Too many Black men are walking around feeling like they arenât enough, not smart enough, not successful enough, not chosen enough. â
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The rejection, the gatekeeping, the social media narratives that pit us against our sistersâŚit weighs heavy.â
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But you are enough.â
As you are.â
Right now.â
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Your journey is not delayed.â
Your purpose is not denied.â
Your worth is not determined by who validates you.â
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Black man, you are seen.â
You are valued.â
You are necessary.â
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Keep growing. Keep healing. Keep showing up.â
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Your story is still unfolding, and it is powerful beyond measure.â
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â Eric Keith, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Quintessential Gentleman
Black men. Harlem. Legacy.
Two days after our historic Black dandyism photo shoot, we gathered at The Victoria in Harlem for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead, create, and thrive as Black men today.
What unfolded was more than just dialogueâit was a personal exchange on entrepreneurship, defining what Black men truly need, and a reminder that collaboration is the new currency.
The roundtable featured Eric Keith, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of âThe Quintessential Gentlemanâ; Silas Cooper, star of Bravoâs âSummer House: Marthaâs Vineyardâ; John Powell, Lifestyle Curator; and Dr. Kells Barnett, Harlem native, fashion designer, and founder of the iconic 5001 Flavors.
Check out the feature: link in bio. #TheQuintessentialGentleman
Photogrpaher: @jmnroe of @monroe.media
Photo Shoot Coordinator: @TheeChristopherLeon
The Quintessential Gentlemanâs lens on Laz Alonso and Jessie T. Usher.
Two Black men from the DMV with parallel journeys through Hollywood.
Editor-in-Chief @ItsEricKeith â
Creative Director: @Beyene__ â
Photographer: @Rashida â zagon
Stylist: @TheStylistGuy â
Groomer: @BrownShugadoll â
Videographer: @LeefParks â
Graphic Designer: @Pamiibug
An event honoring Black men who support children with autism is my kind of event.
Shoutout to Deidre Price for creating @jaycesjourneyinc in an effort to break the stigma around children with autism.
âNewbornâ is a devastating, necessary masterpiece.â
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In Nate Parkerâs third feature film, David Oyelowo delivers a haunting, masterful performance as Chris Newborn, a man grappling with the agonizing trauma of solitary confinement after stepping up to take the fall for his brother.
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Starring alongside a magnetic breakout performance by Olivia Washington, the film skips the romanticized prison yard tropes and dives straight into the psychological warfare of the justice system and the toll it takes on a Black family trying to heal.â
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Distributed through their own Mansa Studios, Oyelowo and Parker aren't just looking for Hollywood accolades. â
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They built a 93-minute empathy machine tied to a robust advocacy campaign to end solitary confinement for good.â
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It is an uncomfortable, humanizing film that will leave you fundamentally changed.â
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Read our full review: link in bio. #TheQuintessentialGentleman
We often hear about âdaddy issuesâ when it comes to women, but the truth is... young Black boys carry âfather wounds,â too.
Ryan DeForeestâs short film, My Brother & Me, resonated with me on a personal level.
During our interview, we unpacked how this specific trauma manifests in young men.
In the film, you see the older brother, Malik, trying to navigate his life but constantly hurting from the lack of attention, love, and the ultimate abandonment of his father.
Thank God for therapy!
Check out our conversation and the short film: link in bio.
@TheTruthAwards owes me absolutely nothing!â¨â¨The entire night was exceptionally produced and beautifully executed. A few of my absolute favorite highlights from the night: â¨â¨The Whitney Houston Medley... whew, the singers SANG! â¨â¨Sheryl Lee Ralph is exactly who she thinks she is: beautiful, grand, and absolutely hilarious.â¨â¨Hearing the legendary Jenifer Lewis speak in person. You truly canât help but feel empowered.â¨â¨Watching Durand Bernarr get his well-deserved flowers! â¨â¨Seeing Black media powerhouses like Don Lemon and Carlos King being honored.
â¨Congratulations to all of the incredibly deserving awardees.
Thank you, Scott, Vincent, @iamjoecarnell and @BetterBrothersLA for the invite.â¨
The Truth Awards definitely gained a new regular, they will be seeing me again next year!
đ¸ @JeremiahShoots
While casually scrolling through TikTok recently, I stopped on a clip that showed something I had never seen on screen before.
Two young Black boys were engaging in a sweet, awkward flirtation, playfully trying to figure out when they were going to ride bikes together.
Watching from afar, the older brother of one of the boys doesnât judge, dismiss, or shut it down.
Instead, he simply checks in and offers the exact same protective, âsuaveâ advice he would give if Terrence liked girls.
It is a refreshing and beautiful departure from the on-screen tropes we are so used to seeing.
But the story goes even deeper, showing that âBlack boys have daddy issues too.â
@mybrotherandmefilm follows the brothers as they attempt to secure overdue child support from their distant father. Even while dealing with his own anger toward their father, the older brother never wavers in showing up for his little brother.
Shout out to @deforeest for crafting such a beautiful story. Watch the full short film: link in bio.
