Black Men Matter series of The Male Perspective

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Dr. Titus L. Hopper - Educator, Speaker, Author, and Co-Founder of Hop2It Solutions. Dr. Hopper discusses the people and experiences that shaped his life, what inspired him to pursue a career in education, and the unique challenges facing Black male educators and school leaders. Drawing from his doctoral research examining the motivational factors affecting Black male principals in rural North Carolina, he sheds light on the barriers these leaders face while offering practical advice to young Black men beginning careers in education. He also shares the story behind his "Think Right, Do Right" teaching tool and explains how it encourages young people to connect their thoughts, choices, and actions.Dr. Hopper also discusses his recently released book, A Boss Called Dream, which explores the relationship between purpose, discipline, and helping young people envision a meaningful future. He reflects on a life-changing encounter with a student who admitted he did not know what his dream was and explores the responsibility adults have to serve as part of the village that helps young people discover direction and possibility. Through Hop2It Solutions, Dr. Hopper and his wife, Michelle, have developed the Hop2It Expresso Packages, offering presentations and resources that emphasize rebuilding a modern village of support around children while equipping educators, parents, and communities to nurture young people's growth and help them explore the many educational and career pathways available to them.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗟. 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿:https://www.hop2itsolutions.com/https://www.facebook.com/hop2itsolutions/https://www.instagram.com/hop2itsolutions/https://www.hoptheblacksanta.com/https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0H3LQNB7B...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackEducators #CollegeAndCareer #Purpose #EducationalLeadership #ItTakesAVillage #BlackSanta #BlackMenMatter

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Greg Thomas - Author, Coach, Mentor, and Speaker - to explore the journey that took him from breaking barriers as the first Black starting quarterback at both his high school and college to becoming a respected mentor for the next generation of athletes and leaders. Greg reflects on the determination, confidence, and resilience that shaped his own path and discusses how those experiences continue to influence the way he coaches and develops young people today. He also shares the inspiration behind his book Making Believers, which chronicles the remarkable journey of Plano East Senior High and the lessons that extend far beyond the football field.

Greg also discusses the realities facing today's young athletes, including the pressures they encounter both on and off the field, the invaluable life lessons sports can teach beyond the classroom, and the important role parents play in supporting their children's growth. He explains why balancing competition with enjoyment in youth sports matters, discusses the many responsibilities modern coaches must navigate, and makes the case that developing character, leadership, and personal growth is just as important as improving athletic performance. 

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀:

https://www.gregthomasconnect.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-thomas-284536253

https://www.facebook.com/greg.thomas.850190

https://www.instagram.com/greggtthomas08

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09XJQ9MGS/

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𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

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𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6

Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2

iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4

Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr

🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6

#YouthSports #StudentAthletes #SportsLeadership #AthleteDevelopment #BlackMenMatter

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Anthony Williams - Founder of The Black Dollar Blueprint™ - to discuss financial literacy, wealth building, and the practical steps individuals and families can take to create lasting financial stability. Anthony shares his own journey with money and explains why helping first-generation wealth builders is an important part of his work and unpacks the purpose behind The Black Dollar Blueprint™. He also breaks down how consumer culture can work against long-term financial goals, offering practical advice on tackling debt, building credit and creating a stronger financial foundation.

Anthony explains the role homeownership can play in building wealth, the financial priorities worth focusing on over the next five years and the opportunities technology is creating for today's wealth builders. Throughout the conversation, he delivers practical insights for anyone pursuing financial freedom, generational wealth and a lasting legacy. It's a reminder that building wealth is as much about purpose, discipline and intention as it is about numbers.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀:

https://www.blackdollarblueprint.com

https://www.facebook.com/BlackDollarBluePrint

https://www.instagram.com/blkdollarblueprint

https://www.tiktok.com/@black.dollar.blueprint

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2XVCHHR

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𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

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𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6

Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2

iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4

Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr

🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6

#BlackWealth #FinancialLiteracy #CreditBuilding #DebtFree #BlackMenMatter #BlackDollarBlueprint

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Dr. Kevin Wayne Johnson - Founder & CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group LLC, Pastor, and Author - to explore what it truly means to lead with a servant's heart. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, Dr. Johnson discusses why servant leadership is often misunderstood and shares the personal reflections individuals should consider before stepping into positions of influence. He also offers practical insights for people of faith who are striving to remain authentic in their spiritual walk while navigating the demands and expectations of the corporate world.Dr. Johnson also shares the qualities that build and destroy trust in leadership, the importance of developing future leaders, and why effective leadership requires the humility to prepare others to succeed and eventually step into your role. The conversation also explores how leaders can avoid allowing success and recognition to fuel their ego, as well as lessons learned from leadership missteps. Whether you lead in your home, workplace, ministry, or community, this discussion highlights why character, service, legacy, and the responsibility of guiding others are essential tools in every leader's toolbox.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻:https://www.thejohnsonleadershipgroup.comhttps://www.facebook.com/kevinwaynejohnsonpagehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwaynejohnsonhttps://www.instagram.com/writingforthelordhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Wayne-Johnson/author/B003GQLXUG...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #FaithInBusiness #BlackMenMatter #BlackLeadership

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with C.A. Truthwell - Author of Breaking the Myth, to discuss the realities of Black fatherhood and the harmful narratives that continue to shape public perception and policy. Truthwell explains how fathers are often perceived as absent despite being actively involved in their children's lives, whether they live in the home or outside of it. He also shares examples of how Black fathers can be overlooked, dismissed, or excluded despite their consistent presence and contributions as parents.The conversation also explores what character traits, values, and life skills communities should be intentionally pouring into boys today to help prepare them to become healthy fathers tomorrow. Truthwell discusses the importance of Black men telling their own stories, the value of support systems among fathers, and why people should pause and consider before blindly believing negative stereotypes about Black fatherhood. By challenging assumptions, society can collectively build stronger families and create spaces where Black fathers can be seen, heard, and supported. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗖.𝗔. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹:https://catruthwell.comhttps://www.instagram.com/author_catruthwellhttps://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Myth-Truth-About-Fatherhood/dp/B0FR1JRGL9...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackFatherhood #BlackFathers #BlackMenMatter #Parenting #BreakingTheMyth

