OCCUPATION: Actor + Model

SHARE A STORY OR EXPERIENCE THAT DEFINES YOUR JOURNEY AS A BLACK MAN.
For the most part I’m fun, creative, lively, warm and a soft place for people to land however when I shut down, hide away to deal with my feelings or even decide to break down I’m not provided with a soft place to land. I know this is very general however this could make up different stories over the course of my life. When I was in school and having a mental breakdown I had people complain about me not talking to them instead of seeing how I was or asking if I was ok. When I moved to Atlanta and ran into so many different issues, and disappeared from social media I had people asking me where was I at cause they want to laugh not if I’m ok. When I broke down in front of my siblings about how mentally unhealthy I was they told me it wasn’t that deep and find something to laugh about.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD ASPECT OF BEING A BLACK MAN?
We don’t feel, we have it easier cause people are intimidated, we are a lot of peoples fetish, we aren’t respected for our creativity but moreso our capability.

DEAR BLACK MAN…
You are art. Every bit of pain, every shortcoming, misstep or mistake is a brick that builds up the sturdy wall of the mural that you’re painted on.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A BLACK MAN?
I have an opportunity to be the change I want to see in the world. That I am a leader at birth.

HOW CAN BLACK MEN WIN IN AMERICA?
Being more understanding of each other. Building more of a community that feeds and helps us thrive. Being a soft place for every black man to land. Uplifting our community, which will uplift us in return.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
”I am not accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis