Author and Program Manager in the Community Measurement and Innovation Hub at OBCC Max Diego Hunter led the latest edition of the OBCC Town Hall Series focusing on Mental Health in men and boys in the community. The discussion was based around Hunter’s book ‘Speech Is My Hammer: Black Male Literacy Narratives in the Age of Hip-Hop, to Black Masculinity’ which focuses on issues facing Black males and cultural norms which affect mental health.

“What's become apparent to me is that the burden of trying to get masculinity right, as you come of age, has consequences,” Hunter said. “It truly does carry real physical and mental health consequences.”

The panel at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic Othello featured speakers Jeffery Greene, Dr. James P. Norris, Chukundi Salisbury, Drissa Sangare and Moses Sun.

Artist Moses Sun said he’s been working with Hunter for years and that it’s important to him to be able to come speak about his experiences.

“It’s been a catalyst to talk about deeper issues within Black masculinity, and also around intellectualism and literacy,” Moses Sun said. “I want people to know that there are alternative and that mental health is not a stigma.

Health and Wellness Advocate Chukundi Salisbury was grateful to be included as the host of the event.

“I’m interested in bringing people to hear about not only physical health but also mental health. When they asked me to come today, I spread the word to my network and I’m hoping to learn some things myself as well,” Salisbury said.

The intersectionality between mental health and masculinity is an issue which all the panelists care deeply about, and one which they feel should be continued to be discussed.

“We tend to focus on Black males in a reactive way when there’s a so-called crisis,” Hunter said. "I want people to know that I’m here for them before that happens. I know what the issues are in society with mental health, I know that the incidents of bad outcomes are going up, and so I’m here for the kids and also the healthcare providers.”