Because the story of every generation and every culture deserves to be told.
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the bold and gritty blog
Heal Black Man
Milwaukee native Harry Evans, a 33-year-old entrepreneur, has made it his mission to build community and raise awareness for Black men's mental health. With his Heal Black Man movement, he creates spaces for vulnerability, fosters healthy coping mechanisms, and tears down walls built by stigma.
The next Black Panther is a Real-life Cowboy and Super hero.
If anyone is destined to inspire the type of pride that uplifted our community following Marvel’s Black Panther release . . . Brandon Alexander tops the list with his innate ability to positively influence others.
Camping is for White People…
Duane (Wayne) Lewis is a young adventurer from Detroit, Michigan. He is the founder of BIG CAMP—an organization dedicated to breaking down stereotypes of what campers look like. Big Camp creates opportunities for Black and Brown people to experience the positive impact of nature on their physical and spiritual health.
The Progressive Darkness
Carl Binger is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of the Surviving Depression group. It is Carl’s mission to bring awareness to the perils of depression, having experienced depression himself. He hopes to break the stigma associated with mental illness, particularly in Black and Brown communities.
Live, Learn, (Apologize)
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Bryan Vincent Redmond is a summa cum laude graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana who is working to restore the independence, self-esteem, and humanity of stroke survivors.
Resolute Confidence
What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Demetrius uses his platform to encourage and promote entrepreneurship in black and brown communities. Through his real estate business, he provides both affordable housing and retail space in underserved neighborhoods. He is also the co-founder of Bubby's BBQ and Hyde Venues.
Mental Health Should not be a Death Sentence
Quajay Donnell is a Rochester, NY based photographer and writer, who is passionate about highlighting and championing what’s important to him and his family about their community.
Cultivating Resilience is a Journey
David is a senior neurosurgery resident, husband, father, and founder of Bold & Gritty coffee. For David, cultivating resilience is a life-long mental health journey.
This, Too, Shall Pass
Calvin is the founder of 540WMain, Inc., a non-profit e-Learning company for antiracist education. He is an adjunct faculty member at St. John FIsher College and sits on the disparities Solutions Advisory Council with the U.S. Pain Foundation.
Mav·er·ick (NOUN) - An independent-minded person
Maverick is the founder and creator of Made By Mav Design Company. He is a Rochester, NY native. Through vivid and relatable imagery, he inspires others to do, “whatever it is that they want to do and to be great at it.” He is the definition of Bold and Gritty.
Black-owned Coffee Brand Named Top Ten Semifinalist
Bold and Gritty Coffee was just selected as one of 10 semi-finalists for the UPS Store and Inc. Magazine Small Biz Challenge. This is an opportunity to compete for $25,000 and a featured article in Inc. Magazine. Vote now to help us advance to the final round.
Multicultural Therapist and Entrepreneur at Heart
Samuel Jones is an avid community engager — a trained multicultural therapist and entrepreneur by heart. He attributes his success to three things that he says must work in tandem; his faith, love for family, and service to others.
The Mentality Mentor
Dubbed the “Mentality Mentor,” Wes walks alongside student athletes to help them break down the mental barriers that have gotten in the way of them becoming better athletes and people.
Black-Owned Coffee Brand and a Local Café Making a Difference
When David Paul, a Black neurosurgery resident and the founder of Bold and Gritty, met Gavin Jenkins, the director of wholesale coffee purchasing at New City Café in Rochester, New York – they immediately connected over a shared interest in coffee and community development.
The First Black Surgeon trained in Rochester, New York.
This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the University of Rochester’s first acceptance of a Black man to the School of Medicine (Edwin Robinson, MD 45’) – a monumental feat made possible by legislation threatening to take away the University’s tax-exempt status for openly refusing to train Black physicians and nurses.
Healing is a journey to wholeness
“Although I cannot save the world at one time, I believe in the philosophy of helping one person at a time until every person is accounted for.” -Jonathan Lawrence.
Music on my mind
Randy Gist is a performing artist and composer based out of Los Angeles California who has made a career out of composing, producing, and orchestrating music for film, videogame, and television trailers and promos.
Lessons from the Basketball Court
“Hustle” is the word that best describes Daniel Snead’s tenacity and zeal for life. Daniel is the founder and digital creator of “The Hustle Bone” podcast, and “Just Hoop” clothing brand.
Insatiable Appetite for Learning
“If you let yourself stop learning, then you must not be expecting to go anywhere new.” —Tory McAlister. Tory and his wife, Michelle, are co-founders of Really Good Wood Co—a custom furniture and hardwoods company in Chicago, Illinois. He is an Engineering Project Manager and also a coach for a top youth track team in the Chicagoland area.
Rocket Fuel for Your Dreams
Recognizing the significance of being a Black physician, Italo eagerly sought acceptance into medical school – facing 144 rejection letters along the way. Never losing faith, he used the rejections as the “rocket fuel” he needed to explode towards his dreams.
The story of every generation and every culture deserves to be told.
We highlight successful Black Men ages 18-40, who embody what it means to be Bold and Gritty. If you or someone you know embodies these core values and would like to use our platform to shine a light on #Blackmale excellence and encourage future Bold and Gritty men fill out an application here.