Rising from the Shadows: Navigating Trauma, Success, and Survival in the Lives of Black Men

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (Photo Credit: The Cable Show/Flickr). By Robert H. Marshall Jr.& Black men in America have built empires, led revolutions and risen to power, but their successes often come with a heavy burden. They face internal fears, traumas and demons often rooted in transgenerational trauma and societal expectations, all while pursuing “the dream.”& Despite their success, they frequently encounter unrelenting conflict and face denial of healing. Every Black man’s struggle is about rising and staying whole and true, as the truth is that success does not eliminate internal conflicts or traumas but rather amplifies them. “More money, more problems,” as the Notorious B.I.G. masterfully summed it up. — Robert H. Marshall Jr.& Success is more than a destination—it is a journey, a climb through valleys of adversity, mountains of triumph and sometimes, deep, dark shadows. For Black men in America, this climb is rarely straightforward. It’s not just about reaching the top; it’s about surviving the weight that comes with each step.& Whether standing on the mountaintop of justice like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X or reigning in the worlds of music, business, and entertainment like Sean “Diddy” Combs, R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, Kanye West,...