50 Things Black Men Need to Know to Excel

Young Black Men—Stand Up Tall and Be Amazing!

50 Tips to Help You Along Your Life’s Journey

Lemuel W. Watson Vidya Ravilochan, editor

Contents Introduction

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50 Things Black Men Need to Know to Excel

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Connecting with What Is Greater than Yourself

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Education Outside of School

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Education at School

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Self-Love and Identity

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Gender and Sexuality

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Interpersonal Relations

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Finding Your Place in the World

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Little Black Boy

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Summary

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Resources

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African Culture and History

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Mental Health Hotlines and Support Groups for Young People of Color

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Short Films and Videos About Mental Health and Resilience Among Young People of Color

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About the Author

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References

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Introduction I would like to start by saying that we all are survivors. We have the opportunity to fulfill our destinies, whatever they might be. There is no one way to be a male, to be trans, to be Black, or to be an American. We all have to learn how to define who we are for ourselves. You have to learn how to define yourself for yourself. It is your God-given right to be who you were meant to be, regardless of the pressure you feel to fit into a certain box, style, or character. Never let someone define you according to your gender, sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, or religion. If you learn nothing else from reading this book, I hope you will learn to prepare your heart, mind, and body to deal with all the stuff the world will throw at you as a young Black male who aspires to live his best life.

Some of the lessons in this book come from my own experience. Others have been passed down by my great-grandfathers, grandfathers, great-uncles, uncles, and father—as well as by many powerful women who came before me. When I was growing up, I observed older relatives and adults in the community and slowly came to realize that their words, actions, and beliefs about who they were and how they wanted to live were very powerful in their everyday lives. The Bible states it thus: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”1 In Buddhist practices, the “Right View” or “Right Understanding” teaches us that our views and beliefs are fundamental in determining our attitudes and actions, even though we may have only a vague idea of what these are.2 Our views shape our perceptions and establish our values, creating a framework through which we interpret the world and the meaning of our existence. In simple language, do not let your dreams, hopes, and wishes be defined by your parents’ pasts and histories, or by where you are currently or where you are from. You must see beyond your current circumstances and speak your future into existence just as your ancestors, who could not even imagine the life that you are living today, once did.

You have opportunities, you have chances, and you are not anyone’s victim. You have all the capacities that our ancestors did, if not more, to create a world better than the one you found. You do not need to be superhuman or to be another savior for the world. You cannot do all the good the world needs, but you certainly can make sure you do your best toward yourself and the world with what the Divine has bestowed upon you.

Please use this little book as a resource. Put it under your pillow to use when necessary. As you read it, remember the Serenity Prayer:3 God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.

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50 Things Black Men Need to Know to Excel Connecting with What Is Greater than Yourself Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind.

—James Baldwin4

1. Regardless of what the circumstances are in the world, we live in a time of great opportunity to define ourselves and our futures.

2. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Find a community of worship and praise. It’s important to belong to a group in which you can learn and be loved. For some people, God is the God of Abraham; for others, it’s Allah; for others, it’s Krishna. For those who have trouble believing in a supreme being of any sort, a “higher power” can even be the idea of human community; human society is made up of nearly 8 billion people, and it is bigger than you. No matter what higher power speaks to you, having faith in one will provide perspective and remind you that your failures, even if they seem great, are not the end of the world. It will also give you a reason to keep going when times are tough.

3. Spend time in nature. Nature will remind you that there is something larger than you, something that was here before you and will be here after you.

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4. Put down your technology and daydream! The important thing is to have dreams. Even if those dreams evolve over time, they give you a sense of who you are and what you value. They also provide trajectory to your life and actions. Stepping away from technology clears the cobwebs and makes it easier to determine who you are and what your dreams are. It’s easy to get caught in the mess of bad news, social media posts, and the various demands that people place upon you. But outside of all that noise, who are you? What gives you purpose?

5. Find someone that you can talk to about anything or find a few different individuals to talk about different aspects of your life. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with those you trust.

It will remind you that you are not alone.

6. Find someone to admire, someone you aspire to be like. That someone could be anyone.

Be curious about them. If it’s someone you know personally, engage with them. Ask them to tell you their stories and absorb the wisdom they have gathered over the course of their lives.

If it’s someone you don’t know personally, read everything you can about them. Engage with their work: read what they’ve written, watch their movies, listen to their music. Find aspects of their life to admire and emulate.

