Why focus on black men's healing to empower the community? Whether right or wrong, when discussing the ills and disparities within the Black community, many things are discussed, such as violence, drugs, poverty, and emotional, physical, and spiritual health. However, there are two that come to the forefront, especially in the Black community: racism and the black men's role. It's been said that men are responsible for cultivating hope. The presupposition is that men themselves have hope, but how can they develop that which he does not have? And how can he heal from the pain that isn't acknowledged, or he believes that doing so is unmanly?

When the Black man suffers, everybody in the family and community suffers tenfold. Black men are not responsible for America's original sin and the pervasive structural racism built upon its foundation, but Black men better take responsibility for HEALING from its devastating impacts upon them so Black men can be healthy crusaders with women in rebuilding our families, vital communities, and capable children. Without healing from individual and intergenerational trauma, it's hard to fully experience a relationship that reflects respect for all the people in the relationship, including the children, and moves towards becoming a safe and healthy part of the community.

Samuel Simmons, Jr.