Black Men Matter series of The Male Perspective

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Raynor Carroll, Founder and CEO of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP), to explore a question many people rarely consider: Why are Black musicians underrepresented in orchestral percussion when rhythm is so deeply rooted in Black musical traditions?

Raynor breaks down what it truly takes to pursue orchestral percussion, from mastering instruments like marimba, timpani, snare drum, and vibraphone to navigating the time, financial investment, and mentorship required to reach the professional level. He shares how ABOP’s Black Orchestral Percussion Mentorship Program is working to close these gaps, explains the orchestral audition and hiring process, and highlights the many career opportunities available beyond performing on stage. This conversation offers insight into the pipeline, the possibilities, and what it takes to expand opportunity for the next generation.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹:

https://abop.us

https://www.instagram.com/abop.us

https://www.facebook.com/ABOP21#

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#BlackMusicians #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralPercussion #ABOP #MusicMentorship #Percussion #SymphonyOrchestra #MusicEducation #BlackExcellence #DiversityInMusic

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Dr. Stewart Perrilliat, Founder and Executive Director of Man 2 Man Urban Youth Advocate. A Marine Corps Sergeant turned nonprofit leader, ordained clergy member, and father of four, Dr. Perrilliat shares how his journey from military discipline and entrepreneurship to ministry and community advocacy led him to create an organization dedicated to empowering fathers and strengthening families. Serving communities across the San Francisco Bay Area and inside San Quentin State Prison, Man 2 Man works to break cycles of poverty, incarceration, and emotional disconnection by equipping men with the tools to reclaim responsibility, dignity, and purpose.

During the conversation, Dr. Perrilliat explains how Man 2 Man’s programs support fathers through emotional intelligence training, conflict resolution, co-parenting education, and reentry advocacy, including the Last Time In initiative, which has maintained a zero recidivism rate since 2020. He also discusses the societal impact of father absence, barriers within custody and child support systems, and how men can learn to become effective fathers even without strong role models. Dr. Perrilliat shares insights from his book, The Manbook: A Journey Into Manhood, Healing and Strength, which emphasizes that men grow in community and highlights healing, accountability, emotional growth, and reconciliation. 

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁:

https://www.man2man-uya.org

https://www.instagram.com/man2manurbanyouth

https://www.facebook.com/man2manurbanyouthadvocate

https://www.linkedin.com/in/man2man-urban-youth-advocate-1250b247

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#BlackMenMatter #Fatherhood #BlackFathers #CoParenting #CommunityLeadership #BreakingTheCycle #ReentrySupport #PrisonMinistry #StrongFamilies

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Gerald “GEO” Gibson, Founder and Executive Director of Operation Making A Change (OMAC). GEO shares how a man who once searched for identity in the streets now dedicates his life to helping young people find direction before they reach that same crossroads. Born in Waukegan, Illinois, Gerald explains how early exposure to hardship and instability shaped his path and led him into street life at a young age, eventually resulting in multiple prison sentences.

During his final time incarcerated, Gerald began developing what would later become Operation Making A Change, a program built on self-worth, encouragement, and accountability. He became the first participant in the framework he created, using his own transformation as proof of concept. Today, OMAC provides mentorship, life skills, and positive guidance to thousands of youth each year. The work is grounded in the OMAC creed: “I am the present; I am the future. I am a positive leader within my community. I know that Knowledge is power, therefore, I understand the importance of education. I believe in me, so I will always strive towards greatness, knowing that failure is not an option.”

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗱 “𝗚𝗘𝗢” 𝗚𝗶𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗻:

https://www.teamomac.com

https://www.instagram.com/omacteam

https://www.instagram.com/mromac99/

https://www.facebook.com/OperationMakingaChange

https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamomac

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#TheMalePerspective #YouthMentorship #SecondChances #BreakingCycles #BlackVoices #BlackMenLead #CommunityImpact #CommunityLeadership

The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Ken Miller - Speaker, Author, and Mentor, for an honest and powerful conversation about identity, accountability, resilience, and redemption. Ken shares the story behind his memoir, Becoming Ken: One Black Man's Journey From Ivy League to Prison and Back Again, reflecting on the pivotal moments that led him from promise and opportunity into addiction and incarceration, and ultimately toward healing, mentorship, and purpose.

Throughout the discussion, Ken explores the internal and external judgment Black men often face after making mistakes, the role of mentorship in sustained recovery, and how resilience is built one choice at a time. He also speaks candidly about rebuilding trust, showing up for others, and why sharing his full story (the highs and the lows) has become central to his work today.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿:

https://kenmillerspeaks.com

https://www.instagram.com/thekenmillerspeaks

https://www.facebook.com/thekenmillerspeaks

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kenmillerspeaks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7H29FZN

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#TheMalePerspective #BlackMen #RedemptionStory #SecondChances #Resilience #AddictionRecovery #Reentry #Mentorship #BlackMenHealing #PersonalTransformation

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Bill Law - Songwriter and Video Creator behind Lumo Black Media, to discuss the inspiration behind his powerful children’s song and video, “Being Black.” Bill shares how a childhood connection to Sesame Street and the familiar melody of Kermit the Frog helped shape a joyful yet intentional song centered on Black identity, pride, and self-affirmation. He walks through his creative process, from developing the song’s main character to crafting a visual story that resonates with both children and adults, and reflects on the response the project has received since its release.

The conversation also explores how “Being Black” evolved beyond music into an educational kit designed to support educators, families, and communities in nurturing positive Black identity among young learners. Bill discusses the importance of collective responsibility in affirming Black children, the age range and materials included in the kit, and how creative tools like music can enhance learning experiences in meaningful ways. 

