Renaissance Man Book Club

Two and a half years into starting my career in Dallas, I found myself lost. After spending a year and a half in lockdown in a new city, I was struck with daily news of societal tragedies that forced me to confront the harsh realities of existing in my skin. I realized I needed help, along with so many others.

But the reality of being a man, and a black man at that, meant that this help would be harder to find. When it comes to the mental health of men, the stats are alarming. The NIH reports men are 75% more likely to commit suicide than women, 75% more likely to suffer from substance abuse than women, 70% more likely to commit violent crimes than women; all the while being 12% less likely to seek help. The late bell hooks summarizes this by saying “The first act of violence the patriarchy demands of men is that they commit acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves…”

Spaces dedicated to the wellness of men and black men in particular are few and far in-between. Having felt the need for a community of men with whom I could navigate the difficulties of life is what led me to start the Renaissance Man Book Club, a Dallas-based book club and 501c3 non-profit seeking to bridge the gap between academia and entertainment surrounding the holistic wellness of black men. During our biweekly book club, we’ve fostered a close-knit community centered around tackling challenging topics like toxic masculinity, self-love, & preserving our mental health. We’ve seen so much growth by challenging one another intellectually to talk through the works of authors like bell hooks, Don Miguel Ruiz, Paulo Coelho and more. The impact this space has on us is what led to the development of our Barbershop Talk series, a reoccurring event inviting the community into the conversation in a way that speaks directly to our shared experiences as black men. In the last 6 months alone, we’ve pulled together over 80 local men alongside therapists to discuss topics pertaining to our walk as men while also providing a platform for other locally black-owned businesses and black artists to come share their craft.

We believe that all men deserve a safe space like this regardless of socioeconomic status. It’s our desire to keep this event free and accessible to all. Your support would help provide access to a man who desires to be in community with other men, to learn, to grow, and to heal.

More About Our Purpose