Last April, in a Washington Post article titled, “Black men face many more health hurdles. An expert discusses why,” social epidemiologist Roland Thorpe Jr., the principal investigator of the Black Men’s Health Project, an initiative geared toward understanding and finding solutions to the unique wellness challenges Black men face, stated:
“Black men are hidden in plain sight. I mean, we have the worst health profile. We have premature mortality, which means we die before the overwhelming majority of men do. We’re often in the media either being attacked by the police, or enduring other experiences from structural racism. There’s very little support that’s been given. The evidence is all in front of us, but there seems to be no particular people calling it out or moving to drive toward solutions.”
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But while the medical community at large may struggle to prioritize Black men’s health, increasingly psychologists, fitness experts, motivational coaches, and the like have made Black men’s wellbeing their passion on local and national levels by harnessing the power of social media. Here we’ve rounded up a list of 14 such individuals you should follow to enhance your overall wellness in the new year.
1. Darian Hall
Darian Hall (@darian.d.hall) is the co-founder of Heal Haus, a Brooklyn wellness studio designed to be an inclusive space to facilitate holistic healing. In addition to providing a variety of treatment modalities in person such as yoga, meditation and sound baths, Heal Haus’s diverse practitioners also offer live online sessions.
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2. Dr. Jay Barnett
Family therapist Dr. Jay Barnett (@kingjaybarnett) is a suicide survivor and creator of Just Heal Bro, a platform dedicated to Black men’s healing and mental and emotional development.
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3. DeAndre Sinette
Yoga coach DeAndre Sinette (@mindfuldeandre) is a “teacher of softness and strength” who pairs mindfulness and movement to help individuals change broken patterns and live better.
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4. Etienne Maurice
Far more than the son of actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, Etienne Maurice is the founder and CEO of WalkGoodLA, a community launched in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and national racial justice uprisings to combat the negative effects of isolation on mental health. WalkGood hosts hikes, run clubs, guided meditations, and yoga classes to bring people together in their shared goal of healing and wellness.
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5. Steven M. Hughes
Financial therapist and reiki master Steven M. Hughes (@stevenmhughes) helps individuals remedy their relationship with money. In addition to sharing affirmations and advice on healing from financial trauma, he offers one-on-one money reiki sessions to assist in channeling positive energy toward financial wellness.
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6. Derick Grant
As his Instagram bio states, Derick Grant (@Dgmindset) is all about “Helping you heal your past.” The former pro athlete’s content centers on how one’s mindset is the greatest deciding factor in their personal growth and offers advice on how to develop and maintain a strong mental outlook.
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7. Nelson ZêPequéno
Instillation artist Nelson ZêPequéno (@zznelsonzz) not only helps clients create eco-friendly creative productions, he’s also the founder of Black Men With Gardens, an online community showcasing Black men, fathers, and sons harnessing the healing powers of plants and nature.
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8. JahSun
JahSun (@faristudiosart) is an empowerment coach that offers one-one-one mentoring and mini-courses on everything from establishing healthy boundaries to conditioning your body to be a better lover. He’s also known for his 30-day tantra challenge to help individuals unlock new levels of sexual discipline, pleasure and intimacy.
9. Stic
Through what he deems “Fit Hop,” Dead Prez alum and author of “The 5 Principles,” Stic (@Stic) shows his followers how movement, meditation, and breath work can help reset the nervous system and lead to greater health and knowledge of self. He also co-hosts the RBG Fit Club podcast about healthy living with his wife, nutritionist Afya Ibomu.
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10. Dr. Corey Emanuel
Through his work, psychologist Dr. Corey Emanuel (@coreyemanuel) helps individuals navigate the complexities of digital and social media. He’s also the founder of Men Talking Shift, a digital community that engages men in conversations around vulnerability, trauma, and healing.
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11. Brenten Jomar
As the founder of Black Boy Joy Fest, Brenten Jomar (@brentenjomar) creates spaces for Black men to discuss their healing journeys and engage in wellness practices such as the I See You Bro roundtable discussion series and yoga classes for men of color.
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12. Dr. Justin S. Hopkins
Clinical psychologist Dr. Justin S. Hopkins (@drjshopkins) is the Founder of Hopkins Behavioral Health and a specialist in culturally informed individual and couples therapy whose work centers on Black liberation and the effects of racial trauma on mental health.
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13. Joseph V. Moore Jr.
Artivist (artist/activist) Joseph V. Moore (@sirm00re) is a vegan and plant based chef as well as a wellness advocate who inspires his followers not only through the healthy dishes he creates but the words of affirmation and mindfulness prompts he shares to help them become their best selves.
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14. Keir Gaines
Licensed therapist and proud #GirlDad Keir Gaines (@keirgaines) uses humor and his own personal life and family experiences to help his followers gain new perspectives to aid in their personal growth.
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