Healing is the Revolution (HITR)
The Book
The pages of “Healing is the Revolution” invite readers into a discussion of the nameable and unnamable struggles African Americans face in a tense, high stress, and despairing existence in the United States. It begins by laying bare Black American history and why it continues to affect modern day African Americans mentally and physically.
Along the way it illustrates the effects of decades of compounding structural oppression, societal disfranchisement, and psychological backlash on individuals living in an environment where hate speech and hate-driven actions and policy are no longer underground.
But Healing is the Revolution does not stop there. It also pays equal attention to providing steps and opportunities for healing on the individual, family, and community level, revealing opportunities for action and motivation for change. Lastly, it guides the reader through inspirational and motivational activities to support this renewed and/or continued struggle. Part an intellectual book that informs and a self-help book that heals, Healing is the Revolution draws from Dr. Shervington’s intersectional career in public health and clinical and academic psychiatry.
The Podcast
FIRST CAME THE BOOK AND NOW COMES THE PODCAST.
Hosted by Dr. Denese Shervington, the 'Healing Is the Revolution Podcast' (Seasons 1 and 2) features one-on-one conversations where individuals share intimate—and at times tragic—stories of creating successful lives beyond their traumatic beginnings and, for some, untreated experiences. Behind the pained words, learned wisdom, and laughter are courageous examples shared with Dr. Shervington that display the effectiveness of breaking generational cycles of dysfunction. The series features a range of guests: each episode a personal story revealing joys, pains, and a path to healing. The living improves, but the work is never done.
Season two of the 'Healing is the Revolution Podcast', titled "The B-Sides," features four bonus episodes. In these lagniappe episodes, Dr. Shervington checks in on the healing journeys of some of our Season 1 guests. Since we initially spoke with them, times changed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and major shifts around the world. These follow-up episodes offer an honest and intimate glimpse into how everyday people coped and continued their healing journeys during such an uncertain time.
In 2024, we launched a new podcast called 'Should I Get A Doula?' as part of the 'Healing Is the Revolution Podcast' family. In this podcast, our Sr. Director of Media & Communications, Iman Shervington, explores whether or not to get a doula by speaking with doulas, birthing people, and an OB-GYN. Over five episodes, Iman learns firsthand about every aspect of doula care and learns information such as the difference between doulas and midwives; how doulas support birthing families as a whole; the health disparities Black birthing people face and how doulas can help address some of them; what's needed to have a healthy pregnancy; how someone becomes a doula and what training they receive; how much doulas cost and how to find the right fit; and much more!
You can find all episodes here, and we also encourage you to follow us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
