Black Men Matter series of The Male Perspective

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The Male Perspective: Black Men Matter Series is hosted by Lana Reid and centers the lived experiences, voices, and humanity of Black men through open, honest, and thought-provoking conversations. Each episode explores identity, healing, relationships, mental health, purpose, accountability, and community—moving beyond stereotypes to highlight the depth, diversity, and nuance of Black male experiences. Through storytelling and dialogue, this series creates space for reflection, understanding, and connection across generations. Presented by Conversations in Color, a nonprofit organization

  1. 5d ago

    Black Men Matter Series: When Does the Sentence End? Navigating Life After Prison | Victor M. Vincent Jr.

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Victor M. Vincent Jr. — Founder and President of The ReEntry Expert, for a conversation about incarceration, education, employment, and the realities of successfully rebuilding a life after prison. Victor shares some of his personal journey, the challenges he faced returning to his community, and the many moving pieces that contributed to his own success. The impact and importance of obtaining a GED, why earning that credential can present significant obstacles for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, and the educational and employment opportunities that can become available once it is obtained are explored as important elements in navigating reentry.Victor sheds light on what society really means when it talks about giving people a “second chance” as he discusses employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records, the importance of jobs that provide stability and benefits, barriers to higher education, and what reentry programs could learn by listening more closely to the people preparing to return home. Drawing from both his lived experience and his work helping others navigate reentry, Victor addresses the lasting consequences of incarceration and the systems that can either support or hinder a person’s ability to move forward. Victor closes the conversation with an important message for young Black men about how even a seemingly small decision that leads to incarceration can create consequences that extend far beyond the time spent behind bars.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠. 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗝𝗿.:https://www.thereentryexpert.org/https://www.facebook.com/TheReEntryExperthttps://www.instagram.com/the_re_entry_expert...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#Reentry #LifeAfterPrison #EmploymentAfterIncarceration #ReentryPrograms #BlackMaleVoices #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: When Does the Sentence End? Navigating Life After Prison | Victor M. Vincent Jr.

  2. Sep 23

    Black Men Matter Series: Evolution of a Man: Normalized Chaos to a Better Tomorrow | Greg West

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Greg West — Author, Founder of Better Tomorrow Behavioral Health and Felons With A Future, combat veteran, and advocate for healing, reentry, and second chances. Greg takes us through his evolution from a young boy growing up amid what he describes as “normalized chaos” in Dayton, Ohio, to becoming involved in street life at an early age, becoming a father at 16, and entering the military in an attempt to escape the streets. His story is a candid exploration of what it means to recognize that escaping an environment and healing from what happened within that environment are two very different things.Today, Greg uses those lived experiences to help others navigate their own journeys toward healing and stability. Through Better Tomorrow Behavioral Health, he works to address mental health, substance use, and the barriers that can prevent Black men and families from seeking professional support. Through Felons With A Future, he helps formerly incarcerated individuals move beyond the stigma of a criminal record through mentorship, business development, community support, and opportunities for a fresh start. Greg also discusses his books Evolution of This Man and Chosen Vessel, the individual and collective healing he believes is necessary within Black communities, and the importance of rebuilding a village that supports people rather than discarding them.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁:https://gregwestbooks.com/https://felonswithafuture.org/https://bettertomorrowbehavioral.org/https://independent.academia.edu/GregWest17To find out how to submit to Precious Vessel: A Black Woman Collection, email evolutionofthisman@gmail.com...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackMenHealing #BreakingGenerationalCycles #FormerlyIncarcerated #BlackCommunity #BlackAuthors #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: Evolution of a Man: Normalized Chaos to a Better Tomorrow | Greg West

  3. Sep 16

    Black Men Matter Series: The Power of Men Showing Up to Mentor | The Men of Born2BeAMan

