The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces marriage and family therapist, Carter Drew. He’s a Fortune 100 Senior Executive, former first responder, executive coach, father and husband. Carter grew up on Chicago's South Side and brings an inclusive, dynamic human experience to his clients including individuals, couples and families. In this episode, Carter discusses the concept of the “Black Super Woman,” which he explains as the complex convergence of societal,...

SonRise creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Malissa “Mali” Hunter, who is a Grammy nominated producer, Emmy winning actor, businesswoman, TV host, chef and philanthropist. She is credited with guiding the careers of such luminaries as Drake, Rick Ross, Future, Wiz Khalifa and Lenny Kravitz. In this SonRise episode, Mali reveals stories from her own difficult adolescence. A self-described “gangster kid,” she was arrested a few times and ended up in jail. But she eventually found...

The SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces speaker, Depelsha McGruder. Depelsha is a successful business executive, as well as founder and President of Moms of Black Boys United, Inc(MOBB). MOBB United is a nationwide coalition of concerned moms who represent every race, age, socioeconomic background, marital status and education level. They share unconditional love for their Black sons and want others to see them through their proud eyes. Depelsha started MOBB United as a...

SonRise creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces veteran speaker and psychologist, Dr. Linda McGhee. Two years into the pandemic, Dr. McGhee says Covid has exacerbated the mental health crisis, spiking a rise in suicide rates. She references stats from the CDC, which reports a third of American adults and children are experiencing some form of mood disorder. That's the highest in recorded history. Dr. McGhee urges listeners to scan for significant changes in mood or behavior of their...

SonRise creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces speaker, Sheri Riley. For more than two decades Sheri enjoyed a celebrated career as a music industry executive. At LaFace records, she worked with such luminaries as Usher, Toni Braxton and many others. She went on to create her own strategic consulting firm, whose top clients included: Converse, Warner media, Nike and Coca Cola. But in 2012, Sheri lost it all… her company, her marriage, her father died, and she became homeless. These...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, her husband Keith and their son Kyle, together with Dr. Linda McGhee continue their discussion. Kyle explains how the high expectations he experienced in high school contributed to his downward spiral into anxiety, depression and addiction. Unbeknownst to both Kyle and his parents, the pressures to achieve and all the hallmarks of success became an increasing source of distress. Kelli and Keith reflect on the pressures they faced as...

SonRise creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces her beloved son, Kyle Lawson, who is the inspiration behind the SonRise Project series. In this episode, Kyle shares his own personal story and journey of recovery which began in high school. As a straight A student and gifted swimmer, Kyle says he struggled with anxiety and depression. His symptoms became so severe that he later tried to take his own life. The experience shook Kyle and his entire family to its core. While his parents Kelli...

SonRise Creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces Life Coach, Vallori Thomas. As founder of Wow Coaching and Consulting, Vallori is an accredited member of the Forbes Coaches Council. She’s also the author of several books including Through it All, We’re Still Standing: A Journey of Empowerment and Triumph in the Face of Adversity. In this episode, Vallori shares her own hard-won wisdom and personal journey. Beginning with a difficult adolescence, she left home at 16, later became homeless...

SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Gail Wyatt. Dr. Wyatt is a clinical psychologist, sex therapist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Bio Behavioral Sciences at UCLA. She is also the author of Stolen Women: Reclaiming Our Bodies and Taking Back Our Lives. For more than four decades, Dr. Wyatt’s research has sought to understand the history and impact of trauma in the black community and how to heal. She says parents today were raised by...

SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces Sharon Green and her son, Azikiwea. Sharon is a life coach and founder of BloomTree Coaching & Consulting Services and mother of three young men. When she got a call from Azikiwea’s college about his mental health, they brought him home. He was later diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and they sought treatment. Thus began a journey of learning, love and compassion for the whole family. Managing mood swings, depression and anxiety...

In this SonRise episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces celebrated entertainment executive, Shanti Das. Shanti’s 25-year career in the music industry included positions with Capitol, LaFace, Colombia, Sony Urban and Universal Motown. Under her leadership, she helped forge the careers of such luminaries as Usher, Erykah Badu, Toni Braxton, Outkast and many others. In the midst of her burgeoning success, Shanti found herself struggling with her own mental health. Plagued by anxiety...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces us to life and executive coach Daryl Mobley. He is also the founder of Catapult Leader, creator of Family Digest magazine and hosts the Darryl Mobley Show podcast. With practical advice and a loving approach, Darryl takes parents through 10 steps to help them develop deeper relationships with their children. He says even in the midst of difficult challenges, we can learn to work with our children to ensure that he or she will...

Creator of The SonRise Project, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces Life Coach, Sylvia High. Sylvia believes that when life stretches in ways which we don’t expect, many of us may struggle with feeling truly grateful. Sylvia illuminates the power and the creative essence of gratitude. She says it’s possible to experience joy and renewal when it is paired with empowered thinking.

