When Aaron Perry was struggling to control his diabetes, he had an idea: participate in an Ironman Triathlon. He was told it couldn’t be done by someone in his health condition. One year later, he became the world’s first African American diabetic to finish the race.

After that, Perry went on to create the Men’s Health and Education Center and became a vocal advocate for Black men’s health in Dane County.

Today, Aaron Perry joins us along with Dr. Alvin Thomas, an assistant professor and clinical psychologist in human development and family studies, to talk unapologetically about Black men’s physical and mental health.

Together with Wednesday host Ali Muldrow, they discuss issues like father involvement, limitations on Black men’s emotional expression, and why the barbershop is the perfect place to educate Black men about health and have open conversations about stress, trauma, and their role in the community.

Stay tuned for a new podcast coming from Aaron Perry, Dr. Alvin Thomas, and Dr. Logan Edwards called Black Men Speak.

Aaron Perry is the founder of Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the health of African American men in Dane County. With RLWA, he started the Men’s Health and Wellness Education Center, which operates out of JP Hair Design, Madison’s largest Black barbershop.

Dr. Alvin Thomas is an assistant professor and clinical psychologist in the Human Development and Family Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Dr. Logan Edwards is an assistant professor, Certified Health Education Specialist, and Health Education/Teacher Education program coordinator in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.