What keeps us from becoming who we're meant to be? In this deeply personal episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, James Trice sits down with his younger brother, Eric Tennial, for an honest conversation about fear, identity, education, and finding purpose later in life. Eric shares how returning to college at nearly 60 challenged decades of self-doubt, how communication became his greatest strength, and why personal growth begins with taking the first step. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, healing, and discovering that it's never too late to rewrite your story.

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In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, James Trice sits down with educator, environmental justice leader, and community organizer Bennett Olupo for an honest conversation about what it means to be a Black man in America today. Together, they explore the importance of Black educators, the lasting impact of George Floyd's murder, environmental justice, community organizing, and why hope is an act of resistance. This is a conversation about moving beyond survival—toward healing, leadership, and building a future where Black communities thrive.

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In this powerful fifth installment of the YANA series, host James Trice sits down again with Mujasi Bendele of Black Family Blueprint for a deeply reflective and transformative conversation on manhood, healing, and legacy.

Mujasi shares his personal journey—from inheriting incomplete and often harmful definitions of manhood to consciously rebuilding a more holistic, emotionally grounded, and community-centered practice. He speaks candidly about the gaps many men grow up with: the absence of emotional language, the distortion of relationships, and the pressure to perform rather than truly develop.

Through stories of mentorship, fatherhood, and self-examination, this episode explores how real transformation happens—not through age or titles, but through intentional practice, community, and accountability. Mujasi unpacks how early interventions, consistent guidance, and safe spaces for Black men can interrupt cycles of harm and create pathways toward healing.

At its core, this conversation is about planting seeds—doing the work today that may not fully bloom in our lifetime, but will shape stronger families, healthier relationships, and more conscious generations to come.

In Part 4 of this YANA episode with Mujasi Bandele, host James Trice and Brother Mujasi continue their powerful, no-holds-barred conversation that cuts to the heart of Black manhood, family, and community responsibility.

This episode moves beyond surface-level conversations about “raising boys” and dives deeply into the intentional work of rearing Black men—a process rooted in purpose, accountability, spirituality, and collective care. Brother Mujasi introduces the critical distinction between raising and rearing children, emphasizing that Black manhood is not accidental, but thoughtfully constructed through family, community, and culture.

Together, they explore:

In this powerful third episode of YANA with Mujasi Bandele, host James Trice and Brother Mujasi continue their deep, unfiltered conversation on the making of a Black man—and why the Black family, in all its forms, is foundational to Black male development.

Together, they unpack a truth often overlooked: manhood does not begin at 18—it begins at birth. From prenatal bonding and early childhood attachment to adolescence, adulthood, and elderhood, this episode explores how every stage of life shapes a Black man’s identity, emotional health, and capacity for responsibility.

Brother Mujasi draws on neuroscience, cultural wisdom, spirituality, and lived experience to explain:

In this powerful Part II conversation of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice is joined again by Mujasi Bandele (Black Family Blueprint) for a deeply necessary dialogue on Black manhood, family, and survival in an anti-Black society.

Together, they wrestle with urgent questions:

What does it actually mean to be a Black man today?

This episode explores the family as the first institution of manhood, the need to institutionalize culturally rooted definitions of Black masculinity, and the three essential pillars of development: reflection, relationship, and resistance. Mujasi lays out a framework that challenges Eurocentric scripts of manhood and calls Black communities to reclaim the power of family, intergenerational mentorship, spiritual grounding, and collective responsibility.

What does it truly mean to become a practicing Black man—and why can’t we do it alone?

In this powerful, deeply reflective first installment of a multi-part conversation, host James Trice welcomes Mujasi Bandeli, co-founder of Black Family Blueprint, family practitioner, and long-time mentor rooted in South Minneapolis. Together, they explore the sacred, often overlooked truth that Black manhood is not formed in isolation, but in intentional, honest, and accountable relationships with other men.

Mujasi shares his decades-long journey working with Black boys, men, and families—unpacking how mentorship, vulnerability, spiritual grounding, and communal responsibility shape sustainable manhood. From youth development to adult coaching through Black Men in Mind, this episode examines how performative masculinity, generational gaps, and poorly designed spaces can block real growth—and how intentional relationship-building can heal it.

Listeners will hear a moving, real-life story of transformation, love, grief, and pride as Mujasi reflects on a mentee he has walked with for over 20 years—and how that relationship changed them both. The conversation closes with a sobering yet urgent reflection on the future of Black manhood, raising critical questions that set the stage for Part 2.

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with retired military veteran, youth advocate, and father James Ware to discuss his deeply personal journey through the family court system. After becoming the primary caregiver for his daughter, James found himself facing false allegations, protective orders, legal battles, and the emotional toll of fighting for custody as a Black father.

Together, they explore the challenges many Black men encounter when navigating family courts, the stereotypes that often work against them, and the resilience required to remain present for their children despite overwhelming obstacles. James shares how faith, perseverance, documentation, and an unwavering commitment to his daughter helped him overcome adversity and ultimately secure custody.

This conversation goes beyond one man's story. It shines a light on fatherhood, justice, parental rights, healing, and the importance of Black men remaining engaged in the lives of their children. It is a candid, emotional, and inspiring discussion about what it means to fight not only for custody, but for connection, dignity, and family.

If you've ever wondered what Black fathers face behind the scenes in custody disputes—or if you're looking for a story of perseverance, faith, and unconditional love—this episode is one you won't want to miss.

What does it take to find your voice—and why might it be one of the most important skills a young person can develop?

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with renowned spoken word artist, educator, mentor, and basketball coach Frank Sentwali Gardner for a thought-provoking conversation about literacy, mentorship, Black manhood, and the transformative power of words.

Frank shares his journey from discovering hip-hop and poetry as a young boy to becoming a respected artist and educator dedicated to helping young people find their voice. Together, James and Frank explore the connection between reading, writing, impulse control, emotional intelligence, and long-term success—especially for Black boys and men navigating today's world.

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with South Minneapolis community leader Reggie Ferguson — founder of the Agape Movement and a man whose life journey spans street violence, incarceration, devastating personal loss, and spiritual transformation.

Reggie opens up about growing up in South Minneapolis, his past involvement in street life, and the painful “life-changing moments” that forced him to confront the cost of violence. From losing loved ones and watching families break apart, to the heartbreaking murder of his own son, Reggie shares the raw truth behind grief, revenge, restraint, and healing.

The conversation also dives into the work of the Agape Movement at 38th & Chicago following the murder of George Floyd — including violence prevention, restorative justice, youth mentorship, prison outreach, community patrols, and efforts to bridge the gap between police and the community.

More than an interview, this episode is a testimony about accountability, Black brotherhood, redemption, and the urgent need for spaces where Black men can speak honestly, heal openly, and love each other through pain.