This week’s guest is Martin Henson, activist and Executive Director of the BMEN Foundation, an organization that is focused on providing community and support for issues specific to black men.

The founding of BMEN came out of looking at the way men in general were responding to MeToo and the need for a conversation that focused on the experience of black men and the subjects of consent, experiencing sexual harm themselves and holistically looking at the new landscape. 

BMEN has strived to be inclusive of all black men doing work to make sure that the conversation isn’t just around the heteronormative experiences but also work with the queer and transgender community. 

Martin earned his Master’s degree in counselling and did that as a practice before moving into activism. We discuss why he made that transition in this episode. For a while, he was an activist with Black Lives Matter and then moved on to practice more restorative justice.

Growing up in the church had a huge impact in how was taught to treat other people. His father was a pastor. He also went to community centres and his mom currently runs one. Stepdad taught him to be of service and also about black history. We talk about navigating his upbringing in the South and in churches to come together with his values now.

In this chat, we also discuss how self-care plays a big role for Martin as he engages in emotionally difficult work. Don’t miss this episode.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Martin Henson is a world shaker. He has taken his skills as a counselor, his life experiences and his interest in justice and equality and brought them together into the organization he founded. His life is filled with leaning into difficult conversations for the greater good. In editing and listening back, I was again inspired by him and I am proud to share his message and grateful he shared it with me.

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Find Martin

Martin’s Website: https://www.martinhspeaks.com/

Martin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tillwefree

Martin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-henson-06325b63/ 

BMEN Foundation: https://bmenfoundation.org/ 

BMEN Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMENFoundation

BMEN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMENfoundation/ 

BMEN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BMENFoundation/ 

BMEN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmen-foundation/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ 

Transgender Emergency Fund: https://transemergencyfund.org/ 

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