It shouldn’t take a hashtag or a month on the calendar for Black men to be seen, heard, and held.

In this special Brave Voices in Education conversation, I’m joined by a powerful panel of brothers for a sacred check-in on Black men’s mental health, masculinity, and what it really means to stay alive and present in this season:

• Vladimir Louissaint – @vladlouissaintspeaks
• Bernard King – @krown_bgk
• James O’Neal – @mr.jamesoneal
• Joshua Warren – @coach_warren06
• Michael Teasley – @coach_teasley
• Hosted by: Craig Aarons-Martin – @iamcraigaaronsmartin

Together, we talk about:

• Why every month should be Black Men’s Mental Health Month
• Personal journeys with anger, depression, weight loss, chronic illness, and therapy
• Embracing authenticity as Black men (including queerness, softness, and sensitivity)
• Burnout in hustle culture and the pressure to be “everything for everybody”
• Unlearning harmful masculinity norms, family secrets, and “superhero” expectations
• Building real brotherhood: checking in, not performing; being vulnerable, not “weak”
• What we want Black boys, teens, and grown men to know: you are not alone

This is bigger than a panel. It’s a living room. A barbershop. A healing circle.

If you’ve ever been the “strong one,” the silent one, the funny one, the church kid, the coach, the teacher, the father, the son… this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen to Brave Voices in Education on all podcast platforms
📺 Subscribe here on YouTube for more honest conversations on joy, justice, and education
📲 Connect with our guests:
– @vladlouissaintspeaks
– @krown_bgk
– @mr.jamesoneal
– @coach_warren06
– @coach_teasley
– @iamcraigaaronsmartin

Call to action:
If something in this episode stirred you, don’t keep it to yourself.
• Share this with a brother who needs a gentle push to get help.
• Send that “just checking in” text.
• Make the therapy appointment.
• Take the nap.

Generate your own joy. Never go it alone. Get free. And always love your brave. 🖤