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Onyx Monthly Newsletter

December 2022

Greetings Onyx Family!

We have officially made it to the end of the year.

2022 seems to have flown by and I can honestly say it was a jam-packed year on so many levels. Onyx had a number of wins this year, so many moments that we were proud of and we feel we made an impact on our DC, Maryland, and Virginia family, and of course the greater community at large. We got the opportunity to work with some of the most influential and trending publications - Afro.com, Forbes, U.S. News, Revolt Magazine, and Diverse Education.com just to name a few. These opportunities have allowed Onyx Therapy Group to position themselves in the mental health field as THE group that is truly leading the pack on transformative healing.

2022 was a great year for our partnerships as well! We acquired a contract with the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. This contract allows us to work closely with DC schools and teachers, and give the tools needed to nurture the mental health of our children and community. We continued our partnerships with The Office of the Attorney General and Child and Family Services. The work we do is a testament to the investment we have in our community and our goal to transform our peoples minds around their healing.

Take a look at Onyx in the media from last month!

November 6th: Onyx @ The Eaton Mental Health Panel Discussion : Time, Money, and Emotional Management

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge and memorialize the life of Ian Persaud. He was the financial advisor for Dr. Plummer, placing her on the path of generational wealth for her and her family. Ian was slated to extend his knowledge at the Onyx @ The Eaton event on November 6, 2022. However, we will use this time to honor his legacy and impact on our lives and community.

Dr. Plummer hosted an intimate panel discussion around personal life management including Time, Emotional, and Money management. Other panelists include Nicole Donnell, the Founder of Black Girl Budget; and Deana Kennedy, Founder of KennedyDean Coaching, longtime friend of Dr. Plummer’s and participant of Grown Ass Women. The event will also feature local DC Black-owned vendors including District Homes, Vegan Queen Cuisine, and Brown Aspiration.

November 6th : Queer Forty - What the Brittney Griner case means for Black Mental Health

As one of the 1500 Black women leaders who signed the petition to the Biden Administration to grant Brittney Griner’s safe return from Russia, Dr. Plummer weighed in her opinion in a conversation with Queer Forty on how the decision of Griner’s appeal will affect Black mental health.

November 9th: Say YES! Blog post by our Intern, Maya

Our intern Maya reflected on her last year of high school as a senior and how she wished she had said yes to more opportunities that had been presented to her which prompts the question…what have you said yes to this year?

November 11th: Veteran’s Day

We celebrate and honor Dr. Plummer for her years of service to our country.

November 14th: Grown Ass Women Season 2, Episode 2 - Power Dynamics and Structures

The Grown Ass Women join each other around the table for another in person convo to chat all things power structures and how to claim your power as a Black woman in our current society. Tune into Onyx Therapy Group - The Podcast and at our YouTube to see the video version!

November 15th: Authority Magazine - Wellness Reimagined

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer of Onyx Therapy Group on 5 Things That Should Be Done To Improve and Reform The Health & Wellness Industry.

November 16th : I’m not a cool kid and Howard Homecoming confirmed it

In this blog, Dr. Plummer takes a look at feelings of exclusion. Rather than succumbing to FOMO or feeling uncool…she embraces it. Although she wasn’t invited to every single party in college and high school, she can say that she spent her time with the people that mattered most and enhanced her experience, and at the end of the day, that’s what is most important! Have you ever felt excluded? What feelings arise?

Read it here!

November 23rd : Ok, I’m going to do it..but I’m scared AF blog post

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” Pursuing your dreams can bring on feelings of stress and anxiety because, well, you’re doing the thing. During this time, it is important to understand what you can tolerate, prioritize, and how to manage this all within your own means.

Read the full blog post here!

November 28th :Teen Talks S2/Ep2 - Mental Health and Kanye West

The teens join each other to voice their thoughts and opinions on the controversies surrounding Kanye West's latest comments towards specific groups of people and loss of sponsorship + endorsements and how mental health is viewed and treated in society.

November 30th : Love or Limerence?

Dr. Plummer talks about the difference between love and limerence and why its so important to know the difference between the two when dating.

Read the full article here!

CHECK OUT OUR YEAR!

Onyx Therapy Group hosted its inaugural Mental Health Fair on Sunday, April 24th 2022 at Union Market’s Auto Shop venue in the NorthEast quadrant of the city. The Health Fair featured a wide-range of Black owned local businesses, raffle prizes, panel discussions, and even a morning yoga class. The community-focused event aimed to raise awareness and money for those in the Black/Brown and LGBTQ+ communities that cannot afford therapy. The free-to-the-public event helped provide resources and information to better help manage our own mental health journeys and break the stigma around mental health conversations. Onyx will be hosting its second annual Mental Health Fair on Sunday April 16th, 2023.

Onyx @ The Eaton: A Mental Health Series

Onyx @ The Eaton” continued where our April 24th mental health fair left off! We hosted the opportunity to join Dr. LaNail Plummer and her team at Onyx Therapy Group for an intimate panel discussion around Black relationships, as well as to shop from some of DC's own Black-owned and operated businesses. Onyx will be hosting its third installment of Onyx at The Eaton: A Vision Board Party on Sunday February 5th, 2023.