7. Surround yourself as much as possible with individuals who are wiser than you are, especially elders. You might have more access to information and data than they do, but the wise counsel they will provide is priceless.

8. Make time in your life to volunteer for any organization you feel strongly about in your neighborhood. If you don’t have a local charity, create one that is focused on helping the elderly or tutoring those younger than you. You will be gaining wisdom and experiences while learning about yourself and others.

9. There will be times in life when you feel small and insignificant, feelings will pass, but remember that within you lies all the strength of your ancestors and your loved ones.

You are never alone.

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Education Outside of School You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was Dostoevsky and Dickens who taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.

—James Baldwin5

10. Get a library card. If you don’t think of yourself as a reader, read magazines or comic books, but immerse yourself and imagine yourself in another world. Learning about lives that are different from your own will help you gain perspective and empathy. Educate yourself beyond schooling.

11. Be curious about history and read as much about people, places, and things as possible.

Make sure you read newspapers, social media, magazines, books, and journals that are written by a diverse set of individuals from all walks of life. Develop a critical mindset; don’t forget that just because something is written or published does not mean it is true or real. Read enough to be able to decipher and synthesize information so you can reach a reasonable conclusion on your own. As James Baldwin says, “To accept one’s past—one’s history—is not the same thing as drowning in it; it is learning how to use it. An invented past can never be used; it cracks and crumbles under the pressures of life like clay in a season of drought.”6

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12. Learn about how the economy works at a simple level. Understand how money works!

Know that you should never live above your means, and always practice saving a little of what you make for a rainy day. Don’t spend every dime you make. When you are able, open a savings account in your name.

13. Learn a second language and learn about the culture(s) associated with that language.

Individuals are constantly moving about on the planet, and this skill will benefit you tremendously. You will meet new people and potentially gain new opportunities with a second language under your belt.

14. If possible, find a part-time job when you are of the age to do so. Nothing is more rewarding than your first job and that first paycheck! Regardless of how small or insignificant the job might seem to you, don’t be ashamed to make an honest dollar. Every experience gives you wisdom on your journey to greatness.

15. Develop skills. Work with your hands. Be willing to ask people if you can help them with a task, or if you can watch them do something so that you can learn how to do it yourself.

Someone who can catch a fish and fry it will always have something to eat.

16. Develop your mind. A person with a developed mind can catch a fish, fry it, and sell it to someone else. No one can take your mind away from you.

17. Engage your creative side when possible: write, join a choir, dance, play an instrument of any kind, draw, or sketch. You don’t have to be great at it, but it helps to ease the mind.

Moreover, developing a creative practice will help you be more creative in other aspects of your life. You will start to see connections where others do not, and it will make you better at everything you do.

18. Don’t be afraid to try something different every day that gives you an opportunity to grow and develop. Work to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to learn about other things and people.

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Education at School The purpose of education . . . is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions.

—James Baldwin7

19. You’re not acting white or anti-Black if you read and are academically inclined; you are honoring your potential. Remember that your ancestors were brutally beaten and murdered for trying to learn the alphabet and to read. Acknowledge their sacrifice by picking up a book (or e-book, it doesn’t matter) and reading.

20. Do your homework; education is a gift. Make use of the opportunity you are given. I recognize that sometimes school feels like too much studying and not enough learning.

However, the skills you develop outside school can serve you inside school as well. If you are engaged in the world, you can take control of your education. If you don’t feel like you are learning, consider talking to your teachers about your concerns. Sometimes the first step is simply asking why we learn things a certain way. For example, maybe memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem doesn’t feel very exciting to you. But what might happen if you were to ask where the Pythagorean Theorem came from and how we know that it works for every right triangle? You might find that your teachers respond enthusiastically when you dig deeper.

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If you are unafraid to seek people out individually and press them on these issues, your education will feel more real, and you will start to feel inspired.

21. Avoid getting into an argument with a teacher. There are differences in power and wisdom. Remember that the experience you have with one teacher is temporary in the scheme of life. If you believe a teacher has been behaved inappropriately, find an adult you trust and share your concerns with them. Ask this individual to intervene on your behalf. You are not alone on this journey.

