Greetings everyone,
The first Monday of every month, I produce Black male workshops in Brooklyn. Hosted at Brown Memorial Baptist Church, our workshops center on the development and empowerment of Black men. Topics explored include addressing physical, mental and spiritual health; ending violence against women and girls; how to become a mentor; and understanding the history and current state of Hip-hop.
Our latest workshop, Monday, August 4, was phenomenal. Women and men filled the space and eagerly stood in applause as Rev. Iyanla Vanzant, New York Times bestselling author walked into the room. As she walked among the crowd, dressed in all white, she immediately began to speak words of prayer and affirmation. She shouted, “Hallelujah! and simply said, “Let’s rejoice.”
As God is my witness, the room and its members were instantly transformed.
The church was packed with women and men seeking guidance on healthier and positive relationships with one another. Rev. Vanzant shared practical solutions to address many common relationship problems. She told us that when people tend to control, it is because they don’t feel safe. She further shared that as men, we should ask our partners, “What can I do to make you feel safe right now?”
I noticed women and men taking careful notes as Rev. 
Vanzant warned that we are the furthest away from our true purpose. She assured us that this isn’t new age commentary. She affirmed, however, that these are the ways of knowing of our ancestors, a wisdom that has always lived in us.
That night, I saw a man unafraid to reveal the problems of his troubled marriage. He was craving a listening ear. I saw a woman surrendering to a tear, unafraid to allow it to run down her right cheek in front of everyone. She was craving a safe space.
I asked myself, what happened to the time when we could be unapologetic about our humanity? What happened to the days we could be unafraid about our imperfection? Our community is craving healing and acceptance. I want badly to become an anchor to this craving. This is why I’m running for Congress.
Our community is tainted with abandonment and fear. HIV/AIDS, the housing crisis, joblessness and political corruption have blemished our unity and some where along the way we’ve stopped being in this together. This past Monday was one example of our greatest strength. Before the close of the program, Rev. Vanzant asked that we hold hands in prayer and give a hug to the person on our right and our left. We are were all family, even if just for a moment.
I’m interested in sustaining this moment. The coming together of our community is our greatest strength.
Together, we can WIN!