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄:

https://lumoblackmedia.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVnjFj0DnDU

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#LanaReid #TheMalePerspective #BlackMenMatter #LumoBlackMedia #BeingBlack #BlackIdentity #BlackCreatives #PositiveRepresentation #BlackStories

The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with Jamey Jenkins, Owner and CEO of Hello Black Man, for a reflective conversation about healing, self-discovery, and the power of intentional journaling. Jamey shares how the Hello Black Man journal series was created as a space for Black men to slow down, reflect, and engage in guided prompts that support emotional wellness, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Throughout the discussion, Jamey talks about the role of writing as a healing practice, why self-reflection is often overlooked in conversations about Black men’s mental and emotional health, and how journaling can become a tool for affirmation and transformation. He also discusses how the Hello Black Man brand has expanded to include journals for various communities and life stages, along with a clothing line and podcast.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀:

https://helloblackman.com

https://www.facebook.com/helloblackman

https://www.instagram.com/helloblackmantv

tiktok.com/@helloblackmantv

https://www.youtube.com/@helloblackman

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B083V6MRBW

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#LanaReid #TheMalePerspective #HelloBlackMan #BlackMenMatter #BlackMenMentalHealth #BlackMenHealing #JournalingForHealing #SelfDiscovery

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with author Dr. Ansley LaMar, Founder and Director of SuperKidz Kamp, to explore his decades-long commitment to youth development, leadership, and positive peer culture. Dr. LaMar shares how his own childhood experiences with summer camp helped shape the vision behind SuperKidz Kamp, a program rooted in the belief that all children are gifted and talented. He explains what sets the camp apart, from its outdoor, nature-based approach to the intentional ways campers learn cooperation, confidence, and accountability through community-centered experiences.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. LaMar also offers insight for parents and caregivers on how to stay engaged in their children’s growth beyond camp, what to look for when choosing a youth program, and why roles like camp counselor can be transformative for college students. This thoughtful discussion highlights the lasting impact of youth mentorship, experiential learning, and creating environments where young people are encouraged to thrive.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗠𝗮𝗿:

https://www.superkidzkamp.com

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#LanaReid #TheMalePerspective #BlackMenMatter #YouthDevelopment #Mentorship #SummerCamp

In this episode of The Male Perspective, host Lana Reid sits down with author Jaret Lloyd for an honest conversation about Black men, anxiety, vulnerability, and healing. Jaret is the author of Thoughts of an Anxious Black Man, a reflective work that explores what it means to carry emotional weight while navigating manhood in a world that often expects Black men to remain silent.

During the conversation, Jaret shares how anxiety showed up in his own life, the moments he realized he could no longer push it aside, and how writing this book changed the way he shows up for himself and other Black men. He also reflects on the unspoken pressures Black men carry, the difficulty of asking for help even within supportive spaces, and the importance of creating environments on campuses, in brotherhoods, and in communities where vulnerability and healing are possible.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗱:

https://www.thoughtsofananxiousblackman.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jlloyd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaret.lloyd.1

https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Anxious-Black-Man-Reflections/dp/B0FX29KBPX

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#LanaReid #TheMalePerspective #BlackMenMatter #BlackMentalHealth #AnxietyAwareness #BlackMenHealing #MentalHealthMatters #ThoughtsOfAnAnxiousBlackMan #BlackAuthors #CommunityConversations

In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Sacher Dawson - Executive Director and Board President of HOPE Farm. Dawson discusses the early motivations behind HOPE Farm, which was co-founded by law enforcement professionals, and shares the remarkable story of their first facility, a former crackhouse transformed into a center of hope and mentorship. He also explains how HOPE Farm has expanded to three locations, the structure of its daily mentorship model, and the expectations placed on both the boys and their parents when they enter the program. Highlighted programs include the Leadership Development Program, the Mothers’ Resource Program (MRP), and the Slone Vocational Center (SVC).

Dawson reflects on the transformative results HOPE Farm has achieved by nurturing boys from single-parent homes from early childhood through high school, and how many former attendees now return as mentors themselves. He discusses the organization’s intentional pathways toward college, military service, or trade school, and shares insights into how HOPE Farm contributes to breaking the cycle of fatherlessness for current and future generations.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗼𝗻:

https://hopefarm.org

https://www.facebook.com/HOPEFarmINC

https://www.instagram.com/hope.farm

🎁 HOPE For the Future: A Capital Campaign - https://hopefarm-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1269287

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#MentorshipMatters #YouthMentorship #BreakingFatherlessness #CommunityLeadership #BuildingFutureLeaders #ServantLeadership

In this episode of The Male Perspective, guest Dr. Eddie Wright, Founder and Executive Director of The We Can Win Foundation, Inc., shares the story behind the life-changing call he received from his doctor in 2012 and the medical journey that followed. He discusses why prostate cancer disproportionately impacts Black men, who face a 70% higher incidence rate and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared to white men, and breaks down the cultural, historical, and systemic factors that contribute to this gap, including persistent hesitation around screenings.

Dr. Wright also explains how newer, less-invasive screening options (such as MRIs, PET scans, and liquid biopsies) can ease fear and support earlier detection, offers practical guidance on when to begin screening and what tests to request, and shares details about his upcoming “Together We Win – Health and Wellness Fair” in 2026.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:

https://wecanwinpc.org

https://facebook.com/realtalkaboutprostatecancer

.

.

.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:

https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid

. 

.

.

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

#ProstateCancer #BlackMensHealth #BlackHealthMatters #CancerEducation #BlackWellness #BlackMensWellness

"The Male Perspective" is hosted by Lana Reid, the founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.