22. Read everything you can about life in college. It is never too early to begin planning for your future. Be open to both community colleges and four-year colleges. Although community colleges are often stigmatized, you might get a more individualized education at a community college than at a large university. Community colleges are also great places to build your confidence in courses you might feel doubtful about at an affordable price. And don’t hesitate to visit a college you’re considering! A visit can tell you a lot that you will not find about on paper—it will teach you about the culture and atmosphere and give you the opportunity to meet faculty you might be interested in working with. Lastly, in both high school and college, take advantage of any trips or free programs. If individuals come to your school or neighborhood speaking about educational opportunities, reach out to them, ask them questions, and get involved.

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Self-Love and Identity You have to decide who you are, and force the world to deal with you, not with its idea of you.

—James Baldwin8

23. Look in the mirror every day and practice looking into your eyes and saying to yourself, “You’re worthy, you’re loved, and you have a purpose.” If this is difficult, then start with your hands. Appreciate your hands and what they can do to build a better world, to write, and to provide care for yourself and others. Then build up to practicing affirmations in the mirror.

You are on a journey toward loving yourself and forgiving yourself for not being perfect. We all make mistakes.

24. You will receive advice, either directly from others or through societal messaging, about how to act and how to dress. Some of that advice might be useful—your behavior and presentation will affect others’ judgments of you—but above all, it is always your decision how you show up in the world. Ask yourself what sort of presentation aligns with your values and your sense of self. People will always be judging you, so make yourself happy with how you show up in the world.

25. Pay attention to your hygiene and health. Superficially, the first thing people will see about you is your smile and how you present yourself. But more importantly, personal hygiene is a form of self-care. Taking care of yourself today will preserve you so that you can take care of

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yourself tomorrow. You are on a journey of learning to take care of yourself; treat yourself with respect.

26. Never give in to peer pressure. You are uniquely gifted and only you can give the world your passion. So if you are different and don’t fit in with the crowd, embrace it and don’t fret.

Life is not easy; however, we all move through challenging phases, survive them, and continue to thrive in our lives. You too can do it.

27. Always try to smile and speak to others, even if they don’t respond. The good energy you bring to personal interactions will come back to you.

28. Develop a personal daily practice of giving thanks. Each morning, practice deep breathing, meditation, and praying. Repeat this during the day and in the evening when you retire to bed. Even when you are feeling your worst, there is always something to be grateful for, even if it is just the beautiful blue sky.

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Gender and Sexuality Everybody’s journey is individual. You don’t know with whom you’re going to fall in love. No one has a right to make your choice for you, or to penalize you for being in love.

—James Baldwin9

29. It is okay to love whomever you are attracted to, regardless of gender expression, race, or sexual orientation.

30. It doesn’t matter how many partners you have; this is not a contest. Love starts at home, with your respect for your parents, your brothers, and your sisters. Sex does not define your worth.

31. You are not defined by having a penis. You cannot be simply reduced to an organ that is often fetishized by others. Also, remember that having a penis does not necessarily equate to being a man, and vice versa; the sex you are assigned at birth may not match your gender identity.

No one else can define your gender, or sexuality.

32. What you enjoy doing in life does not define who you are attracted to sexually. There is no such thing as “women’s work” or “men’s work.” Whether you like to fix cars, garden, cook, or build computers, never be ashamed of what you enjoy doing.

33. Understand and forgive (if necessary) your fathers and grandfathers for what they taught you about masculinity. You must define it for yourself in this contemporary time.

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34. Sex is very personal and affects all of us in one aspect or another. Sex does not make one an adult or a man. Personally, I think it best to practice abstinence for as long as possible while you begin to form your own opinions about yourself, your sexual interests, your values, and sex in general. Don’t just listen to what your peers are saying; it may or may not be true, and their advice and experiences may or may not pertain to you. If you do choose to have sex, always practice responsible sex—which requires you to be mature enough to take responsibility for yourself by protecting yourself and others with the necessary tools. Always practice safe sex! Use protection always! You cannot be naive when it comes to sex and the possible outcomes.

35. To be mature enough to have responsible sex, one should understand that sex, respect, care, love, and trust should all go together. Sex is one of the most intimate experiences a person can have with another. It is spiritual as well as emotional and physical. Be careful who you choose to have sex with; it should matter to you.

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Interpersonal Relations People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.

—James Baldwin10

36. Treat others the way you want to be treated, and if you can’t help them, don’t hinder them.

37. Respect your elders. There is something to be learned from everyone. Even if you have more knowledge than someone who is older than you, you do not have more wisdom than they.

Your elders too have their own histories that inform the way they move through the world.

