Healing * Inspiration * Self-Care
I remember a 14 year old gang member being celebratedfor dying in a gunfight with the police. His friends and neighborsconstantly talked about how he used to run from the policebefore he died. This became his story about his life after he died. His friends and neighbors put up banners in his communitywith his picture …
“Safe space” has become the current buzz word that is beingapplied to everything from intimate gatherings to public events. There are ads for meetings for Black men that promise asafe space while also sharing a publicly available Zoom link.The reality is that it is not really a safe space when you don’tknow who is lurking …
Nasir Bayan shares tips to help Black men achieve work life balance during this Black MENtal Health Monday segment. Nasir Bayan is a Corporate Wellness Expert andLicensed Therapist in Atlanta, GA.He is the founder of True Peace Counseling & Wellness,and his services include: Brainspotting sessions, Wellness Coaching,Career and Executive Coaching, and therapy for depression,anxiety, trauma and …
Happy 45th Birthday Sid! It is hard to believe it has been nine years since we said our last goodbye.I will always miss us hugging each other and hearing your laugh as we wished each other Happy Birthday. You will forever be the best birthday gift I have ever received. I discovered my purpose because …
Are Black Males An Endangered Species?I had a discussion about this topic a few years ago with a Black male educator due to current events at that time.We also discussed the fact that this has been arecurrent topic due to current events for decades. We are well aware of some of the factors that area …
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that …
I heard a person say that healed Black men won’t show up to healing events. This is another type of comment that contributes to the mental health stigma in the Black community due to the misunderstanding of what “healing” is or should be. First of all, life is a healing journey. Every human “being” is …
Happy Thanksgiving from The Sid Center! We are so grateful for each and every one of you: Thank you for helping The Sid Center to fulfill its missionto help Black men heal and reach their full potential. While a lot has been accomplished and there is still a lotmore to do, be thankful for the …
There was a recent incident where a teenager was arrested in class at their high school for an armed robbery crime. Some people were surprised that the teenager was arrested at school, even though the crime didn’t happen at the school. Even more people were shocked that the teenager will be tried as an adult …
We had a powerful Black Men Healing Circle Fall Gathering on October 11, 2022. This was the first hybrid event where the men attended in-person and virtually. I want more Black men to have the opportunity to participate in thisamazing experience. The Sid Center will start offering in-person and virtualBlack Men Healing Circles in November …
I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker on the Perri Small Show on the radio station WVONon September 27, 2022. During this live show we discussed how Black men are being left outof opportunities and resources that are available compared to Black women. One of the Black men who called in talked about …
One of the primary reasons the Black Men Healing Circle is such a powerful experience is because of the men who choose to show up. Doctors, lawyers, psychotherapists, college students, retired senior citizens, and Black men from a variety of backgrounds have shown up for themselves. They chose to leave their title at the door, …
I listened to a Black man talk about how he was in pain, but didn’t want other people to see that he was in pain.He was used to being the source of strength and support for other people. It was hard for him to accept support even though he needed it.It was hard for him …
Fall is the perfect season for reflection and doing a reset if needed. This year is almost over. Have you accomplished most of your 2022 goals? Are you wondering where all of the time went? Do you feel anxious about the time that is left in this year, and your ability to make the most …
I remember a one year old Black boy huffing and puffing so much that he was barely able to breathe. He was upset, and was trying hard not to cry. He didn’t want to cry because he was always told to “Man Up” when he started to cry. Even though he had only been in …
I recently read about the death of a young Black male comedian named Teddy Ray. I saw a lot of comments that expressed shock and sadness at his sudden passing, but what stood out to me the most were the comments that mentioned the impact Teddy Ray had on their lives. There were a lot …
Russell J. Ledet, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. is an amazing example of the power of believing in you and your dreams. I am still in awe at the powerful moment in his viral video when he told himself “I am proud of you Black man!” after matching for his triple board residency in pediatrics, general psychiatry, and child and …
A common phrase is birds of a feather flock together. Another popular phrase is that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This is why an important question you need to constantly ask yourself is: “Who is in your circle?” Are the people you are allowing into your …
A common complaint I hear from my adolescent clients when they are dealing with situations they don’t like is that they can’t wait until they grow up. They assume that becoming an adult will somehow magically solve all of their problems. This is because they don’t fully understand that adults are still struggling with problems …
The heart of a Black man is more fragile than many people think it is. Black men suffer from heartbreak just like everyone else. They may suffer in silence more because of societal pressures to appear tough on the outside. Yet, underneath that tough exterior is a heart that has been broken into a million …
Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated. Having some type of support system is crucial for our well-being at every stage of life. It is even more important for Black men who may feel unloved and unappreciated, because they already have a variety of risk factors that threaten their well-being, including racial trauma and health …
We know that words have power. The power to heal. The power to destroy. The power to build up. Words have the power to shape the narratives of our lives. One of the ways Black men can help change the narrative of their lives is to use the power of their own words. Lester Young recently shared how …
Happy 44th Birthday Sid!I will always miss us telling each other “Happy Birthday!” on our birthday. It does not feel like it has been 8 years since the last time we saw each other, and unknowingly gave our final hug and goodbye. As I reflect upon your life today, I want you to know that …
I have seen a lot of Black men heartbroken over having to fight to remain active in their child’s life. Common complaints include not being able to spend enough time with their child, co-parenting issues that result in them appearing to be the bad guy in the relationship, and the eventual estrangement between them and …
