Gift of Love for Black Men

Black Men Need Love and Support Too…

The centuries-old American tradition of police shooting and killing black males suffered an untraditional jolt in April when former cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty and convicted on all counts for murdering George Floyd by kneeling on the unarmed, handcuffed man’s neck for more than nine minutes.

https://newsone.com/playlist/black-men-boy-who-were-killed-by-police/ 

 Black men are treated disproportionately worse by the police as evidenced by the countless videos exposing how simple traffic stops end in violent deaths. Black males are being racially profiled and murdered simply for existing in Black skin. Their lives are stolen for walking to get snacks, playing loud music in their car, playing in the park, taking a jog, selling loose cigarettes, and every other non-threatening reason you can think of. Black males have always been under attack, but when does it end? When will Black males be able to exist without state sanctioned violence and live free? I could go on and on, however my goal is not to trigger or re-traumatize anyone. I also know we must stay vigilant in the quest for racial justice and avoid becoming desensitized and numb to what is still happening to Black males in the Twin Cities, nationally and globally.  

 During the first week of the Derek Chauvin Trial for the brutal murder of George Floyd, my Hope & Healing Counseling Services phone was ringing nonstop with Black men saying, “I’m tired of this… I am tired of being racially profiled, tired of being followed through department stores, tired of false accusations of inappropriate behavior on the job and being suspended and/or fired without investigation, I’m tired of struggling to find a livable wage job and suitable housing, tired of discrimination in every area… I am tired of the police killing us in cold blood and getting away with it. I need to come in and talk to someone before I lose my mind….”and the phone has not stopped ringing. Many of these men didn’t have health insurance and/or could not afford the deductible/co-payment, but I chose to allow them to receive services in spite of.

On top of fielding these calls and getting the men the help, they needed. I had been feeling overwhelmed with an array of emotions because of my personal experiences as well as the transference of trauma as I am on the front lines leading many of the marches, rallies, and protests. Fortunately, I have developed skills to help cope with all of this and yet, I was struggling too. So, I can not only imagine what other Black men were experiencing who have not developed the necessary coping skills. I could hear the desperation in their voices during the calls and see the pain in their faces and bodies at the marches, rallies, and protests.

I believe that we all need something to lift our spirit. I also believe Black men in particular need to feel seen, heard, loved, valued, and appreciated on Father’s Day. I am asking you to join me in doing something to send a positive message of love and support to Black men in the Twin Cities which is ground zero for what we call the new Civil Rights movement, the epicenter for racial justice.  

My name is Marques Armstrong, mental health practitioner and owner of Hope & Healing Counseling Services, LLC, CEO of a new Men’s fashion clothing line called Renaissance, co-founder and member of the Racial Justice Network, activist, freedom fighter, and Deacon at Zion Baptists Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor Brian C. Herron.

I have created what I call The Gentleman’s Bag especially curated for Black Men. This bag is one way to show Black men some love, so they feel seen, heard, loved, valued, and appreciated. The Gentleman’s Bag is an amazing messenger bag filled with phenomenal men’s clothing accessories and the products listed below:

·      Catrice Jackson’s latest book entitled, BLACK COUCH CONVERSATIONS: Let’s talk about Black Love (19.99)

·      Tie or bow tie ($25)

·      Matching belt, wallet, and keychain ($25)

·      Genuine leather/Lava stone bracelet ($20)

·      Coordinated pair of casual socks ($8)

·      Pair of Fashion forward shades ($25)

·      Matching Ivy Hat ($25)

·      Messenger/Computer bag ($35)

·      Men’s Grooming Kit ($35)

·      Renaissance Lapel pin ($10)

·      Image Renewal Beard Oil & Renaissance Body Butter ($30)

This Gentlemen’s Bag is valued at $257.99, however I am looking to have each one of you sponsor bags for only $150 per bag. My goal is to be able to bless 500 Black men this coming Father’s Day with this wonderful gift of love to lift their spirits, by not just telling them, but showing them that they are valued and appreciated. This gift of $150 will serve to not only do that, but you will also be supporting a Black business owner. In addition to those things, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hope & Healing Counseling Services to cover cost for therapeutic programs and services that assist the men in the on their journey of healing spiritually, mentally, and physically (holistically).

Please contribute to this LOVE fund to put your love for Black men in motion. You can contribute $150 to cover the cost of a Gentleman’s Bag or whatever you can to support this love initiative. Thanks in advance for your support. Please contribute generously and share widely.

When you donate you will also receive a custom Renaissance lapel pin to wear proudly showing that you support the empowering and healing of the Black community through Black Men. As Mrs. Jackson has said, The Revolution will be LOVE.

 You can order a copy of Mrs. Jackson book on amazon here.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Couch-Conversations-Lets-About/dp/0983839891/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?dchild=1&qid=1618847876&refinements=p_27%3ACatrice%20M%20Jackson&s=books&sr=1-8&fbclid=IwAR0fr6H4JCu572q4XA9yb9bGPQIB1_B8rmKaaBMl7zfw5T8NzdnZX7wugDU 

 

Here is some of the media coverage of the work we are doing.

Coverage of Iron Sharpening Iron


Coverage of My Brothaz Keepers


 

To learn more about Hope & Healing Counseling Services, LLC please click the link below.

https://love-hope-healing.com/


Marques Armstrong, MHP
President & CEO
 
Attended Brown Institute & Metropolitan State University and has 20 years of experience serving the community through multiple businesses that he successfully operated in the Twin Cities. This experience has assisted in me gaining a breadth of knowledge and experience in developing and implementing business strategies that help to create revenue growth, increase staff capacity, and streamline the day to day business operations within businesses and organizations.

Additionally, Mr. Armstrong gained a wealth of experience working with youth and families in the capacities of mental health case manager, mental health practitioner, youth and family advocate, and youth counselor and group facilitator. By carefully and methodically tuning in to the needs of each individual, He learned the importance of listening with my entire being and working to build relationships.

Mr. Armstrong previously served as a child development technician and behavioral specialist for Minneapolis Public Schools. He was also the facilitator for the Men of Zion, Young Dad’s Program and a member of the Minneapolis Public Schools Mental Health Collaborative, ensuring service coordination across social service organizations and agencies. He is a trained community organizer and public policy advocate and have stood on the front lines in the fight for justice, police reform, equality and human rights.  Mr. Armstrong also served as Program Director for a housing agency that served men who experienced and/or were at risk of long term homelessness.