The SonRise Project

In this SonRise episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson and SonRise Executive Director Kelly Chapman lead an open discussion with parents about how to deal with ongoing challenges with their children. With honesty and compassion Kelli and Kelly draw on their own experiences and hard-won wisdom reminding everyone it’s possible to choose a self-empowering response to any situation. They emphasize one must tend to one’s own mental he...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. She is a clinical psychologist with expertise in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, Dr. McGhee reflects on the devastating murder of George Floyd. She asks SonRise parents to share their feelings about raising Black boys and young men in America. She talks about the severe impact racial trauma is having on Black commun...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Beverly Kearney, also known as Coach Bev. Her gift for coaching has inspired individuals and groups to achieve their greatest successes. Recognized as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, Bev is honored as a sports legend in several halls of fame. In this episode, Bev coaches SonRise listeners through difficulties in navigating relationships with their c...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces master coach and CEO of Aiming High, Inc. Sylvia High. She’s also author of The Little Book of Big Questions: A Journey in Self-Discovery. In this episode, Sylvia talks about the pull to renew, restart and re-imagine our lives, especially in the wake of the pandemic. She asks SonRise listeners to consider what may be limiting or restricting them? When it comes to relati...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces therapist Dr. Julie Lopez. She is a speaker, clinician and the founder ofViva Partnership, a multi-cultural marketing company. She is also the author of a book on implicit memory, entitled:Live Empowered: Rewire your Brains Implicit Memory to Thrive in Business, Love and Life. In this episode, Dr. Lopez discusses how to help ourselves and our families heal from the effe...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Sylvia High. Sylvia is a master life coach, founder and CEO of Aiming High, Inc. She’s an author as well as a development and training strategist with more than 30 years of success. In this episode, Sylvia talks about starting one’s life anew especially in the wake of the pandemic. She says we can turn pain into power and trauma into triumph. She believ...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker Sharon Green. Sharon is a life coach, founder of BloomTree Coaching and Consulting Services and is a mother of three young men. In this episode, Sharon discusses the legacy of intergenerational trauma in the Black community. She refers to Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, a condition that is a consequence of multigenerational oppression of Africans and thei...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker, Dr. Linda McGhee. Dr. McGhee is a clinical psychologist who specializes in young adult and child psychology. In this episode, she discusses the debilitating effects of trauma, including how it affects our bodies, minds and spirits. She defines trauma as an emotional response to an event in one’s life such as an accident, sexual assault or divorce. Dr. M...

The SonRise Projectcreator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Emil Wilbekin. Emil is the founder ofNative Sona platform created to inspire and empower Black gay men. Emil is also a multi-media executive, content creator, cultural critic and human rights activist. He is the former editor-in-chief ofGiantand Editor-at-Large atEssence. He was the first openly gay Black man to run a major publication when he was appointed editor-in-ch...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Halim Ali, who is the founder, Executive Director and President of the non-profit From the Heart Foundation. Dr. Ali is also an activist, mentor, motivational speaker and mental health professional devoted to uplifting boys and men in the Black community. In this episode Dr. Ali shares his own incredible personal story that led to a life of service and giving back. ...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Rick Wallace. He is founder and CEO of The Visionetics Institute and uses a wide range of disciplines including neuro-linguistic programming, psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals thrive in every area of their lives. He is also author of “The Undoing of the African American Mind” as well as “The Mis-education of Black Youth in America.” In ...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker and psychologist, Dr. Linda McGhee. Dr. McGhee is a clinical psychologist specializing in children and young adult psychology. In this episode, she talks about all the issues children, especially teenagers, won't tell their parents but share with others. Those include the fear their parents won’t recognize their mental health problems as real and will be...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces her guest Maliek Blade. He is CEO of Whole Brother Mission, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping men become healthy and whole in every area of their lives. He’s also the author of The Whole Brother: Debunking the Myths that Break the Black Family. In this episode Maliek illuminates a myriad of challenges facing black families including: systemic racism, mental-he...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces therapist Danielle Boucree. Danielle is a clinical social worker with a specialty in family therapy and a mother of three. In this episode, Danielle talks about helping our children to feel more loved. She says when children are young they may be more receptive to love from their parents. However, once they become teenagers all that changes. Yet, she says within the sou...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Tamiko Ruby J. Tamiko is a Usui Holy Fire Reiki master and spiritual teacher. In this episode, Tamiko talks about taking care of ourselves before giving to others. She asks listeners if they prioritize the needs of others while neglecting their own. She says for many women this is a common, deeply entrenched pattern. Tamiko takes listeners through a live meditation to h...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Sylvia High. Sylvia is a master life coach with over 30 years experience and is the founder and CEO of Aiming High Inc. She is also an author of several books including The Little Book of Big Questions, a Journal of Self-Discovery. In this episode, Sylvia talks about the importance of staying senior to your circumstances. She says it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and exper...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Vikki Johnson. Vikki is a transformational speaker, a chaplain, a spiritual wellness practitioner and best-selling author of 12 books. Her most recent book is called Soul Wealth: Finding Vision, Compassion, Authenticity, Abundance and Legacy in the Midst of Chaos. Dr. Johnson defines Soul Wealth as thriving from a place of emotional, mental and spiritual strength. ...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces her husband, Keith Lawson. He shares his personal journey as a father of two sons, including one with addiction and mental wellness challenges. He says while there is no parenting instruction book or roadmap, there are many tools to utilize, including therapy and the support of a loving community. Keith reflects on his own difficult childhood. He was raised by his singl...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces therapist, Dr. Julie Lopez. She is founder of Viva Partnership and the Resilient Brain Project. In this episode, Dr. Lopez tackles the difficult subject of self-harm. Self-harm or self-injury is defined as: “The condition, clinically known as non-suicidal self-injury characterized by deliberate self-inflicted harm that isn’t intended to be suicidal.” Dr. Lopez says bi...