On this episode, it is a live recording of my Trappings of Masculinity Roundtable where I had the opportunity to discuss with five Black men from various sectors of youth work and community activism about the trappings of masculinity within the patriarchy and how they redefine it for themselves and the youth they serve.

Their Bios:

D.Ruff is a 2 time Boston Music Award Spoken Word Artist Of The Year nominee. D is a Roxbury-bred artist, performer, educator, artivist, and host. He co-hosted ”if you can Feel It, you can Speak It” Open Mic movement for 16 years. Most of his poems stem from personal experiences and observations, ranging from love and heartbreak to inequality and culture.

Kyle Umemba, cofounder of Let It Fly Classic and passionate community advocate. After 8 years at PwC, he transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship, focusing on creating opportunities for underserved communities through youth programs, scholarships, and mentorship.

Mitch Gayns is a 35 year old content creating contrarian from just north of Boston. Often described as "the guy you'd least want to argue with" he's doing his best these days to put his powers of persuasion (and occasional annoyance) to good use as a psuedo-parent to two teens, youth basketball referee and social media commentator from time to time.

Aljemall Peeples serves as the co-founder and director of Mike & Al's Basketball League and successfully continues the legacy established 25 years ago. Their organization transcends the typical scope of a basketball program; it functions as a violence prevention initiative designed to provide a constructive and positive outlet for youth between the ages of 10 and 21. He dedicates himself to ensuring the safety and protection of the young people in Grove Hall advocating for a cultural ethos that extends beyond athletics.

Thaddeus Miles is a community-centered leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing equity, wellness, and opportunity in the affordable housing sector. His work has always been rooted in this core belief: people thrive when they feel valued, connected and supported to live full and healthy lives. Additionally, he photographs Black life in moments of thriving and writes stories and heart whispers that honor the courage to keep going.

Send us Fan Mail

Host & Exec Producer: Dreme Flynt, M.Ed, MBA
Editor: Lila Woodbridge
http://www.lilawoodbridge.com/
Music Creators: Your Host Dreme & Seoul (@xSeoulMusicx)

Learn More About THE CHAIR:
Join THE CHAIR Community for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/

Join THE CHAIR Newsletter for FREE:
https://growinghands.wpengine.com/newsletter/

Commercial Credits:
Visionary: Your Host Dreme
Animator: Ahmad Merhi
https://amerhifilm.com/film
Voice Actor: D. Ruff (@d_ruff3), The Poet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAH2cqo64U

My Book:
From Nowhere & Everywhere: Captured Emotions of a Beautifully Broken Love Story
My explorations through poetry, diary entries and photography as a Black woman, an educator in Guangzhou, China.
Website - https://www.lulu.com/en...