Acknowledge that history with grace and generosity.

38. Don’t assume that everyone who looks like you is for you, and don’t assume that everyone who doesn’t look like you is against you.

39. I like Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements:11 a. Be impeccable with your word. b. Don’t take anything personally. c. Don’t make assumptions. d. Always do your best.

40. Be aware of what your assumptions are and why you have them. What will being aware of your assumptions help you to do? For one thing, being aware of your own assumptions and examining their origins helps you to be more empathetic. Assumptions filter people out before we get a chance to know them; interrogating our assumptions makes us open to surprises. You might learn something from someone I had initially judged. Your implicit assumptions might even lead you to judge myself. For example, we are often taught is that being gay is bad.

Challenging that assumption can lead us to be more compassionate and understanding of

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others who are gay. Moreover, examining your assumptions can also lead you to be more accepting of yourself; for example, if you are gay, recognizing internalized homophobia can be a step toward self-love and self-acceptance.

41. Don’t act immediately out of anger. Otherwise, you might do or say something you can’t take back. If you’re angry, count to 10 and ask yourself how you feel. And if you’re still angry, ask, “Can this wait until tomorrow?” The following beautiful thought from Steven R. Covey sums up the philosophy of Holocaust survivor and psychotherapist Viktor Frankl: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our happiness.”12 42. Try not to do anything that might hinder your future, like stealing or getting arrested.

43. About the police. One never knows what a police officer is thinking or what is going on in their world. Always operate from a place of respect and orderliness. If you believe that a police officer has behaved inappropriately, remember their badge number and get help with filing a complaint. Remember it is better to be alive and unhurt physically and to get home than not to get home at all. I acknowledge that experiences with police could be very traumatic; therefore, you should always feel free to find someone you trust and just have them listen to your feelings.

Rev. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of the United Church of Christ in Chicago, shared a twominute video message entitled “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival if Stopped by the Police.”13 I share his rules below. ● Be polite and respectful when stopped by the police. Keep your mouth closed. ● Remember that your goal is to get home safely. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you and your parents have the right to file a formal complaint with your local police jurisdiction. ● Don’t, under any circumstances, get into an argument with the police. ● Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you in court. ● Always keep your hands in plain sight. Keep your hands out of your pockets. ● Avoid physical contact with the police. No sudden movements. ● Do not run, even if you are afraid. ● Even if you believe that you are innocent, do not resist arrest. ● Don’t make any statement about the incident until you are able to meet with a lawyer or public defender. ● Stay calm and remain in control. Watch your words, body language, and emotions.

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Finding Your Place in the World Once you realize that you can do something, it would be difficult to live with yourself if you didn’t do it.

—James Baldwin14

44. Blaze your own trail. Don’t let anyone put you in a box. People who blazed their own trail and changed the world include Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., James Brown, James Baldwin, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Colin Kaepernick, RuPaul, and many more. What these people had in common was that they broke out of the molds appointed to them by society and marched to the beat of their own drum. You are capable of that too.

45. Be an example for others. There are lots of job opportunities for Black men in nursing and teaching, and all individuals, especially children, need the experience of learning and being cared for by Black men in their lives. Children need to see young Black men early in their lives; hence, teaching can be a very rewarding profession. Teaching can also come with grants, loans, and social perks to assist you in the long run.

46. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be an athlete or entertainer; we need you in every profession. You have so much to offer the world.

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47. There is nothing wrong with you. People will dislike you for many reasons that have nothing to do with you or who you are. It is not your problem. Forget them. Be yourself and be the best self you can be.

48. You will have to work harder and be smarter than others in many situations due to your race and gender.

49. We will all make mistakes and fail often in life. Remember that failures are just opportunities to learn and grow. Failures help us to become stronger and wiser.

50. Most of all, expect amazing things from yourself and your life. The hopes, dreams, and prayers of previous generations are lifting you up and expecting great things.

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Little Black Boy

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, the world is at your feet.

Be careful and walk slowly—they await your defeat.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, your skin portrays enough for the world thinks you’re hard and cold and very tough.

Little Black Boy, Little Black boy, care with your smile, the world wonders and ponders, just amazed at your style.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, where are you to go?

When you look around, you’re lost; there is no one here, you know.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, living the American dream.

Everybody who looks at you, you know—they know—maybe not, is it what it seems?

