It shouldn’t take a hashtag or a month on the calendar for Black men to be seen, heard, and held.

In this special Brave Voices in Education conversation, I’m joined by a powerful panel of brothers for a sacred check-in on Black men’s mental health, masculinity, and what it really means to stay alive and present in this season:

• Vladimir Louissaint – @vladlouissaintspeaks
• Bernard King – @krown_bgk
• James O’Neal – @mr.jamesoneal
• Joshua Warren – @coach_warren06
• Michael Teasley – @coach_teasley
• Hosted by: Craig Aarons-Martin – @iamcraigaaronsmartin

Together, we talk about:

• Why every month should be Black Men’s Mental Health Month
• Personal journeys with anger, depression, weight loss, chronic illness, and therapy
• Embracing authenticity as Black men (including queerness, softness, and sensitivity)
• Burnout in hustle culture and the pressure to be “everything for everybody”
• Unlearning harmful masculinity norms, family secrets, and “superhero” expectations
• Building real brotherhood: checking in, not performing; being vulnerable, not “weak”
• What we want Black boys, teens, and grown men to know: you are not alone

This is bigger than a panel. It’s a living room. A barbershop. A healing circle.

If you’ve ever been the “strong one,” the silent one, the funny one, the church kid, the coach, the teacher, the father, the son… this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen to Brave Voices in Education on all podcast platforms
📺 Subscribe here on YouTube for more honest conversations on joy, justice, and education
📲 Connect with our guests:
– @vladlouissaintspeaks
– @krown_bgk
– @mr.jamesoneal
– @coach_warren06
– @coach_teasley
– @iamcraigaaronsmartin

Call to action:
If something in this episode stirred you, don’t keep it to yourself.
• Share this with a brother who needs a gentle push to get help.
• Send that “just checking in” text.
• Make the therapy appointment.
• Take the nap.

Generate your own joy. Never go it alone. Get free. And always love your brave. 🖤

When culture meets code, innovation becomes liberation.
In this dynamic episode, Craig sits down with Victor “Coach” Hicks—educator, step coach, and founder of Coding with Culture—to talk about how HBCU pride, Black creativity, and culturally responsive teaching are transforming STEM education for the next generation.

They dive into:
💻 How coding and culture unlock identity and brilliance for Black and Brown youth
🤖 Why AI isn’t a cheating tool—it’s a tool for justice and equity
🎮 From MySpace to Minecraft: reclaiming tech spaces through Black joy
🏫 How educators can innovate their teaching in the age of AI
🌍 The diasporic genius that shaped ancient technology—and why it still matters now

“Once you connect access to our kids’ natural creativity and tenacity, the world is their oyster.” — Coach Hicks
“Computational thinking is ancient; the only thing that changed is the computer.”

🎧 Listen, follow, and share this episode with your village.
We are the culture that codes.

Connect with Coach Hicks:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram
🌐 codingwithculture.com

Follow Craig & Brave Voices:
🌍 bravevoicespod.com
📸 @iamcraigaaronsmartin

#BlackSTEM #CodingWithCulture #AIinEducation #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #HBCU #InnovationInEducation #BlackTech #BraveVoicesInEducation #BlackBoyJoy #EquityInAction

In this soulful and empowering conversation, Craig sits down with Dr. Tremain Holloway — a visionary school founder and lifelong educator — to talk about the journey from the hardwood to Harvard, the power of HBCU roots, and what it means to build schools that reflect community, culture, and possibility.

🗣️ Topics Covered:

• From athlete to educator: How one injury shaped a lifelong calling

• Founding Maritime High School and reimagining equity through innovation

• Balancing faith, family, and leadership

• Legacy, love, and being a good ancestor

• Hope as a framework: Helping Other People Evolve

💡 “People don’t change unless they feel something — that’s how systems change.”

🎧 Available wherever you stream podcasts
🌍 More: https://bravevoicespod.com

👇 Connect with the Tremain - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tremain-holloway/
LinkedIn:

👇 Follow the Host: Instagram: @iamcraigaaronsmartin
LinkedIn: Craig Aarons-Martin

#BraveVoicesInEducation #BlackBoyJoy #EducationalLeadership #HBCU #HarvardEducation #LiberatoryLeadership #EquityInAction #PodcastConversation