S3E4: New Mental Health Models for All Generations of Black Men Featuring Douglas Reed & Reginald A. Howard

Couched in Color

In Episode 4, Dr. Alfiee speaks with two “brothers” serving the Black Men Heal mission, expanding the non-profit’s free online therapy out into the world with an ongoing tour in various cities across the U.S.

The two guests not only work for Black Men Heal, but they each have used the organization’s free therapy for themselves.

Guest Doug McNeill Reed, Director of Partnerships, openly shares his healing journey after divorces, and tragically losing his father at age 12. Guest Reginald A. Howard, Senior Program Coordinator, who attempted suicide multiple times, bravely shares an early life experience related to an armed robbery. Reginald wrote an inspiring book called Suffering into Success: A Paradigm Shift Of Struggle To Achieve Happiness. (https://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Into-Success-Paradigm-Happiness-ebook/dp/B07L1XYHF).

Both are passionate about using their lives to mentor others, and serving communities, both virtually Sundays through Black Men Heal’s “King’s Corner” Zoom sessions started two years ago, and now physically through the tour. The next is Aug. 20th in Houston and then Sept. 24th in Chicago (subject to change due to pandemic.)

One of the key topics that consistently came up in the virtual meetings was that “Black men need hugs.” Reginald discusses how lack of affection as a young boy still challenges him now with his own children, to which Dr. Alfiee said how inspirational his transparency will be for others.

Hence, the tour has been named “King’s Corner–Black Men Need Hugs.” The community outreach effort is sending messages of hope, connection and vulnerability. Free food, massages, and mindfulness teachings are also part of the tour.

Here’s a clip describing the recent stop in Atlanta, Aug.6th, 2022.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wAdd1db2Fk

The beginnings:

Reginald: He went for free therapy from Black Men Heal in 2018, after multitude suicide attempts, and then after that experience, he was in horrible car accident. The first call he got in the hospital was from the therapist from Black Men Heal. He later became an advocate for mental health.

“I went back to the organization that served me and that’s how I became part of the (Black Men Heal) team,” Reginald shares.

Douglas: He has worked in prisons for 25 years, had been in the military, and wanted to try free therapy, which he said helped him release a lot of baggage and that he now feels blessed by the experience. “Through my lived experiences, I just tell the story, and I try to be unapologetic, as I’ve heard you say Dr. Alfiee.”

Dr. Alfiee: “I always want for us to have a way to identify us as collective…feel stronger when all of us who I identify as people of color can rise together.”

–Marginalized identity: “I’m not centered in the mainstream unless I center myself.”

–”Not only is it OK to ask for help, but to give them help that reflects them (the Black male).”

Mission/Vision of Black Men Heal:

Doug: “Sensitive to my needs, talking to therapist, and working those things out, released so much, and so free, and understanding vulnerability, just want to be open, no restrictions…she (the founder, Tasnim Sulaiman, a licensed professional counselor) created a space for he Black man to come in and feel comfortable sharing our thoughts, views and just being vulnerable.”

Reginald: “ We got the connection of people showing up because they feel King’s Corner is for them, and men come into the space and they see us, and feel this is for me, this is a home I can come to, and I can get support when needed.”

More on King’s Corner:

King’s Corner is a free weekly virtual mental health support group that has serviced over 2000 men.

The George Floyd incident fueled the creation of the online event. Requests from all over the world for free therapy started coming in.

Doug: “We called it a virtual free space, psycho-education. Let’s come up with some subjects that affect Black men…overwhelming response…to learn about depression, anxiety and things that affect us like mass incarceration, pornography, divorce and infidelity.”

–“One of the beauties about this is I’m a baby boomer, and Reg is a millennial. You get two sides.”

Reginald:”There’s healing happening on this Corner and that’s what we say to people every week.”

–Doug: “When a man starts to heal himself he needs a spiritual foundation.”

–A DJ friend told him to “account for the details”:

“I know we can account for details for the bad things we did, but let’s start making more accountability for the good things we did.”

Dr. Alfiee: “It’s so healing for a Black man to say, yes, I made some mistakes, but I’m a work in progress too…so healing for women to hear that from them, too.”

