You Da Man

I sat down with an amazing brother who I recently met, Eric Rey. He’s an Afro Latino certified coach, musician, Qigong practitioner, and a provider of safe spaces for Black men to grow in their gifts and purpose. We discussed the importance of vulnerability and authentic connection with Black men, the importance of being present, and challenging ourselves to be better.

I sat down with a good brother, my fraternity brother, Dr. Kalfani Turé.  He’s a father, a professor, a public scholar, an activist, and a lover of Black people.  In addition, he’s a former police officer and has an interesting take on policing in America.  We discussed the impact of the void left in the absence of a father, the lessons of the Black barbershop, growing up in poverty, and policing and systemic racism.

I sat down with my boy, Daymyen.  We met almost 20 years ago.  He's a higher education administrator, DEI consultant, a business owner, and a new father.  We discussed the male ego, survivor's guilt, fear of being placed on a pedestal, pressures of success, and fears that come along with raising a Black son.

I sat down with my fraternity brother, Dr. Seth E. Davis. He's a scholar, an activist, a filmmaker, and an all-around dope human being.  We discussed manhood and his experiences growing up as a cis-gender gay Black man, homophobia, and the erasure of the Black queer experience.

I sat down with my homie, Jay Kemp...A Black man, a father, a health/fitness/spirituality coach, an educator, a community-engaged media producer, and an all-around dope human being.  We discussed vulnerability as Black men, therapy, personal growth, and removing the masks that block our true essence.

I sit down with my man, Ato...an Afro-Caribbean Black man, a father, a husband, an engineer, and an all-around dope human being.  We discuss relationships, personal growth, fatherhood, education, and entering the middle class.