THE GOLDEN RHINOS AT THE BLACK JOY PARADE 2020

The Golden Rhinos led the charge for healthy manhood at the 2020 Black Joy Parade in Oakland, CA.

A NEW COMMUNITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH IS HERE!

The Golden Rhinos is a community for Black men in corporate America who value optimal mental health and emotional well-being.

Together, we led the charge for healthy manhood at the 2020 Black Joy Parade in Oakland, facilitating realtime mental health practices for the crowd.

"Get ready!" we'd shout on the bullhorn. Our legs began pumping rapidly on both sides, powering up for the next charge.

We stood strong in two columns, the entire street ahead of us. A beautiful Black crowd on both sides of us.

we would yell, "Chaaaaaaarrrrrrgggee" and we ran forward, the crowd erupting in cheers!

Sprinting, running, jumping, laughing, smiling, high-fiving and engaging with the joyful crowd.

Reaching our destination we'd yell, "OAKLAND ARE YOU READY!?"They responded and we led them in realtime exercises for emotional literacy, deep breathing, and silent meditation.

Honestly, it was an amazing sight and feeling. But let the crowd tell it. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

OUR CROWD TESTIMONIALS

“Love this Bro!”

"Absolutely Amazing! This gave me chills."

"Keep it going. You all are wonderful role models and advocates."

"Fantastic! I'm proud of your stepping out there and a promoting a mindset change in, black men, seeking help. What powerful image of strength!!! Kudos!"

"Thanks for bringing the issue to the forefront. God knows (we as) Black men need to address the subject of Mental Health."

"Thanks for bringing the issue to the forefront."

"Incredible group of inspirational men."

“On a personal note, I had to consciously hold back tears of gratitude when I began to read and watch the content for Golden Rhinos. Seeing such solidarity amongst and between Black Men bore such a felt-sense of inspiration that the mere presence of the content made me physically pause to experience an overwhelm of joy, grace, and peace. May the quality of this initiative reign supreme and set a standard for Black Male health and well-being. Ashe-O.” -Melvin Smallwood

ADVANCED MEN'S WORK - STAGE 3.0

Who am I? I'm an entrepreneur, healer, and proud Afro-Scotsman from the SF Bay Area. I grew up integrating cultures from the Black and White races, alongside the Buddhist community I grew up in.

My father, a spiritual Black man and business owner, introduced me to the marriage of entrepreneurialism and giving back to the Black community at the same time. He operated a clean and sober night club called J-Love's that was epic back in the 1990's. While his pursuits at times fell short of his lofty aims, his mind stayed on Black community uplift throughout his working life.

Reviewing my own journey through men's work, I've experienced three stages. By the way, "men's work" often refers to a specific brand of mental and emotional healing and psychological development initiatives starting around the 1980's as a positive response to second wave feminism.

As women advanced in the workplace, women-led divorces were on the rise, the culture became more secularized, and psychotherapeutic principles became more widespread... men began supporting one another in acquiring the mental and emotional skills needed for authentic relationships, meaningful work, personal healing, and self-actualization.

Reviewing my own journey through men's work, I've observed three stages.

Stage 1.0 of men's work, personal transformation.

Stage 2.0 of men's work, transforming other men.

Stage 3.0 of men's work, transforming communities.

Stage 1.0. There are tons of men seeking personal transformation that have not been familiarized with men's work, who could be positively transformed by it. No shortage for Stage 1.0.

Stage 2.0 often consists of male therapists who have been exposed to men's work frameworks, or who simply see the value in modeling authentic interactions with male clients that help them heal and mature. Stage 2 also consists of the men's orgs that came into existence during the 1980's-90's, and our newer men's work orgs emerging today.

Stage 3.0 is something we could see more of in society, but it's a different kind of men's work. It's about bringing the men's work we do in our workshop and retreat settings into our communities themselves.

Whether it's on social media or in person, having men from stage 1.0 + 2.0 role modeling what healthy manhood practices and interactions look like can affirm this needed position in society.

Strong, grounded men as healers. Guides of mental and emotional well-being for ourselves and our communities.

Stage 3.0 is a whole other level of men's work because it requires a translation of what happens in stages 1.0 + 2.0 which are focused solely on men, to 3.0 which is now focused on community development.

Without proper translation, stage 1.0 + 2.0 men's work can appear as esoteric, slightly suspicious, or confusing to the public.

While many of these Golden Rhinos have been on their own empowerment and healing journeys, and have also held that space for other men, the Black Joy Parade gave us a venue to cement this final piece, the communal engagement, the healthy role modeling of these values, and the celebratory acknowledgement for the position we hold on behalf of ourselves and the larger community.

Through this experience we realized that Black History Month is not only a time to remember Black leaders and historical events, but a highlighted time to make Black history for future generations to be proud of.

Thanks again Golden Rhinos and the Black Joy Parade for this awesome event. The natural high was amazing, and we can't wait to do it again next year.

-Golden Rhinos