Once a month, Keith Pickett and Scott Pierce gather upwards of sixty Black and African American men from the community for conversation and fellowship.
“We are creating and providing a safe space where it’s okay to focus on yourself just a little bit, where you don’t have to be a husband or a father,” explains Scott. “You still have to go to work the next day, but it’s okay to take a little time to refresh yourself right now.”
Keith and Scott host these groups through the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA) of Columbus as a way to promote positive mental health and give men the connection and skills they need to improve their circumstances.
As Keith shares, many of the men have never had an opportunity like this, and they’re learning things about themselves that they may not have otherwise discovered. One focus of the group has been to help the men find ways to channel their stress into new activities, to give them permission to comfortably do things like go fishing, take bike rides, and try yoga.
“One of the things we discuss that’s very specific to Black men is just the trauma of growing up how we grew up,” says Keith. “Many of us had to avoid streets because we see those guys out there, and we know we have to find an alternative route home because we don’t want to deal with it. It’s just all of those stressors that come with growing up underprivileged, underneath the poverty line. We’re used to it, and we’re taught to not complain. We’re taught to just keep our head down and get through it. So, having these conversations so that we can understand that what we’re carrying isn’t normal, and to realize that we’re not the only one dealing with it can really help.”
In reflecting on their June group meeting, Scott shares that one man thanked Scott for greeting him at the door. The man said it felt good to be acknowledged when entering the room. “Many men never hear ‘thank you’ and it’s just those releases that can be so eye-opening,” he says. “No wonder we have disparities. We’ve internalized our entire lives and we’re reliving ages 5, and 17, and 22. Even if you’re 35, you’re carrying that every day because it hasn’t been dealt with, and we need to learn it’s okay to deal with it.”
A valuable aspect of the group is the knowledge that is shared by different generations of men. Scott says some of the greatest wisdom comes from the oldest gentlemen in the room. They encourage the younger men to learn new skills. They talk about lessons they’ve learned in marriage and fatherhood.
“The fun part is the blending of those generations,” Keith adds. “We all are getting something from it, because even across generations, a lot of our childhoods mirror each other.”
Join the Real Men Real Talk, National Discussion with special guest, Grammy® Nominated R&B Soul singer Musiq Soulchild on July 14. This discussion will center around Black Men’s mental health and wellness. This will be an organic conversation where each man can share and also be heard. Click here to register.
AAMWA will also be hosting the National African American Male Wellness Walk on Saturday, August 13. Visit their website to learn more. MHAOhio celebrates Scott and Keith’s work in the community and all that AAMWA is doing to break stigma and bring people together in new and exciting ways.
