Black men continue to show their ‘vulnerable’ side during summit at the AWAACC

SOME OF THE BLACK MEN AT THE “REAL MEN, REAL TALK” SESSION, HELD, JAN. 14, AT THE AWAACC. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO) Mental and physical health is top of mind & With every passing week, it seems like there’s another meeting, or a forum, or a seminar, meant to unite Black men and allow them to just…be vulnerable. The African American Male Wellness Agency, which was started in Columbus, Ohio, has made its way to Pittsburgh. Some know the group from its inaugural wellness walk that was held last summer at Westinghouse Park in Point Breeze, where 300 people in attendance came out, and roughly 140 men were signed up for free doctor’s appointments. On Jan. 14, 2025, the organization held a “Real Men, Real Talk” session at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. A few dozen Black men coming together on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday evening, but for a formidable cause. “If we don’t come together and start dealing with these internal battles as a whole, especially as Black men, then we won’t be able to help our Black women, our Black kids and our Black communities,” voiced Meleak Potter, one of the Black men in attendance. Potter,...