WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Black Men’s Locker, an international mentoring group that started in Wichita, is hosting their Rise of the 300 Black Men Conference highlighting mental health issues in the African American community.
This three-day event is to help African American men focus on mental health with activities and training.
“So we wanted to create an event where Black men can come together from all walks of life and learn about mental health,” said Tyrice Lollis, co-founder of Black Men’s Locker.
The group which started with 53 men around the area, has quickly expanded to more than 11,000 men worldwide. Members are located in Wichita, Atlanta, California, The United Kingdom and South Africa.
Co-founder, Norris Henderson, said Black Men’s Locker was created to give Black men a safe space to relate to each other and create professional bonds with successful men around the area.
“We don’t really talk about our issue,” Henderson said. “Because we really don’t allow ourselves to show vulnerability. We don’t allow ourselves to show you know, emotions and things like that. We tend to just keep a lot of things inside.”
Mental health training will not be the only lesson men will learn at this training. The conference will also host panels and networking opportunities, as well as open discussions about financial literacy and parenthood.
“We can peak to those fathers and have conversations with young men who are fathers,” said Terry Terrell, co-founder of Black Men’s Locker. “We want to give them the right tools to help put them in the right places and be successful.”
Another goal is to inspire Black men to be strong leaders in their community.
“I’m firmly convinced that strong Black men create strong Black families,” said Pastor William Vann, senior pastor of Iasis Christian Center. “And strong Black families create strong communities”
This event kicks off Friday night with a mixer and will conclude Sunday.
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