The document outlines how to build a "Black Men Speak" group for promoting wellness and recovery in communities of color. It describes the mission of Black Men Speak as informing the public about issues facing African American men with mental health and substance abuse challenges. The group shares members' stories to promote healing from stigma and increase wellness. The document provides biographies of founding members and describes how the group developed from a consumer champions pool, gaining community support and presenting to various venues to share experiences and encourage others.

1. How to Build a
"Black Men Speak" or "Men of Color Group"
for Wellness and Recovery in Your
Community
BLACK MEN SPEAK, Inc
Alameda County - California
Alternatives Austin
December 6, 2013

2. BLACK MEN SPEAK
 Mission Statement
The mission of Black Men Speak is to inform and enlighten the mental
health community and the general public about issues concerning African
American males with mental health and substance abuse challenges
through a speakers bureau.
Our goal is to work toward healing the African American community
from stigma, discrimination and trauma by sharing our stories, thereby
promoting and increasing wellness, recovery and freedom.
 Clip of group singing the mission statement ?

3. BLACK MEN SPEAK
Presenters
Joe Anderson – Chairman & MC BMS
 3 years Board of Directors - ACNMHC
 Brian Hill – Secretary 3 years CEO/ Founder
The B.O.S.S. A Solution the Promotes You
 Harry Caldwell – 4 years Peers Outreach Liaison
 Katrina Killian Executive Director -ACNMHC

4. Joe Anderson
 How I found Black Men Speak
 List challenges in life - Recovery is Real, Substance abuse & Alcohol
 Defining moment - Divorce (20 Years) & Crack
 Lessons learned - Change Negative Relationships & Inspire Others
 Recovery story - 2009 entered Treatment at Options Recovery
Services

5. Harry Caldwell
 Recovery is Real
 List challenges in life – Depression, Low Self Esteem, Substance
Abuse
 Defining moment – Homeless at 50
 Lessons learned –
 100% Responsibility for the quality of my life.
 Defined by my choices
 Principles of faith and hope not doubt and fear

6. Brian Hill
 Bi-Polar Disorder - Uncover, Discover & Recover
 http://bit.ly/18ozBhe
 List challenges in life - Parents Divorce (1968) Depression - (11-13)
 Defining moment –Married May 21 1977 Mania – (17 & 18)
 Lessons learned – Illness did not go Shifted to (AAIP) – (18-Present)
 Accomplishments –Achieved: 36.5 years married 3 Adult Children
 Wellness & Recovery – Overcame Stigma unfair responses to decisions I made in
life.
 Now I helping others through http://briansonlinesuccessservices.info technology
…”A Solution That Promotes You”… helping others with branding / marketing.

7. In the Beginning…..
 The Pool of Consumer Champions
 Components
 Important Committees: Criminal Justice, African
American Male Issues
 The Development of BLACK MEN SPEAK

8. Pool of Consumer Champions
 The History of the development of the POCC
 Alameda County - MHSA Funds – 2004 System Changes
 Jay Mahler Consumer Relations Manager Vision for POCC Aug
2006
 POCC Committees 12 committees developed

9. Pool of Consumer Champions
The Development of BLACK MEN SPEAK
 Supportive Structure
 Community Buy-in/ Leadership from within
 Behavioral Health Care Allies / Leadership support
 Dr. Mary Thomas – Director of ACBHCS
 Gigi Crowder – Ethnic Services Director / African American Utilization
Report
 Consumer Leadership – Sally Zinman & Jay Mahler
 Consumer Providers – Steven Bucholtz, Jaleah Winn

10. Pool of Consumer Champions
 Consultation and Facilitation Training/Support (TOP)
 Facilitation Training
 Technology of Participation

11. BLACK MEN SPEAK
 Founding Members
 DeWitt Buckingham & Darnell Livingston
 http://bit.ly/Vwbpm7 and http://bit.ly/18oss0t
 Membership – 6-12 consistent members since 2009
 Recruitment – Word of Mouth & Online Marketing
 Time Commitments Meetings 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Month

12. BLACK MEN SPEAK
In the Present…
 Social Media http://blackmenspeak.net
 Online Community Outreach- http://bit.ly/18osRzV
 Speak to variety of venues - http://bit.ly/1coDTJZ
 Tulare Experience - http://bit.ly/1jriuTV

13. BLACK MEN SPEAK
Continued…
Community Allies - PEERS http://www.peersnet.org ACBHCS, -
http://bit.ly/18owWEl
HHREC - http://www.hhrec.org/
10x10 Campaign - http://www.alamedacounty101x10.org
ACNMHC -http://bit.ly/1gb1X6J
Business Plan, 501 C 3 information and Documentation -
http://bit.ly/1gb281W
How do you utilize Marketing & Branding to raise funds and brand your
presence on and Off line - http://blackmenspeak.net/bms-store-2

14. BLACK MEN SPEAK
 Open Discussion & Q & A
 Evaluation

15. Contact US!
BLACK MEN SPEAK
 Individual Contact info:
 Joe Anderson - joelanderson49@gmail.com
 Harry Caldwell - hcaldwell@peersnet.org
 Brian Hill - localmarketingtheboss@gmail.com
 Support Black Men Speak -
http://www.smashsolutions.com/?ref=5816