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, you have a tough duty to consider your fathers, mothers, and children in everything that you do.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, having to work twice as hard, sometimes your spirit’s broken before you ever get a start.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, you better watch your back ‘cause there are demons crawling after ya.

Catch ‘em, break ‘em, cut ‘em in two with an ax.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, watch ya brothers on the side.

So they are climbing all kinds of ladders. Sometimes they have no pride.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, watch ya sistas on the right ‘cause sometimes they jump at everything, sometimes your neck they will bite.

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Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, talk about the white man.

Watch all around—you are in sinking sand.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, in the world of stars, don’t you ever forget your pride, your hope, and, no, not those scars.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, you got to lift your head.

Rise above the trash that surrounds you and focus on life instead.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, don’t forget to look back ‘cause everything before you was in the past, that’s right, no time for slack.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, the sun is in your face.

Open your eyes wide and march off toward its grace.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, run toward the light for in it you will find power, love, and might.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, run fast as you can from the dark. There are curses and magic, upon you they put their mark.

Little Black Boy, Little Black Boy, from earth and love you came.

Don’t you ever let any man or woman put upon you shame.15

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Summary This information-share is not a Bible, nor is it meant to be the only and final word of wisdom. Use it to reflect upon and to guide you when in doubt. Remember, life is about the struggles, the suffering, the pain we must go through to become our best selves. How we embrace these challenges, and the attitude we take into each day with us, matters. You are not alone in your life journey because there is always someone willing to help you. Please take advantage of the resources listed at the end of this book to help you should you need to do so.

You matter and you have a purpose; let nothing prevent you from being the best you that you were meant to be.

Lastly, I want to leave you with a birthday message I recently received. I include it here to serve as a reminder that the good we put into the world will come back to us. When we work hard to help others, someone will notice. You do not have to change the entire world; you can impact someone else’s life positively, and that is itself powerful.

Dear Mr. Lemuel, Virtue, by definition, is a trait or quality that is deemed to be good, and is valued as a foundational principle consisting of a behavior that exhibits high moral standards.

A virtuous man is a godly man; by demonstrating and constantly practicing nine virtues—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—he also lives with purpose.

Mr. Lemuel, over the years I have known you, I have watched you lay and be a solid foundation for anyone you love.

I have seen you cast the spirit of inspiration into anyone willing to accept it. You not only inspire elevation, but I have witnessed you provide the means to elevate!

God has placed a special calling on your life, and you are truly a blessing to all whom you come in contact with.

Happy birthday.

You truly do inspire me to do better and be better. You are a true representation of hard work, dedication, leadership, and love.

—K.J.

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Resources African Culture and History The information below is taken from the Brown Mamas website: (https://brownmamas.com/teach-africanhistory-culture-kids/).

Africa Access Review: http://africaaccessreview.org/ Ancient Africa for Kids: http://www.africa.mrdonn.org/ Black Men Heal: https://brownmamas.com/teach-african-history-culture-kids/ History.com – African Empires: https://www.history.com/news/7-influential-african-empires The Library of Congress – African-American Archives: https://www.loc.gov/collections/?fa=subject:african+american+history Mental Health Hotlines and Support Groups for Young People of Color Asian LifeNet (https://aaspe.net/): a 24-hour hotline available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean & Fujianese. Call 877-990-8585.

The Boys Town National Hotline (https://www.boystown.org/hotline/Pages/online-chattext.aspx): a 24/7 year-round hotline accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. It is for at-risk youth to reach out and discuss issues such as anger, depression, and bullying. Call 800-4483000.

DeQH (https://deqh.org): a hotline for Desi LGBTQ for South Asians. Call 908-367-3374.

LiveWell Teens (https://www.livewell-foundation.org/lwteens): free weekly mental wellness, depression, and anxiety peer support groups led by experts and educators to help teens ages 14–18 manage stress.

OK2Talk (https://ok2talk.org/): a moderated online community platform by the National Alliance on Mental Illness for teens to anonymously express their experiences of mental illness, recovery, or struggle. Posters can share stories, poems, quotes, lyrics and messages of support and hope.

The Steve Fund (https://stevefund.org): crisis support for young people of color. Text STEVE to 741741 to access a culturally trained crisis text line counselor.

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Teen Tribe (https://support.therapytribe.com/teen-support-group/): a social support group for teens who are dealing with mental health struggles and/or difficult family dynamics.

The Trevor Project for LGBTQ Youth: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.

