liberation, privilege, mental health, and living in a Black body.

Monique Melton is an anti-racism educator, published author, international speaker, and host of the Shine Brighter Together podcast. She is also the founder of Shine Brighter Together, which is a community dedicated to healthy relationships & diverse unity.

She travels the world speaking at conferences and events on topics related to anti-racism, personal growth, diversity, and relationships. She’s been published in magazines, featured in blogs and podcasts, and has touched the lives of people all over the world.

She is a natural big-bold dreamer and a deeply rooted woman of faith.

She is a proud Navy wife to her high-school sweetheart, and she is a loving mother to two little ones.

She has a BA in social science with an emphasis in sociology & psychology and two years of graduate school education in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

She believes it's not all about your comfort, but it's about your growth.

You can find Monique on her website at www.MoniqueMelton.com as well as on Instagram @moemotivate. Please check out her linktree for further information.

Check out Nia on Instagram over @thefriendineverwanted and @bodytraumapod You can also find her blogging at thefriendineverwanted.com and you can support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/thefriendineverwanted. Remember, if you have a question about this podcast or want to share your thoughts please email us at bodytraumapod@gmail.com