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Onyx Monthly Newsletter April 2021 |
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Spring is in the air…Spring has officially sprung and Onyx is ready for all of our trees we planted over the last year to bloom. Although we may not have seen all the fruits of our labor in 2020, we know that there were strides made on different levels. The spring is always an opportunity for the 3 R’s as we like to call it - rebirth, rejuvenation, and revision. There is no greater month than April to strive to implement these important words to the best of our ability. As a community, we can ponder and revise our personal roles and footprints in building a healthier world and participate in World Health Day on April 2nd, and be a witness to the rebirth of mother earth as we also celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. Although we’re looking to new growth in the Spring, we must also remember and give space for our friends who have been affected by sexual assault and other forms of aggression. With April being Sexual Assault Awareness month, we need to open up our hearts and arms to listen and help out those who may feel like they have no voice to speak out. Violence against one is seen as violence towards all, and here at Onyx we stand with the victims!
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Black Rosie the Riveter by Tim Okamura Check out more of Okamura’s work as he pays homage to black women here. |
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Onyx in the media! |
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BET in collaboration with the OWN Network so graciously reached out to us to be apart of their Night of Hope & Healing. This segment also featured Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III and Pastors JJ & Trina Hairston. |
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Dr. Plummer had the opportunity to contribute to an article with Very Well Family, an online community where parents can get helpful and honest advice on all things parenthood. The info come primarily from real, no - nonsense mothers who have been through it all, and Dr. Plummer is an expert in both of these areas. Check out the article here! |
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Women’s History Month allowed Onyx to focus on the different ways that we as women must take care of ourselves. We know that self-care is always an over arching theme for women - especially in communities of color. These interviews and conversations are an opportunity for our counselors to express ways that our community can most benefit from different mental health paths. Take a look at the ways we thrived in February and be sure to follow us at @OnyxTherapyGroup for upcoming events. |
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March 10th : Ethel’s Club with Counselor Jada Pannell-Williams |
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March 10th : Dr. Plummer discusses burnout |
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March 18th : Spillin the Tea with Dr. P Criminal Justice reform is another platform that we hold close to our hearts and Dr. P had the opportunity to chat with the inspirational Marcus Bullock, CEO/Founder of Flikshop, an innovative photo-sharing app to help keep families connected to their loved ones while they're incarcerated. |
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March 24th : Onyx Counselor Chevon Matthews talks about mental health for women |
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March 30 : Rambling w/ Dr. Plummer - check out the full podcast episode on Rambling with Egypt HERE! |
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POWERFUL BLACK WOMEN TO PAY ATTENTION TO…“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous : be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble.” - Serena Williams This month we wanted to highlight powerful and successful black women that are making a name for themselves and their communities. They are even more special because they are residents of the cities in which Onyx has an office. Not only do we love these cities, but we love the impact that these black women are making on their cities. DMV |
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DC has its very own Spice Girl! Angel Gregorio has managed to start her own spice suite that gives flavor to a city that has lost a bit of its savor and soul over the last couple of years. She is a mom, cook, activist and educator that strives to show our community the beauty of the world through her love of spices and their bold and beautiful flavors. Pittsburgh |
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Muffy Mendoza is a tribe builder, informational and motivational speaker, author and executive director at Brown Mamas, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that works to provide mothers-of-color with positive social opportunities and connect them with the resources and information they need to raise happy, healthy adults. She is an intentional advocate in the Pittsburgh community and we commend her for her diligent efforts to her tribe. Minnesota |
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Kim Nelson is a powerhouse in the world of business, not only in Minnesota, but in the nation. She began her career at General Mills and immediately became known as the powerhouse in her field as she built brands that were plummeting to highly profitable brands. |
Who are a few of your favorite powerful Black women?! |
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April 6th : Convos from the Couch - Dr. P discusses Entrepreneurship |
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April 8th : Spillin the Tea with Special Guest Melva LaJoy Jones for a conversation on Sexual Assault Social Justice School : Onyx Therapy has partnered with the Social Justice School (SJS) to support the mental health and well-being needs of their students and families. We will be offering therapeutic services and psychoeducational group sessions. It is the intention for our work to support their mission to catalyze an integrated community of middle-school learners to be scholar-activists who are designers of a more just world. DC's Office of the Attorney General (DCOAG) -Through an effort with DC's Office of the Attorney General, Onyx Therapy Group is providing clinical support services for the local workforce of community outreach workers. We will engage with them over several months to provide weekly group clinical supervision or group sessions. During our time together, we'll process work related issues and the trauma and other challenges associated with frontline violence prevention work. |
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We are so thrilled to highlight the work that the Education and Training team has been doing over the past month. Director of Education and Training Ayana Malone and her team of counselors are making strides in the DMV area to show the importance of mental health in school and organizational settings. The Education team has worked diligently in DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and since 2016, they noticed that there has been a steady uptick in requests from organizations and schools to do workshops and processing sessions for staff focused on equity, inclusiveness, and discussions on race and culture. Their goal as a team is to build and sustain education programs that help schools and organizations shift the way that they interact with the youth they are serving. They are a part of several ongoing series that will make an impact across the city. Some of their clients have included American University, University of Pittsburg, EL Haynes PCS, City Blossoms, An Open Book Foundation, among others. Here are a few articles for a glimpse into the world of Psycho Education and what our experts are sharing with the community. |
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A big shout to our counselors Chevon Matthews, Katherine Reinckens, and Yerneika Lopez! They were afforded the opportunity to attend equine therapy training at the Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Center in Islandia, NY on March 27th-28th. Pal-O-Mine is a therapeutic equestrian center that provides opportunity for disabled and vulnerable populations in our community. Onyx was invited by Stand Foundation, a Black -owned, Women-owned organization in Washington, DC that provides inner city youth the chance to gain knowledge and life skills through equestrian and rodeo readiness training.
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Convos from the Couch with Dr. Plummer March 9th - Onyx IG - Check out the full convo HERE! Resources from Onyx to you! Books 1. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, by Joy DeGruy, Ph.D.
2. The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Space for Black Girls, by Marline Francois-Madden, L.C.S.W. 3. Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman’s Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear, by Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D. 4. Rock My Soul: Black People and Self-Esteem by bell hooks 5. Black Men and Depression: Understanding and Overcoming Depression in Black Men by John Head Recipes1. Garlic Smoked Asparagus 2. Butternut Squash 3. Orzo Pasta with Shrimp and Peas 4. Roasted Turkey Breast 5. Black Bean Hummus |
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Contacts for CrisisNational 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 |
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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 |
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