WhatWorks4U (http://whatworks4u.org/): a mental health network for young people and parents of young people exchanging ideas on what works for treatment and care for their mental health issues.

Young People of Color @ 7cups (https://www.7cups.com/home/poc/#:~:text=The%20Young%20People%20of%20Color%20at %207%20Cups%20is%20supported,of%20young%20people%20of%20color): an online support community for young people of color. It includes daily check-ins, celebrations, icebreakers and Q&As. Your Life Your Voice: https://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/ways-to-get-help.aspx.

Here are just a few resources from the wealth of information on the Online Counseling Programs Website. Please see the website for more detailed information: https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/resources/mental-health-resources-students-of-color/.

Aakoma Project (https://aakomaproject.org/): a nonprofit that advances the mental health needs of adolescents of color and their families, raising awareness about mental health stigmas, and facilitating conversations about mental illness.

Asian Mental Health Collective (https://www.asianmhc.org/): an organization helping to normalize and make mental health care more accessible for the Asian community, where mental health struggles are often invalidated or unaddressed.

Black Girls Smile (https://www.blackgirlssmile.org/): an organization focused on the mental wellness of Black females that encourages positive mental health education. It offers mental health awareness workshops for different age groups and promotes accessibility to therapists of color for Black women and girls.

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (https://borislhensonfoundation.org/): a nonprofit founded by Taraji P. Henson that advances the mental health needs of Black communities. The organization offers scholarships to Black students seeking careers in the mental health field, delivers mental health services and programs to students in urban schools, and spreads awareness about mental health wellness.

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Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute (https://www.cnay.org/): a national organization that advocates for and promotes the mental well-being of Native American youth through community-driven solutions with an emphasis on preventing youth suicide. The organization specializes in youth engagement and leadership development, resource exchanges, and policy advocacy.

Circles of Care (https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/circles-care): a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) three-year grant program geared toward American Indian and Alaska Native communities. It helps children with severe emotional disturbances and their families obtain funding for tribal communities to improve youth mental health and provide a community-based support system.

Concerned Black Men of America (http://cbmnational.org/): an organization connecting children of color to mental health resources and role models. The organization has parent-focused programs on career development and adult literacy.

Lee Thompson Young Foundation (https://www.ltyfoundation.org/): an advocacy organization focused on holistic health treatments for mental illness and mental health literacy. The organization has a youth mental health first aid program dedicated to adolescent mental health and substance use.

Life is Precious (https://comunilife.org/lip): a suicide prevention program for Latinx girls that provides academic support, art therapies, and mental health and wellness activities.

Loveland Foundation (https://thelovelandfoundation.org/): an organization focused on the mental health and well-being of Black women and girls. It provides collaborative opportunities and initiatives for healing and empowerment, such as therapy funds, fellowships and listening tours.

National Black Child Development Institute (https://www.nbcdi.org/who-we-are): a national organization dedicated to the well-being of Black children that works with leaders and policymakers on issues such as education, health, and healthcare accessibility.

Reclaim (https://www.reclaim.care/): an organization dedicated to making mental health support and care more accessible and culturally competent for queer and trans youth ages 12–16.

Short Films and Videos About Mental Health and Resilience Among Young People of Color Break the Stigma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49mfPFTZsHs): an animated video for young people by the Children’s Hospital Colorado about why it’s important to fight the stigma of mental illness.

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Easy Anxiety (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGBPrlPkx3w): a short film about a Black girl’s personal journey in mental health, anxiety, and self-love.

The Kids Are Not Alright: The Mental Health Crisis Affecting Latina Teens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bovfmAZZMc): a Vice documentary exploring how Latinx adolescent girls have disproportionately high rates of mental health struggles and suicide attempts.

More than a Moment: A Conversation with BIPOC Student Mental Health Leaders (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVsk5pAZBdU&feature=youtu.be): an hour-long video conference by Active Minds featuring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) teens and young adults who aim to raise awareness of mental health issues in their communities.

Teen Affirmations For Living Your Best Life and Feeling Great (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGNCv0kUQuQ&feature=emb_title): a five-minute video produced by SuccessfulBlackParenting.com aimed at uplifting Black adolescents through affirmations and advice.

We All Have Mental Health (http://youtube.com/watch?v=DxIDKZHW3-E): an animated video for young people (ages 11–14) discussing mental health struggles and care.