Essence Fest New Orleans

Essence Festival features various change makers in the cosmetic, body care, and health industries. Dr. Plummer joined a panel of passionate experts to share her perspective on mental health and wellness and how it coincides with the experience as a Black woman.

USBC Oakland Virtual Presentation

USBC Oakland hosted a virtual discussion where Dr. Plummer discussed the intersection of mental wellness and Black mental health to understand the Implications of mental health & stress in entrepreneurship.

Virtual USBC Albuquerque Panel

Dr. Plummer gave her expertise at the virtual Health & Wellness Summit with the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce on the sometimes touchy subject of dealing with the holiday season and how to take care of your mental health during this time.

The role of Mental Health of Self-Concept

TEDx invited Dr. Plummer to discuss the positive implications of attending therapy and investing in self care. As a leading professional in the mental health field, Dr. Plummer is wholly committed to improving the lifestyles of others through the aspects of mental health and character development.

Watch the Youtube recording HERE!

ByBlack Conference

The ByBlack Conference is an annual conference hosted in partnership between the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB). This annual event draws hundreds of Black entrepreneurs, broadcasters, business professionals, and thought leaders.

ONYX IN THE MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Black Women Leaders call on Biden Administration to Step Up Efforts to free Brittney Griner

As one of the 1500 Black women leaders who signed the petition to the Biden Administration to grant Brittney Griner’s safe return from Russia, Dr. LaNail R. Plummer weighed in her opinion for a conversation with Diverse Education on how the decision of Brittney’s appeal will affect Black mental health and how it may have already impacted hers.

Read the full article here!

Black Women and the freedom of choice

Dr. Plummer shared a vulnerable but important message with Afro News about the detrimental mental health effects the overture of Roe v. Wade will have on women - specifically Black women.

Read the full article here!

7 Mental Health tips to stay sane in the music industry

Read the full article here!

CHECK OUT OUR CONTENT

The ladies of Grown Ass Women are back around the table for even more of the raw and real talk that you expect! Join Dr. Plummer and her group of best friends: Jonai Carr, Nikki Wood, Ayana Malone and Deana Kennedy on YouTube to see them in action!

Teen Talks: Season 2

Onyx Therapy Group officially launced Season 2 of Teen Talks - where teens come together to share their thoughts and opinions on topics ranging from pop culture, mental health, and all things growing up.

Watch it here!

Spillin' The Tea with Dr. P: Season 1

Dr. Plummer is joined in conversation with an array of experts from all different industries to have real talk convos about topics ranging from prison reform to parenting styles during a global pandemic.
Watch it here!!

Onyx Therapy Group The Podcast

This year, Onyx Therapy Group launched Onyx Therapy Group - The Podcast available on all podcast platforms! Tune in for conversations about mental health featuring episodes of Grown Ass Women, Teen Talks, and Spillin’ The Tea with Dr. P!

Listen and watch here!

Onyx Therapy Group Blog

Every month, Dr. Plummer shares her most vulnerable truths in the Onyx Therapy Group blog sharing tips, insight, and all the things in between when it comes to daily life and mental health. Check it out at our website onyxtherapygroup.com.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Onyx is having a birthday! We are turning 10 years old!

We are ready to celebrate with our community and one way we are doing that is by setting goals!

We are having our 1st Vision Board Party! Dr.Plummer will be sharing her techniques for setting goals and starting your year off on a positive note.

Still trying to keep up with all things Onyx?! Well don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for past episodes of “Spillin’ the Tea w/ Dr. P,” “Grown Ass Women,” and “Teen Talks.” And of course, for all the details on where Onyx has been featured, visit our Press Page on the website!

ONYX IS HIRING!

Take a look at the postings below and spread the word, we are looking to add to our team!

GET TO KNOW THE ONYX TEAM!

Welcome to our Training and Education Consultant Joseline! We are so happy to have you on #TEAMONYX

BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ONLINE @ONYXTHERAPYGROUP AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL OF THE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ONYX IS A PART OF!

Contacts for Crisis

National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8355; or dial 988

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Mental Health Crisis Hotline (DC): 1-888-7WE-HELP

Mental Health Crisis Hotline (MD): 301-429-2185

Mental Health Crisis Hotline (PA): 1-888-796-8226

Follow us!

Based in Washington DC, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Onyx Therapy Group is dedicated to cultivating and strengthening the community through mental health practices. With a focus on direct clinical work, professional development/training, and sourcing, Onyx Therapy Group incorporates the values of integrity, respect, loyalty, community, culture, and excellence. As an organization, Onyx Therapy Group has over 15 years in mental health work and 20 years of education and skill-based practice that has positively impacted individuals, educators, and organizations nationally. Onyx Therapy Group is a Black, Woman, Veteran-owned business that believes in and designs transformative healing