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 disparities.
Take some time to evaluate your relationships and their impact on your well-being.
Ask yourself the following questions during your evaluation:
Do you feel supported as a Black man?
Do you have anyone you can count on?
Do you feel valued in your relationships?
Do you have an inner circle of friends that is truly a safe space for you?
The power of brotherly love for Black men was demonstrated recently on LinkedIn
when Dr. Kofi Smith decided to give another Black man his flowers while that man was
still alive to appreciate it. He wrote a note of gratefulness that was a tribute to Jay Bailey.
His public tribute to Jay shared the impact Jay had on his life, along with photos that
highlighted some of Jay’s most precious memories. It was a touching and powerful experience
to witness a Black man sharing his love and appreciation for another Black man.
It will be wonderful to see more Black men honoring each other to show them
that they are loved and appreciated.
Here is a final question to ask yourself during your evaluation:
How can you support another Black man in your life to show him that he is loved and appreciated?