Why Mindfulness Is a Superpower: An Animation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6T02g5hnT4): an animated video about mindfulness and well-being for young people.

You Are Not Alone (https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/youth-mental-health/): PBS videos on youth mental health, exploring depression, anxiety and stress for kids and teens.

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About the Author Lemuel W. Watson is Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs; Provost Professor of School of Education; Faculty Affiliate in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Gender Studies; Co-Director of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention; and Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington. At Kinsey, he helps oversee efforts to generate collaborative education, research, and fundraising related to LGBTQ+ lives, and researches LGBTQ+ youth mental health as part of the partnership between Kinsey and the Trevor Project, the world’s leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth. Watson is also a Senior Scholar Fellow at the Antioch Graduate School of Leadership and Change and Research Fellow at the Center for Comparative & International Education at the Research Institute of Higher Education at Yunnan University. Formerly, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Belarus; the founding Executive Director of the Center for P-20 Engagement and Dean of the College of Education at Northern Illinois University; and Distinguished Professor, Dean Emeritus; and Founding Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Higher Education at the University of South Carolina.

A seasoned leader whose career spans across various industries—including education and entrepreneurship, both in the private and nonprofit sectors—Watson has been recognized as an authority on the challenges facing underrepresented populations. He has secured grants totaling more than $13.5 million in research funding, and has written books, monographs, and articles related to research on leadership, underrepresented populations, LGBTQ+ issues, public policy, and human development. He is deeply engaged with the community as a personal and professional advocate through his commitments to numerous local and international arts, community, educational, and professional boards. He has worked as a consultant on public policy and talent management issues around the world, and currently focuses on mindful leadership and talent management to enhance work and learning environments.

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References Mark 11:23, The New King James Version of the Bible.

See, for example, Tilmann Vetter, “The Noble Eightfold Path,” ch. 3 of The Ideas and Meditative Practices of Early Buddhism (Leiden: Brill, 1988), pp. 11–3.

3 The Serenity Prayer was written by Reinhold Niebur for a sermon in 1943. He published a version of the prayer in a magazine in 1951. The version I use here is the one that has been adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous (see “The Elusive Origins of the Serenity Prayer,” Box 459: News and Notes from the General Service Office of AA 38:4 [1992]).

4 James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk (New York: Vintage International, 2006), p. 99.

5 Baldwin, “Telling Talk from a Negro Writer: James Baldwin Talks Tough—and Eloquently—to Both Whites and Negroes about the ‘Doom and Glory’ of Self-Knowledge and Relationships Between the Races,” interview by Jane Howard, Life 54:21 (1963), p. 89.

6 Baldwin, “Down at the Cross: Letter from a Region in My Mind,” in The Fire Next Time (New York: Modern Library, 1995), pp. 80–1.

7 Baldwin, “A Talk to Teachers,” in The Price of the Ticket: Collected Nonfiction 1958–1985 (New York: St. Martin’s/Marek, 1985), p. 82.

8 Baldwin, “An Interview with James Baldwin: Almanac, WFMT, Chicago, December 29, 1961,” interview by Studs Terkel, in The Last Interview and Other Conversations (New York: Melville House, 2014), p. 10.

9 Baldwin, “Looking Towards the Eighties,” interview by Kalamu ya Salaam, in Conversations with James Baldwin, ed. Fred R. Standley and Louis H. Pratt (Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1989), p. 184.

10 Baldwin, No Name in the Street (New York, Vintage International, 2007), p. 192.

11 Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills, chs. 2–5 of The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (San Rafael, CA: Amber-Allen Publishing, 1997), pp. 25–92.

12 Steven R. Covey, “Foreword,” in Alex Pattakos, Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl’s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work, 2nd rev. ed. (Oakland: Berrett-Koehler, 2010), p. vi. For Frankl’s work, see Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning (New York: Pocket Books, 1984).

13 TRINITYCHGO, “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival,” January 15, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqJ-psD9vJw. 14 Baldwin, “The Art of Fiction No. 78,” interview by Jordan Elgrably, The Paris Review 91 (1984), https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/2994/the-art-of-fiction-no-78-james-baldwin.

15 Lemuel W. Watson, “Little Black Boy,” in Everyone Here is Something Else . . . : Poems and Musings (Bloomington, IN: Xlibris, 2013), pp. 21–3.

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George Washington Carver Artist, Chemist, Agronomist, Innovator, Professor, Philanthropist, and Director