Podcast - GRAAHI Health Literacy Project

Let's Talk About It

Let’s Talk About It is sponsored by GRAAHI based on grant funding from the State of Michigan, and produced by Infinity Consultation Group.”

Each episode on the Cultural Humility and Health Literacy podcast covers a different topic. Those topics include: substance use/abuse, treatment options, mental health, trauma/resilience, reproductive care, holistic health and so much more.

Meet The Hosts

Dr. Bernice Patterson is CEO of Infinity Consultation Group. She partners with organizations and their staff to better understand themselves as an individual and within community. By embracing a dynamic person-centered approach that works from a cultural humility lens, she is able to partner with clients to do the difficult but necessary “heart” work that is the foundation to long-term and sustainable personal and organizational growth.

Jamila K. Gaskins, M.A. (she/they) is COO of Infinity Consultation Group. Her work centers on transformation and inclusion in environmental, social, and economic justice using a human rights, cultural humility, and ecosystem thinking framework. The focus is on three areas: people, principles, and practice. They utilize a platform of relationship building and interconnectedness to advance learning and healing, and to celebrate and build community and better organizations.

Disclaimer

This website/podcast does not provide medical or behavioral health advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this website/podcast, are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or behavioral health condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read, heard, or seen on this website/podcast.

Substance Abuse and the Family - Danielle Smith-Acker, MA, LPC, CAADC, NCC

Danielle Acker is a Detroit native who currently resides in Kalamazoo, MI. She is a Licenced Professional Counselor who has a specialization in addiction. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana, where she received her bachelor's and obtained her Master's in Clinical Mental Health from Western Michigan University. She has been in practice in the field since 2016 and, throughout her time, has worked with a variety of mental health and co-occurring issues. She currently works at a local community health center and also works part-time in a private practice. Danielle deeply appreciates working for the people and prides herself on supporting individuals through different transitions and experiences in their life.

Food as Medicine - Sidney Gaskins, MS, LPC

Sidney Gaskins is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Organizational Psychologist who uniquely integrates all areas of life, partnering with dynamic, highly motivated individuals to breakthrough challenges. Sidney takes a whole-person approach founded on counseling and yogic principles. Her holistic perspective includes attention to mind, body, and culinary support to address grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Sidney is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, and is a trained yoga instructor. She is also licensed in Texas, Missouri, and Illinois. Sidney enjoys cooking and baking foods from all over the world. And watching shows such as Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, and any true crime show. She has appeared on For My Man and Snapped as an expert analyst.

Recipes:

Holistic Health and Advocacy - Lisa Lowery, MD

Dr. Lisa Lowery, a Grand Rapids native received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology, with Honors from Michigan State University. Dr. Lowery received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed a combined Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residency program at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Michigan State University/Grand Rapids. Dr. Lowery completed a subspecialty fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. While at the Johns Hopkins, she obtained a Master of Public Health in the Department of Population and Family Health Sciences.

Trauma and Resiliency - Tasha Turner, MA LPC, CCTP

Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, CCTP, CRMST She/Her/Hers Tasha Turner is passionate about creating transformational spaces for individuals and communities. As a trauma and resilience expert, she walks with individuals and organizations on their journeys to understanding how trauma impacts our health and, more importantly, how resilience can aid us in our recovery. She practices from a largely somatic perspective which is a fancy way of saying “working with the body!” She firmly believes that by knowing our body and biology more deeply, we can experience healing and gain skills for long-term resilience.

Birth Equity and Advocacy - Tynetta Smith, MA

Tynetta A. Smith is the founder and principal consultant of Mamas Vision LLC, an organization with a primary focus on improving Black maternal health outcomes and reducing maternal health inequities by centering the needs and uplifting the voices of Black mamas through collaborative research efforts, consultation, and community relationships. Tynetta is a 2nd year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student focusing on Black maternal health and mental health outcomes. Her research interests focus on the intersection between counseling psychology, public health, and medicine, and the impact that collaborative relationships amongst these professions will have in eliminating maternal health inequities. She seeks to explore the unique outreach efforts employed by psychologists to connect with Black women in their communities, and to highlight the inequities that these communities contend with in regard to Black maternal mental health. Tynetta explores alternative culturally responsive, appropriate, and bias-free practices to meet the needs of Black women physical and mental health during their perinatal and postpartum journeys to eradicate their poor maternal health outcomes. Through Tynetta’s position as an adjunct professor in the department of psychology at Aquinas College, she uses her passion for health equity, Black women, and education to exemplify a passion-driven and social justice-focused career.

Sam Jones, MA LPC and Men’s Health Panel

Sam Jones

Samuel is an avid community engager. From therapizing in marginalized communities of focus, to coaching high school football and sheparding at West Michigan’s largest church, he enjoys seeing people reach their goal and find their place of healing.

Pastor Parris L. McMurray

Parris McMurray is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a proud alumnus of the Grand Rapids Public Schools. He continued his educational career at Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Sociology with a specialization in Youth Development. He has devoted himself to being a life-long learner and understands that both formal and informal education is what makes life and its experiences worthwhile. Parris serves God and the continued building of God’s kingdom. He is the Senior Pastor of the Renaissance Church of God in Christ where this role is a continuation of his service to his church, and the Kingdom of God at large. He also serves as the Supervisor for Community and Student Services with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and he has served the District for over 14 years. Greater than any other area of service, Parris is a family man. He and his lovely wife, Fallon McMurray have been married for 8 years, and they have two wonderful young Kings, Mr. Bryce Alexander, and Mr. Braylen Louis.

Nate Moody II

Nathaniel R Moody III is a community advocate and educator that works for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Nathaniel is an experienced educator with excellent student relations and project/program management skills. As a Grand Rapids native, Nathaniel used his love of education, community service, football, wrestling, arts, and strong spiritual faith to keep him levelheaded as he tried to persevere through his environment. These core values drive Nathaniel to be goal and results oriented with a strong ability to communicate effectively to motivate students to become competitive in a performance driven global society.

Brandon Kimble

Brandan Kimble is a Grand Rapids native and Olivet College graduate. He is a father, husband, and mentor who has an extraordinary passion for youth engagement and development. Brandan is currently the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Godwin Heights Public Schools.