I was invited to Village Connect to document an intergenerational, male focused support group. Village Connect’s vision is, “A family and community strengthened by its deep commitment to social justice by means of empowerment, connection, and greater effort towards self development.”
The evening was organized into group and one-on-one discussions that served to nurture the connection between boys and elders. The boys in the room had powerful questions and equally powerful energy. The room was a safe space for whatever needed to be said or supported.
The space provided by the elders gave the young people the opportunity to relax and reflect. As an observer the safe space appeared to go beyond the physical room to extend the level of safety the boys felt in sharing with and listening to men that looked like them and could relate to them. These spaces seem critical and fundamental for serving and healing Black boys and men in our communities.