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.

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, James Trice sits down with fatherhood advocate and community leader Guy Bowling to unpack the realities Black men face in America — from absent fathers and generational trauma to systemic barriers that impact families and communities.

Drawing from nearly 35 years of work with low-income and non-custodial fathers, Guy shares how his own experience growing up without a father shaped his mission to help men become present, engaged, and empowered fathers. Together, James and Guy challenge harmful stereotypes about Black men, expose policies that often work against families, and explore how trauma, poverty, incarceration, and lack of support systems continue to affect Black fatherhood.

But this conversation also goes deeper — into healing, purpose, peace, and what Black men need to truly thrive.

Guy speaks candidly about the importance of Black men having safe spaces to be vulnerable, accountable, and supported by one another. He emphasizes the power of mentorship, community, emotional healing, and the discovery of one’s God-given purpose. He also shares his hope that Black men move beyond survival mode and begin experiencing peace, joy, healthy relationships, financial stability, and fulfillment.

James “Mayor Ferg” Ferguson joins YANA: You Are Not Alone for a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring conversation about survival, redemption, faith, and brotherhood.

After spending 31 years incarcerated for murder, Ferguson opens up about the painful realities of prison life, the spiritual awakening that transformed him behind bars, and the purpose he discovered through restorative justice and mentoring other incarcerated men. Known inside prison walls as “Mayor Ferg,” he became a voice of encouragement and leadership for men searching for hope in dark places.

But his greatest battle came when doctors diagnosed him with a rare and aggressive brain cancer while he was still incarcerated, giving him only three weeks to live. Nearly two decades later, Ferguson is still here, still fighting, and still using his testimony to uplift others.

In this powerful episode, Ferguson shares:

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with Captain Horeb of Israel United in Christ for a raw, thought-provoking conversation about Black identity, spirituality, manhood, oppression, accountability, and community.

From personal transformation and incarceration culture to faith, biblical law, and the search for purpose, Captain Horeb shares how discovering Israelite teachings changed the course of his life—from the streets to becoming a husband, father, and leader. Together, James and Captain Horeb tackle difficult questions surrounding religion, social conditioning, Black unity, moral responsibility, and the role of order and discipline in rebuilding Black communities.

This episode does not shy away from controversy. Instead, it creates space for honest dialogue, challenging perspectives, and deeper understanding—even when disagreements exist. At its core, this conversation is about listening, learning, and confronting the issues many Black men wrestle with in silence.

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, host James Trice welcomes back Lamont Jackson for an unfiltered dialogue on what’s really happening inside our schools—and our communities.

Lamont, a social behavioral educator working with middle school students in underserved communities, pulls back the curtain on the daily realities facing young people navigating trauma, instability, and broken systems. From classroom disruptions to deeper emotional struggles, he shares what it means to stand in the gap—not just as an educator, but as a mentor, advocate, and “surrogate voice” for accountability and hope.

Together, James and Lamont tackle hard truths: the impact of fatherlessness, the normalization of dysfunction, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the tension between systemic inequities and personal responsibility. But this episode isn’t just about problems—it’s about purpose.

Lamont offers a compelling vision for change rooted in community, faith, and relationship-building—challenging families, churches, and leaders to move beyond talk and into action. He reminds us that real transformation starts with planting seeds—seeds of discipline, love, accountability, and identity—even if we may never see the full harvest.

What happens when Black men are finally given permission to speak openly about pain, trauma, healing, and hope?

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with behavioral consultant and licensed chemical dependency counselor Sam Simmons for an honest and deeply needed conversation about Black men’s mental and emotional health, trauma, healing, masculinity, and community.

Sam shares the powerful story behind the creation of the 18th Annual Community Empowering Through Black Men Healing Conference, a movement born from a heated debate that evolved into a mission to create safe spaces for Black men to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves and each other.

In this powerful third installment of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice continues his deeply moving conversation with Coley Gates, a man whose story defies logic and redefines faith, brotherhood, and purpose.

After spending 25 years incarcerated, Coley opens up about the emotional weight of reconnecting with family, the unbreakable bond of the “Seven Mighty Men,” and the spiritual foundation that carried him through the darkest seasons of his life. This episode dives deep into what real brotherhood looks like—men who prayed together, cried together, held each other accountable, and ultimately helped one another survive and thrive against impossible odds.

Coley shares what shocked him most about the world after his release—the disconnect in community, the shifting dynamics of family, and the tension between opportunity and temptation. With raw honesty, he speaks on navigating freedom, resisting old paths, and stepping into his calling as a voice of hope for others still trapped—physically and mentally.

From mentoring youth and serving the homeless, to returning to prisons to uplift those still inside, Coley is living proof that transformation is real—and that no one is beyond redemption.

The episode closes with a gripping spoken word performance, “Oh Say Can You See,” challenging listeners to reflect on justice, identity, and unity in today’s world.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Coley shares what it was like to be sentenced to 999 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit — and how faith, accountability, and deep personal transformation carried him through 25 years behind bars. But this story isn’t just about prison. It’s about healing.

Coley talks about:

In this powerful episode of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice sits down with Minneapolis native Coley Gates for a raw and deeply moving conversation about faith, accountability, and transformation.

Coley opens the episode with a powerful spoken-word piece from his book Common Sense: We Are Bigger Than the Box You Put Us In, reflecting on identity, pain, and the legacy of Black men in America. But his story goes far deeper.

As a young man, Coley was sentenced to 999 years, 99 months, and 99 days in prison for a crime he did not commit. Instead of “snitching” on the person responsible, he accepted the consequences of the life he had been living. Behind the walls of Supermax prison in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, Coley began a profound journey of self-discovery.