Healing and Growth: A Look at Programs Improving Black Male Wellness

By Tashi McQueen

Across the nation, male-centered organizations are expanding services to ensure Black men and boys have access to resources that help them confront mental health challenges and prevent suicide. These initiatives reflect a growing acknowledgment of the unique pressures faced by Black individuals, particularly males, and the urgent need for tailored mental health support.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo
Diwee Sewell, CEO of Grow Community Care and the G.R.O.W. Program, mentors Baltimore youth, providing culturally aligned guidance, mental health support, and programs that teach life skills and workforce development.

From national to local initiatives, organizations are integrating mental health awareness into their missions, recognizing it as key to Black male wellness.

National Efforts Toward Mental Health Equity

At the forefront of national initiatives is Black Men Heal, a groundbreaking organization founded by Tasnim Sulaiman and co-founded by Zakia Williams. Their mission is to provide culturally informed mental health care specifically for Black men, a demographic that has historically faced barriers to accessing these essential services.

“Black Men Heal was created to be a disruption to an already broken mental healthcare system,” Sulaiman emphasizes. “Intergenerational trauma and systemic racism have taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of the Black community.”

Highlighting the disparity in mental health care, a report titled “Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes About Mental Health” reveals that only 25 percent of Black Americans seek mental health support, compared to 40 percent of White Americans. Williams attributes this gap to a lack of tailored resources, stigma, and high costs associated with care.

Black Men Heal addresses these challenges head-on by offering free therapy sessions with licensed and pre-licensed clinicians of color, many of whom share similar lived experiences. The organization also fosters safe spaces for Black men to discuss their struggles and heal from trauma, featuring virtual support groups like King’s Corner and Gun Violence Group therapy.

“The healing power of connection, without judgment, can transform perspectives, enhance relationships, and profoundly impact lives,” Williams notes, emphasizing the importance of community and shared experience.

Local Level Initiatives: The G.R.O.W. Program

On a local scale, the G.R.O.W. Program in Baltimore exemplifies how targeted support can make a significant difference in the lives of young men. Led by Diwee Sewell, the nonprofit caters to youth aged 9-17, focusing on health, wellness, emotional intelligence, and workforce training.

One of the standout features of the G.R.O.W. Program is its ability to adapt its offerings to the unique interests of participants, thereby fostering strong relationships and culturally relevant guidance. “We provide male counselors who are culturally aligned – from the same community that’s tapped in with the culture,” Sewell explains. Programs like Cash App Classroom teach financial literacy, while Learn to Earn facilitates hands-on skill development.

Building a Brotherhood

Ahkeem Fretman, a 31-year-old participant in the G.R.O.W. Program, describes the experience as akin to a brotherhood. “The G.R.O.W. program is basically like a mentorship and big brother program, where you can learn skills that you need in the real world,” he shares. “It’s like a family. Nobody is bigger than the next person. We’re all still students, we’re still learning from each other.”

For Fretman, the support extended through G.R.O.W. has been transformative. Living with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), he acknowledges that the mentorship he received helped him develop real-world skills necessary for success. “He helped me calm down, listen, and pay attention,” he affirms, speaking of Sewell’s impactful approach to guiding youth with various disorders.

Therapeutic Techniques in Practice

Sewell employs evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to address the mental health needs of participants. “We teach them the power of thought,” he explains. “To replace negative thought patterns and replace them with positive thoughts. We help them develop problem-solving and coping skills.”

Fretman vividly remembers how Sewell interacts with youth, ensuring they stay engaged and motivated. “He often makes sure to speak with youth, give incentives, and show them how to correct mistakes,” he notes, reinforcing the collaborative and supportive environment fostered within G.R.O.W.

For parents and guardians seeking a safe and nurturing space for their children to learn and grow, Fretman highly recommends the G.R.O.W. Program, affirming its positive impact on youth development and mental health management.

In a time when mental health conversations are increasingly taking center stage, organizations like Black Men Heal and the G.R.O.W. Program are crucial in reshaping the narrative for Black men and boys. By addressing specific cultural and systemic barriers to mental health care, these programs not only heal but also empower a new generation of Black males.