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with the men of Born2BeAMan Mentoring Program: Russell Harrison Sr. (Founder & President), Derrick “DEE” Feaster (Events and Activities Coordinator), Jamil Hamza (Program Counselor), and Ja'Vonte Holloman (Fitness and Wellness Coach/Youth Spiritual Counselor). Harrison shares how nearly three decades of working with young people, beginning with his own nieces, nephews, children, and their friends, eventually led him to establish Born2BeAMan. Together, the men discuss what adults may misunderstand about the challenges facing boys today, the importance of adapting mentorship across generations, and why young Black boys need men in their lives who consistently demonstrate love, discipline, guidance, and support. The conversation also explores Born2BeAMan's year-round approach to mentorship, which includes life skills, conflict resolution, mental health discussions, affirmations, tutoring, academic support, community service, educational travel, college exposure, recreation, and hands-on experiences designed to broaden what young men believe is possible for their lives.The interview also highlights the intergenerational nature of mentorship and what happens when young men who have been poured into begin pouring into others. Ja'Vonte discusses his transition from Born2BeAMan mentee to junior mentor, while Derrick and Jamil reflect on the balance between being relatable to younger boys and accepting the responsibility that comes with becoming their mentors and role models. The men speak candidly about what mentoring has taught them about themselves, the importance of listening to young people rather than expecting them to conform to previous generations, parental involvement, emotional expression, fatherhood, community visibility, and the responsibility to pay forward what others have given them. Harrison also reflects on how the young men have influenced his own growth as a father and mentor and why, after years of largely carrying the program himself, seeing a new generation of men step forward to lead, serve, and love the boys coming behind them represents the larger purpose of Born2BeAMan: creating a continuing cycle of men investing in men.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗻𝟮𝗕𝗲𝗔𝗠𝗮𝗻:https://b2bammp.org/https://www.facebook.com/born.harrison.5https://www.instagram.com/born2beamanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@born2beaman__2017_7...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackMenMentoring #BlackBoys #BlackYouth #BlackCommunity #BlackMentors #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: The Power of Men Showing Up to Mentor | The Men of Born2BeAMan

  4. Sep 9

    Black Men Matter Series: RUTHLESS! A Novel of Love, Trauma & Intimate Partner Violence | Wyatt O’Brian Evans

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Wyatt O’Brian Evans — Journalist, Author, Radio Personality, and Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A) subject matter expert and advocate. Wyatt discusses his latest novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart: RUTHLESS!, the fourth installment in his Nothing Can Tear Us Apart series featuring Wesley and Antonio, two men of color navigating the complexities of love and a committed, monogamous relationship. He shares the inspiration behind the novel, his character-development and writing process, and his commitment to portraying LGBTQ+ people of color as multidimensional individuals whose lives and relationships extend beyond stereotypes. RUTHLESS! explores difficult themes including trauma, mental health, family dynamics, healing, forgiveness, and intimate partner violence and abuse.Drawing from his own experience as an IPV/A survivor, as well as his work as an advocate and journalist, Wyatt discusses the prevalence of IPV/A, why abuse between men may not always be recognized or taken seriously, and how societal expectations surrounding masculinity can make it difficult for male survivors to acknowledge abuse, seek help, or speak openly about their experiences. Wyatt also shares why challenging attitudes such as “boys will be boys” must begin long before adulthood.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝘆𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗢’𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘀:https://www.wyattevans.com/https://www.instagram.com/sir.wyattofficial/https://www.facebook.com/wyattobrianevanshttps://substack.com/@wyattoutloudhttps://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Can-Tear-Us-Apart/dp/B0HF1JCDNY/...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackVoices #IntimatePartnerViolence #SameGenderLoving #LGBTQLiterature #BlackAuthors #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: RUTHLESS! A Novel of Love, Trauma & Intimate Partner Violence | Wyatt O’Brian Evans

  5. Sep 2

    Black Men Matter Series: Building Something Greater Through GRIT | Darryl Russell Smith Jr.

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Darryl Russell Smith Jr. — speaker, entrepreneur, and creator of the GRIT brand, which includes the GRIT Conversation and GRIT IP Group. Darryl's professional journey spans more than 20 years in mortgage banking before transitioning into entrepreneurship, where his ventures have included transportation, vehicle rentals, business consulting, AI automation, and media. Drawing from both his professional experiences and personal journey, Darryl has developed GRIT around the belief that meaningful conversations, personal accountability, discipline, and lived experience can change the direction of a person's life. He brings those ideas to corporations, schools, athletic programs, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and community groups through keynotes, workshops, leadership summits, and conversations designed to move audiences toward actionable change.Darryl's message is also rooted in a life that has required rebuilding. At 19, he was convicted of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, an experience he openly incorporates into his story rather than allowing it to define the life that followed. In the GRIT Conversation, he uses lessons from his past, career, entrepreneurship, family, faith, successes, and failures to explore responsibility, resilience, leadership, purpose, and legacy. Through his story, Darryl challenges others to take accountability for their choices, recognize that their past does not have to determine their future, and understand how honest conversations can become a starting point for change.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗹 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗿.:https://gritconversation.com/http://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-smith-832821116https://www.instagram.com/rsmithgrit/https://linktr.ee/gritbrand...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackVoices #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackLeadership #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: Building Something Greater Through GRIT | Darryl Russell Smith Jr.