Creator of The SonRise Project, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces Emmy Award-winning television and film producer Nikki Webber Allen. She believes deeply in the transformative power of sharing stories to enlighten and empower. Nikki is also the founder of the non-profit organization I Live For. As a person who struggles with anxiety and depression, her intention is to end mental health stigma in communities of color with a special focus on teens and young adults. She says Black, Indigenous...

Creator of the SonRise Project, Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces the founder of Athletes on Purpose, Jayson Wells. Jayson is also an author, coach and an international professional basketball player who uses his life story to teach and uplift others. He believes in instilling values in our children such as connection, resilience, accountability, teamwork and leadership. He says we can learn to bond with our children using what he calls the three C’s: Connect, Communicate and Coach. Jayson...

SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Tamiko Ruby J and her son Quinton. Tamiko is a Reiki master and spiritual teacher. She shares her healing journey as a single mom living in Cleveland and raising a son with addiction issues. Quinton shares his own journey of recovery. As a child, he struggled with grief and the loss of both his biological father and later his stepfather. Though he was a successful athlete in high school, he turned to drugs and alcohol to help him...

Creator of the SonRise Project, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces Beverly Kearney better known as "Coach Bev.” She’s an author, speaker and has a passion for coaching individuals to achieve their greatest successes. Among her many accolades, Bev is also mother to Imani Sparks. Bev adopted Imani after her mother died in a tragic car accident. The same one that left Bev injured and unable to walk for a significant period of time. In this podcast, Bev and Imani talk about weathering the storms...

SonRise Project creator Kelli Richardson Lawson welcomes acclaimed actress and comedian, Jenifer Lewis. Renowned for her hilarious portrayal of Ruby Johnson in the hit show Black-ish, Jenifer is also an activist and author of two books, including The Mother of Black Hollywood. With honesty and a razor-sharp wit, Jenifer shares her journey to mental wellness. She talks about her recovery from bipolar disorder and addiction. Jenifer also touches on how to deal with the highs and lows of...

Marriage and Family Therapist, Carter Drew talks about what he calls The Silver Platter Life. He describes it as what parents do to ensure their kids have the very best of everything, positioning them to be "Instagram Ready" at all times. Behind the scenes, the reality may look very different than the public image we project. Our children may be struggling with addiction or mental wellness issues. What happens when the "Silver Platter" starts to tarnish? Carter Drew shares strategies and...

In this SonRise Project episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces therapist Danielle Boucree who is also a clinical social worker with a specialty in family therapy. She says anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder in the United States. Sadly, only one third of those affected realize what's happening, take steps to find treatment and report it to their doctors early. Danielle says anxiety also affects our children. While it's widely understood that adolescence...

In this SonRise Project episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Marie Smith-East, who is a board certified psychiatric, mental health nurse practitioner and nurse scientist. Dr. Smith-East says recognizing when your teen or young adult may need help with mental health and substance-abuse can be incredibly overwhelming. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, it is possible to navigate what many experience as a complicated system. She counsels parents to...

In this episode of The SonRise Project, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Dr. Kendell Jasper, a clinical psychologist, and his brother Kainon Jasper, who together are known as The Doc-N-da-Dude. They bring an honest, common sense, comedic and most importantly real-life clinical approach to addressing young men of color entering adulthood. They share their experience ranging from clinical and sports psychology, marketing, engineering and the authenticity of street psychology. Having...

In this episode, creator Kelli Richardson Lawson introduces Tina Lifford, a critically acclaimed actress, known for her role as Aunt Vi on OWN’s Queen Sugar. Tina is also author of The Little Book of Big Lies and CEO and creator of the Inner Fitness Project. Tina shares her own hard-won wisdom about the importance of maintaining our inner fitness, which often takes a backseat to our physical fitness. She says it's the inner self we must learn to care for - those mental, emotional and...

In this episode, SonRise creator, Kelli Lawson, introduces Spirit, a licensed psychotherapist, media personality, host of Love Goals on OWN, forensic evaluator, wife and mother of seven children. Spirit says so many of us struggle with painful and often unfulfilling relationships with those we love. She says what we need to understand is that these relationships act as a mirror and are a reflection of the way we feel about ourselves. Spirit explains we often get stuck in the belief that life...

The SonRise Project creator, Kelli Richardson Lawson, introduces her husband, Keith Lawson. A dedicated father and 30-year veteran in the TV and Music industries, Keith shares his perspective on the challenges of raising two black sons in America today. Like so many others, he struggles with protecting his sons in a conflicted world, while also trying to give them space to find themselves. A little over three years ago, his oldest son had a near fatal mental health crisis. Keith shares his...