When I was 14 years old, I felt lost. I was holding so much pain, anger, and grief and I thought I had to hold it all by myself. Journeymen gave me the opportunity to consciously step into my journey to manhood. Role models and elders supported and empowered me to become the best version of myself. I was given tools to understand and harness my emotions, tools to stay accountable, and I was empowered to be the author of my own story. More than anything, Journeymen helped me turn my pain and hurt into a gift. After receiving this gift, I knew that I had to give back to the community. My give back is to give the gift I was given to as many young men as I possibly can. Will you help me do that?
For the last 9 years, I’ve served as a Journeymen Champion in many different roles. I’ve been an advocate, cheerleader, mentor, weekend leader, board member, and, starting in 2019, the executive director. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this organization. It has been an anchor for me in making the world a better place. It would mean the world if you’d join me by donating time, money or energy to further our mission and impact in the world.
BIG PICTURE, I interpret our vision and mission with Journeymen as a tremendous step towards increasing the resiliency of the human race. Upstream from violence and hatred there are often hurting boys. Our goal is to raise up a generation of men and young men who are more self-aware, more connected with their communities, and more in touch with their emotions. If we are successful, the next generation of men in our region will be men of integrity who belong to and support the community. We will have reversed the trend of generational emotional poverty and replaced the identities of toxic masculinity, and the harm they perpetuate, with a mature and caring masculine identity.
I believe that by focusing on helping boys grow into men of integrity, our society will mature. We will become wiser and more caring. I believe that they will show up for, teach, and learn with the next generation and that we will begin to restore a lineage of care and compassion.
When I look at the young men who’ve graduated from our program, I see these J-men alumni as leaders in their communities. I see men and young men who have articulated a story about themselves and the world that creates more hope, connection, and compassion. J-men help and care for their elders. They respect and protect women. They have a desire to help those who are oppressed. They care deeply about protecting the Earth and they understand that they are to be good stewards of what we have.
When we started Journeymen, it was a couple of caring men hoping to positively change their sons, families, and inner circles. Since then, we’ve expanded our circle and community far beyond what we thought was possible. Will you join our circle and help us take the next step? Will you help us create a healthy community for boys and men in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Charleston, Winston Salem, Asheville, and beyond?!
As Frederick Douglass said, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