  6. Aug 26

    Black Men Matter Series: Making History as the First Black U.S. Army Sniper in the Iraq Campaign | Roderick Pugh

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Roderick Pugh - the U.S. Army’s first Black sniper in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Roderick shares his journey from growing up in Clarke County, Alabama, to enlisting in the Army shortly before 9/11 and eventually serving two combat tours in Iraq. He reflects on entering Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division during the initial 2003 invasion, the realities of combat that civilians may not fully understand, and what led him to sniper training. Roderick also discusses completing sniper school in 2006 and the significance of his place in military history, with his qualification coming a year before Nicholas Irving, another Black sniper in the U.S. Army.Roderick also takes the conversation beyond his historic military achievement, explaining what it takes mentally and physically to become a sniper and the unique challenges veterans can experience when transitioning from military service back into civilian life. He discusses his memoir, 2 Lives, and the story of balancing the two sides of himself. Roderick also reflects on what he valued most about serving in the Army and whether there are still opportunities for Black service members to become “the first” in other areas of the military.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝘂𝗴𝗵:https://thebamamist.com/https://www.instagram.com/thebamamist/https://www.facebook.com/pughroderickhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM4BF8YZ...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/conversationsincolor/🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#BlackMilitaryHistory #BlackVeterans #BlackHistory #ArmySniper #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: Making History as the First Black U.S. Army Sniper in the Iraq Campaign | Roderick Pugh

  7. Aug 19

    Black Men Matter Series: Mental Health, Autism and the Power of Youth Advocacy | Lawrence C. Harris

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Lawrence C. Harris - Author and Youth Empowerment Speaker. At just 20 years old, Lawrence has transformed his own experiences with childhood trauma, bullying, autism, and mental health challenges into a mission of helping other young people navigate life. He shares why adults need to create safe spaces where young people can admit when they are struggling, the importance of building trust without forcing young people to open up before they are ready and how his own journey taught him that asking for help is a sign of growth rather than weakness.Lawrence also discusses living with C-PTSD and autism, challenging stereotypes surrounding both and why he believes people should be seen as individuals rather than diagnoses. He explains how being autistic has become a strength in his work as a speaker, allowing him to connect with audiences in unique ways. Lawrence also reflects on journaling as an important tool in his healing, his work as an author, and the lessons he now shares with teens and young adults about changing limiting beliefs, developing healthier coping skills, and recognizing that difficult circumstances do not have to determine their future.𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀:https://www.lawrencecharris.comhttps://www.instagram.com/lawrencec.empowershttps://www.tiktok.com/@lawrencecempowershttps://www.youtube.com/@lawrencecempowershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-harris-8b0177324/📝Free Journaling E-Book - https://lawrencec-empowers-breh9q.subscribepage.io/...𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁:https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid. ..𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻:Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4WHiey5ZoJYni1wY7CyTg2?si=5c7207f94b8e4ea7🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6#YouthMentalHealth #AutismAwareness #MentalHealthAdvocacy #OvercomingAdversity #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: Mental Health, Autism and the Power of Youth Advocacy | Lawrence C. Harris

  8. Aug 12

    Black Men Matter Series: Empowering Young Lives Through Education and Mentorship | Jarrell Harris

    In this episode of The Male Perspective, Lana Reid sits down with Jarrell Harris - Founder of Empowering Males, Inc. and the educational initiative Empowering Young Lives Academy. Jarrell shares the personal journey that led him into education, explaining how a difficult season marked by grief, personal setbacks, and the loss of his grandmother ultimately became the path to discovering his gift for teaching. He reflects on becoming one of the few Black men in early childhood education, overcoming stereotypes surrounding male educators, and the mentors who recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue his calling. Jarrell also discusses the vision behind launching Empowering Young Lives Academy before expanding his work through Empowering Males, Inc., and why he believes educating the whole child extends far beyond academics. He explains the importance of life skills, strong parent engagement, and creating environments where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Jarrell also emphasizes the vital role community mentors play in helping young people succeed and why today's youth still need safe spaces where they can build relationships, develop confidence, and grow into future leaders. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringmalesinc/ https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweringMalesInc/ https://www.facebook.com/empoweringyounglives1/ . . . 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝘁: https://linktr.ee/theladylanareid .  . . 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻: Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/4019OO6 Amazon Music - https://bit.ly/41UlLI2 iHeart Radio - https://ihr.fm/3BOmdx4 Pandora - https://bit.ly/3CezvD8 Spotify - https://spoti.fi/40eoPxr 🔔 Want to be a guest or have a guest idea? 📝 GUEST SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/owz3k5i3xpwzsEZs6 #EarlyChildhoodEducation #BlackEducators #YouthMentorship #EducationalLeadership #BlackMenMatter

    Black Men Matter Series: Empowering Young Lives Through Education and Mentorship | Jarrell Harris
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The Male Perspective: Black Men Matter Series is hosted by Lana Reid and centers the lived experiences, voices, and humanity of Black men through open, honest, and thought-provoking conversations. Each episode explores identity, healing, relationships, mental health, purpose, accountability, and community—moving beyond stereotypes to highlight the depth, diversity, and nuance of Black male experiences. Through storytelling and dialogue, this series creates space for reflection, understanding, and connection across generations. Presented by Conversations in Color, a nonprofit organization

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