Reginald: Discusses an award given every year called the MVB–the most vulnerable brother, and who got it and why.

Dr. Alfiee: “What you’re doing is ministry…you’re giving them living water, for wherever they are in the moment, this is the water you need.”

Reginald: A new initiative on Gun Violence Group Therapy is discussed.

“From listening to both of you, young people will see there is another way…and part of that is being vulnerable to a point…and understand you have a range of emotions, because you’re supposed to experience a range of emotions…you can't be in one place all the time.”

Reginald: “Every time you want to get to someplace great, there is going to be some turbulence. What you’re going through is for a greater purpose. If you can embrace that, the outcome should be worth it.”

Black Men Heal:

https://blackmenheal.org

Black Men Heal is a grassroots nonprofit organization, established in 2018, as a solution to a broken inequitable mental health care system that does not center the needs of marginalized Black and Brown Communities.

It focuses on the mental health needs of Black men because of the lack of resources attending solely to this population. The mission is to provide mental health treatment, education, and resources to men of color–and to help increase the likelihood that Black men will self-initiate treatment for mental health struggles.

Douglas McNeill Reed, Director of Partnerships

Doug, (affectionately known as DReed), is a military veteran and dedicated social justice/mental health advocate.

He has an expansive career that includes experience in law enforcement, organizational management, government contracts, and working toward achieving greater diversity and equity within our armed forces. In addition to being a crucial part of Black Men Heal's non-profit development.

Doug was the 2nd Vice President, for the Partnership for Youth, a nonprofit organization focusing on instilling positive value in youth during a 3-day paramilitary camp and seminar. The organization conducted camps three times a year for 200 inner city youth from Camden, NJ.

He served as an equal Opportunity Representative during his last active-duty station in Ft. Dix, NJ. As non-commissioned officer, Douglas was trained to report, instruct, and know the legal policy of discriminatory behavior in the armed forces.

He taught diversity for more than 600 staff members and helped train employees, from executives to staff members, how to better interact with others of different backgrounds.

Doug’s positive and charismatic energy is a strong influence and motivational tool to those who engage with his passion and intellect. His dynamic speaking and presenting skills have been featured on panels alongside notable mental health advocates and experts such as Charlamagne Tha God, Dr. Alfiee, and former NFL players Jay Barnettt, and Ryan Mundy.

Follow Douglas:

https://linktr.ee/Douglasmreed

https://www.instagram.com/douglas_mreed/

Reginald A. Howard, Senior Program Coordinator

Reginald A. Howard is a multiple suicide attempt survivor turned mental health activist.

Reggie’s dedication to healing provoked him to start the Black Mental Health Podcast which currently has 50,000 downloads and earned media attention from the Philadelphia Tribune, Women’s Health Magazine, and various other media outlets.

Reg’s commitment to seeing improvement in the health care system led him to become a Community Consultant with the Collaborative Opportunities to Advance Community Health (COACH) Trauma-Informed Healing – Centered Practices Advisory Group from the Health Care Improvement Foundation.

His passion for mental health earned credentials from the Pennsylvania Certification Board as a Community Health Worker and Certified Peer Specialist. He serves on many boards including the board of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Drexel University and the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

Reg has presented to a diversity of audiences including the City of Philadelphia, Rotary Clubs, Philadelphia Prison System Training Academy, the Philadelphia Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training and multiple engagements with the School District of Philadelphia. He currently attends Drexel University, intending to become a psychiatrist. He uses his life experiences to ignite, inspire and empower others to prioritize their mental health.

Follow Reginald:

Website: https://reginaldahoward.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginaldahoward/

Podcast: https://blackmentalhealthpodcast.libsyn.com/black-mental-health-podcast-053-prison-reform-mental-wellness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackmenheal/

Follow Dr. Alfiee:

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTKmYKi24I

Season 3 Produced By: https://socialchameleon.us

More Couched in Color: https://dralfiee.com/podcast

Music Produced by: Mark “King” Batson (Superproducer of your favorite artists and Grammy award-winner for albums with Eminem and Beyoncé)