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Dr. James Hall - Author, Physician, and Founder of the Mighty Men Academy, to discuss an issue impacting families and communities today: fatherlessness. Dr. Hall shares insights from his book, Grown Boys: 7 Baby Steps to Manhood for a Fatherless Generation, explaining why so many men struggle with direction, identity, and responsibility and what it takes to transition from malehood to manhood. His seven step framework and assessment tools provide a path for personal development from “grown boy” or immature male to a man defined by character.The discussion explores the real impact of growing up without a father, why it affects boys differently, and how mentorship and accountability can help close that gap. Dr. Hall also speaks to the importance of a spiritual foundation and its role in shaping how men approach responsibility and leadership.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹:http://grownboys.comhttps://www.facebook.com/jamesjoyhallhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/James-B-Hall/author/B0GS3YNZV9...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#Fatherlessness #Manhood #BlackMenMatter #MensDevelopment #MensGrowth #BecomingAMan

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Ashanti Branch, Founder and Executive Director of Ever Forward Club, to discuss the lunch conversations that sparked what would become more than two decades of mentoring, emotional development work, and youth leadership support. Branch reflects on what those early conversations with young men revealed about the need for community and explains how programs such as the Ever Forward Club, Peer Mentoring Club, and Social Emotional Leadership Academy now help students build trust, accountability, and emotional awareness.Ashanti discusses Ever Forward’s long-term outcomes, including a 100% high school graduation rate, and examines the harmful messages about manhood that boys continue to receive. He shares how the Taking Off the Mask Workshop grew into the global Million Mask Movement, where people around the world use mask work to confront hidden fears, pain, and questions of identity. He also discusses how Ever Forward supports educators through professional development, the purpose behind tools like the Adventure Card Game, and why emotional honesty and present fatherhood remain central to what young men need most.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵:https://everforwardclub.orghttps://www.instagram.com/everforwardclubhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club/https://www.facebook.com/everforwardclubhttps://www.youtube.com/@everforwardclub...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#EverForwardClub #MillionMaskMovement #MentoringBoys #BlackBoysMatter #EmotionalWellness #Manhood #YouthMentorship #SocialEmotionalLearning

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Will Adams, indie filmmaker and owner of LokeKey Productions, to discuss his satirical comedy Tube-E Movie and the evolving relationship between audiences, streaming platforms, and modern independent filmmaking. Adams explains why viewers are increasingly drawn to content they openly critique, how “so bad it’s good” has become part of today’s entertainment language, and why imperfect films continue to attract loyal audiences in the streaming era.The conversation also explores the challenges independent filmmakers face beyond production itself, including the cost of theater screenings, limited access to traditional gatekeepers, and what sold-out grassroots screenings in Chicago revealed about audience demand for unconventional storytelling. Will also discusses whether streaming has created more opportunity for independent creators or simply changed what viewers are willing to accept from the films they choose to watch.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺𝘀:https://lokekey.comhttps://watch.plex.tv/movie/tube-e-moviehttps://www.facebook.com/chitownwillhttps://www.instagram.com/willadamschicagohttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4967186https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-adams-b1ab998a...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#TubeEMovie #IndieFilm #BlackDirectors #StreamingCulture #BlackFilmmakers #IndependentCinema #StreamingPlatforms #FilmSatire

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Dr. Dwayne B. Thomas, founder of Thomas Leadership Solutions, LLC and The Academic, Coaching, Enrichment, & Sports (ACES) Network. A former United States Marine, educator, and leadership strategist, Thomas earned his doctorate from Florida State University while serving with the Florida Department of Education and has spent more than three decades working across education, sports, business, and leadership development at the local, national, and international levels.Over the years, Thomas has made the case that the strategic thinking celebrated on the field is often the same thinking dismissed in the classroom. He reflects on how his own early exposure to sports shaped the way he learned to think, long before those observations became frameworks such as SportsGenius™ and Same Brain, Different Genius™. The conversation also touches on a scorecard he developed to identify communities facing educational crisis and connect those conditions directly to athletic culture, arguing that communities which celebrate athletic achievement may also be sitting on untapped intellectual capital that has not been fully recognized.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝘄𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗕. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀:https://www.aces-network.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dwayne-b-doc-thomas-ph-d-35054a61...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackAthletes #BlackStudents #BlackEducation #BlackLeadership #BlackVoices #CommunityLeadership #BlackScholars

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Bertrand Ngampa - Author, Coach and Technology Leader, to explore the connection between economic reality and mental well-being in Black communities.

Drawing on his upcoming book, Why Should White Men Have All the Money?, Bertrand examines wealth, access, and who has historically controlled opportunity. He challenges the tendency to treat economics and mental health as separate issues, arguing that in practice, each profoundly shapes the other.

He also addresses why mental health resources and therapy can feel out of reach, not just financially but culturally, for Black men whose daily focus is economic survival. Financial instability, he argues, reaches far beyond income, affecting identity, confidence, stress, and how Black men see their role within family and society.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮:

https://1pmman.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bngampa

https://www.facebook.com/BNGAMPA

https://www.instagram.com/bngampa

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𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

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𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:

Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6

Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2

iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4

Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr

🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6

#BlackMentalHealth #BlackWealth #FinancialStress #BlackVoices #BlackEconomics