Jamar Thrasher
Harrisburg Buzz
Men Raising Black Boys Conference Establishes Its Roots in Harrisburg
Black Boy Joy. Within the past few years, that slogan has been synonymous with smiling grins on black boys. Joy is a pleasure that all have been defined to be the exquisite wonders of the world.
“Black folks, as we all know, are not a monolith,” said Zakia Williams, co- founder of Philadelphia-based Black Men Heal. “Men and boys tend to get their knowledge from wanting to do things with other men and boys.”
That knowledge comes in many environments and with diverse information. Spaces for joy, in addition to pain are important, Williams added. Black Men Heal provides free mental health services to Black men. The organization also provides free services to the women in Black men’s lives.
While Black Boy Joy does exist, there are a mountain of issues that impact the development of Black boys. Providing the necessary resources to fathers of Black boys to establish that joy is one of the many reasons the inaugural Men Raising Black Boys (stylized as “MR. BB”) conference was hosted in Harrisburg. The one-day event was hosted at Harrisburg University. It is also the brainchild of Corey Dupree, a servant leader and founder of Layers of Black History.
The MR. BB Conference featured panelists, including former Penn State and NFL Defensive Lineman, Jordan Hill, Dr. Tony Keith and the Ed Emcee Academy, Alphonso Nathan LPC aka “Phonz the Therapist,” Former Akron and Pittsburgh Running Back, and Jawon Chisholm.
The event also included moments where participants had to share moments of vulnerability.
Marcus Smith II, a former NFL player and an advocate for mental health, shared a riveting story about his experience contemplating suicide.
The event featured resources for all men who are raising black boys. This demographic of father figures could include coaches, uncles, grandfathers, in addition to biological fathers.
The event is the brainchild of Corey Dupree. One thing Williams noted is that she wished her father would have had a conference like MR. BB. She did note that Black Boy Joy is around her, and she sees it in her son, “I’m so grateful that I did not push him to do what I wanted him to do.”
Author Note: I briefly attended and volunteered at the event.
Leave a Reply